Unless you live under a rock you may have noticed the craze around coconut oil. Coconut oil is finally getting recognition for its many health benefits and uses.

Coconut oil is rich in immune boosting fat lauric acid (aka the super healthy fats found in human breast milk). Coconut oil also supports thyroid health and increases good cholesterol and lowers abdominal obesity.

In fact, there are several studies on coconut oil and it’s effect on metabolism. Instead of being stored as fat, the calories contained in Medium Chain Triglycerides are very efficiently converted into fuel for immediate use by the body. According to this study, researchers assembled 40 female volunteers between the ages of 20 and 40 who suffered from abdominal obesity. A double-blind clinical trial put coconut oil versus soybean oil to the test. Over a 12-week period, the women were given a daily dietary supplement consisting of 30 millimeters of either soybean oil or coconut oil.

Coconut Oil vs Soybean Oil

At the end of the 12-week study, the researchers found that the women who were given the coconut oil experienced:

• Significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference
• Increase in “good” HDL cholesterol
• Decreased LDL/HDL ratio

These results were not found in the group that was given soybean oil.

The authors concluded:

“It appears that dietetic supplementation with coconut oil does not cause dyslipidemia [an abnormal amount of cholesterol and/or fat in your blood] and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity.”

How To Get More Coconut Oil Into Your Diet

One of the things I love most about coconut oil is that it tastes amazing and is pretty easy to add to your diet. Once you start cooking with it, you’ll find it isn’t hard at all to get the recommended 2-3 tablespoons into your diet.

Coconut oil is ideal for cooking since it has a high smoke point of 350 degrees and 400 degrees if you use refined coconut oil (read more about how to cook with coconut oil here).

Virgin coconut oil is a better choice because it’s less refined and pure. If you’re not a fan of your food tasting like coconut, you can use expeller pressed coconut oil. You’ll want to make sure that the expeller pressed coconut oil is processed without solvents or chemicals. Read more about how to choose the best coconut oil here.

Below is a list of some of my favorite coconut oil recipes. Enjoy!

25+ Coconut Oil Recipes

Coconut Oil Recipes: Beverages 

1. Metabolism Boosting Coconut Oil Coffee

Coconut Oil Recipes: Snacks

2. Coconut Oil Popcorn

3. Coconut Butter Buttons

4. Coconut Oil Tortilla Chips

5. Homemade Coconut Oil French Fries

Coconut Oil Recipes: Desserts

6. Coconut Oil Fudge

7. Homemade Magic Shell for Ice Cream

8. No Bake Coconut Oil Cookies

9. Coconut Oil Chocolate Bars

10. Coconut Almond Joy Candy

11. Chocolate Coconut Butter Bars

12. Homemade Chocolate Chips

Coconut Oil Recipes: Main Dish

13. Creamy Coconut Oatmeal

14. Coconut Chicken Fingers

15. Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

16. Coconut Shrimp

Coconut Oil Recipes: Condiments, Spreads and Sauces

17. Coconut Oil Mayonnaise

18. Coconut Peanut Butter

19. Macadamia Nut Butter

20. Homemade “Nutella” Spread

21. Coconut Butter Spread

Coconut Oil Recipes: Baked Goods

22. Coconut Flour Muffins

23. Homemade Granola Bars

24. Coconut Cinnamon Cereal

25. Coconut Flour Bread

26. Coconut Flour Pie Crust

Coconut Oil Recipes: Natural Remedies

27. Honey and Lemon Cough Syrup with Coconut Oil

28. Homemade Cough Drops

Sources

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19437058

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12805394

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12634436

Tiffany - The Coconut Mama

I’m a mama of three beautiful coconuts and they are the reason I named my website, The Coconut Mama. I’m passionate about traditional and healing foods. As a true believer in the health benefits of coconut, I use coconut products in all my recipes. I share my tutorials and recipes on my site with the hope of helping others to live healthier lives – with coconut!

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