As Andrea Stanley reminds us in her Shape Magazine's Healthy Eating Blog,
we probably already know about the beauty-boosting benefits of coconut oil, but the exotic-scented oil's health perks are equally as appealing. Various studies cite its ability to do everything from losing extra calories easily to increase your metabolism.
And as Franziska Spritzler’s 20 Effective Tips to Lose Belly Fat (Backed by Science)’s article explains, doing something as simple as just replacing some of the cooking fats in your favorite recipes can help eliminate that stubborn belly fat.
Coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats you can eat. A jar of coconut oil and a teaspoon is all that you need to begin the road to healthier recipes.
Studies show that the medium-chain fats in coconut oil may boost metabolism and decrease the amount of fat you store in response to high-calorie intake.
Controlled studies suggest it may also lead to abdominal fat loss.
In one study, obese men who took coconut oil daily for 12 weeks lost an average of 1.1 inch (2.86 cm) from their waists without intentionally changing their diets or exercise routines.
To boost belly fat loss, it’s best to take about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil per day, which is the amount used in most of the studies reporting good results.
However, keep in mind that coconut oil is still high in calories. Instead of adding extra fat to your diet, replace some of the fats you are already eating with coconut oil.
Avoid Foods That Contain Trans Fats and Substitute Coconut Oil Instead
Margarine trans fats are created by pumping hydrogen into unsaturated fats such as soybean oil. They’re found in some margarines and spreads, and they’re also added to some packaged foods.These fats have been linked to inflammation, heart disease, insulin resistance and abdominal fat gain in observational and animal studies.
A 6-year study found that monkeys who ate a high-trans-fat diet gained 33% more abdominal fat than monkeys that ate a diet high in monounsaturated fat (10). To help reduce belly fat and protect your health, read ingredient labels carefully and stay away from products that contain trans fats. These are often listed as “partially hydrogenated” fats.
According to Suzannah Weiss’s April 2016 article for Glamour magazine How to Use Coconut Oil in Recipes, the value and the simplicity of this easy fix is a no brainer.
"Coconut oil...is a type of fat that is actually utilized by the body to make energy," said clinical nutritionist Ariane Hundt. "Unlike other saturated fats, coconut oil is not an artery-clogging type of fat but rather a medium-chain fatty acid that the body burns off to generate energy. It's also antimicrobial and antifungal and, as such, a fantastic oil to add to your diet." And though the research is still in its infancy, coconut oil also may boost metabolism and decrease appetite, according to registered dietitian Abbey Sharp.
As if that weren't enough, coconut oil produces ketones, the brain's second-favorite form of energy, which makes it good for brain health, said naturopathic physician Meagan Purdy. Ketones also tend to burn fat but not muscle tissue, which makes coconut oil ideal for building strength.
The best part? You don't need to be a nutrition expert or foodie to make use of this trendy superfood. In next week’s blog, we will look at a few low-investment, high-return ways to incorporate coconut oil into your diet.
