GreenSmoothieGirl Logo
Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Minutes. Add 10 Years to your life.
Our beautiful template for infinite variety of greens and superfoods in your smoothies—print this and eliminate the need for recipes! Get it now for free!

Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day


Robyn Openshaw - Updated: March 4, 2024 - - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


Photo of open coconut with jar of coconut oil from "top 11 benefits of coconut oil and how to use it every day" by Green Smoothie Girl

Coconut oil is one of my household staples, and for good reason: this amazing food is far more than just a food! There is a vast amount of data on the ways coconut oil benefits your health, and there are endless ways to use it, including for your skin!

In this article:

Benefits of Coconut Oil

I could list hundreds of reasons that coconut oil is a great replacement for “bad fats” in your diet and provide important nutrients, but in general, they all boil down to these top 11 coconut oil benefits:

  • Provides MCTs: Coconut oil is 64% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which quickly burn as energy rather than storing in the body as fat (especially belly fat) like the long-chains. MCTs are quite rare in foods and have massive positive implications for your health. They help with digestion and provide clean fuel for the body. They help balance hormones, including the ones that control your appetite. By speeding up metabolism, MCTs can also help with weight management.
  • Increases efficiency of EFAs: Much has been written about the importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet; your body cannot manufacture EFAs itself and therefore must receive them from food. Although coconut oil itself isn’t a significant source of EFAs, its properties can increase the efficiency of EFAs by as much as 100 percent!
  • Fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi: Coconut oil is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. On more than one occasion, I’ve helped one of my kids quickly get rid of a fungal infection with simple topical application of this powerful oil.
  • Soothes digestion: Coconut oil is easy on the gut because the body doesn’t have to use pancreatic enzymes or bile to digest it. When people start drinking green smoothies or make other nutrition-increasing shifts in their diets, the high fiber can sometimes cause digestive disturbances at first. Adding coconut oil to your meal can help alleviate those symptoms.
  • Makes the most of minerals: Good fats like the ones in coconut oil can increase absorption of minerals found in greens (in your salad or smoothie).

Ad for Ultimate Minerals

  • Helps diabetes: Since coconut oil doesn’t affect blood sugar or insulin levels, it can be ideal for those with diabetes. It’s been shown to improve insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
  • Resists arterial clogging: Unlike some trans fats and animal products high in fat, coconut oil purifies the blood and is highly alkaline. It doesn’t clog arteries, as it’s liquid above 76 degrees.
  • Stays stable for years: Coconut oil is good for 3 years or more, even when stored at room temperature. Compare this to refined oils, like vegetable oil or canola oil, which are already rancid when you buy them.
  • Supplies lauric acid: Another rare feature of coconut oil is that its main component is lauric acid, the powerful antimicrobial, immune-function compound found in breast milk. That’s why baby formula companies use it for fatty acids in formula—it’s the closest they can get to mother’s milk. (Unfortunately, they use an inexpensive processed version of the oil, so the quality leaves a lot to be desired.)
  • Remains healthy when heated: Coconut is the only oil that doesn’t create trans fats even when heated to high temps, so it’s perfect for cooking. (Chapter 4 of 12 Steps to Whole Foods has wonderful recipes using coconut oil.)
  • Fights cravings: Many people use coconut oil to help them control sugar cravings, a huge benefit for those making big changes to their diets.

What Kind of Coconut Oil is Best?

Not all coconut oils are created equal. My recommendation is to look for the words “organic,” “virgin,” and “unrefined.” These designations tell you you’re getting the best flavor and highest retention of antioxidants.

The words “virgin” and “unrefined” are interchangeable in this case; either way, it means that the product is kept at a low heat during the pressing/extracting process and made from fresh coconut as opposed to dried copra (coconut kernels).

photo of Cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil in bottles and coconut processed oil in skincare jars with coconut fruits as background from "Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day" by Green Smoothie Girl

The best coconut oil for all health benefits is organic and unrefined.

What About Saturated Fat in Coconut Oil?

Some people stay away from coconut oil on principle, thinking that since it’s technically a “saturated fat,” it’s no good. This misconception is promoted by a years-long smear campaign, courtesy of the emerging vegetable oil industry, that effectively removed tropical oils from the shelves. They lumped this unprocessed, high-nutrition oil in with partially hydrogenated oils that are truly harmful.

The type of fat in coconut oil, the medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) discussed above, affects cholesterol very differently than other saturated fats. Yes, it can raise LDL (the bad cholesterol), but it actually improves its quality, and also raises HDL (the good cholesterol). In the end, it improves the ratio of LDL to HDL, which is the most important cholesterol-related indicator of heart and vascular health.

Photo of cholesterol word written in wood blocks from "Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day" by Green Smoothie Girl

Coconut oil improves the quality of the bad cholesterol, and raises the good!

This isn’t to say that you can’t eat too much coconut oil; it is high in calories, after all, so a small but consistent amount in your diet is optimal. But this healthy fat is far superior to the fats you’ll find in vegetable and other oils.

How To Use Coconut Oil

Like its benefits, the uses for coconut oil are many and profound. Here are my favorite ways to use it:

Skin Care

Coconut oil is my favorite thing to use on any kind of skin problem or injury. When I had an unfortunate run-in with the sidewalk several years ago and had cuts and scrapes all over my face, coconut oil came to the rescue! I applied it daily and am relieved to say that the injuries healed wonderfully and didn’t scar.

You can also use coconut oil as an all-purpose moisturizer. It works all over the body and keeps the skin hydrated, nourished, and fresh-looking. We spend so much money on serums and lotions that are full of refined oils and chemicals, but coconut oil has them all beat, and it’s so inexpensive!

The best part is that coconut oil soaks into the skin and benefits the body nutritionally just as if you’d eaten it. In fact, I put so much of it on topically that I don’t always concern myself with getting it into my food; the benefit is still there.

Hair Care

You can use coconut oil as a conditioner, a detangler, a hair serum, and a scalp treatment to fight dandruff and stimulate hair growth. It also offers protection from sun damage! I have a lot of long hair and count on coconut oil to keep it healthy.

Woman standing in white bathroom with coconuts on table conditioning her hair from "Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day" by Green Smoothie Girl

Coconut oil helps your scalp stay hydrated and free from dandruff, among other benefits.

My favorite technique is to rub handfuls of coconut oil into my hair before I shower; I’ll sometimes leave it in overnight, putting a stocking cap on to protect my sheets, and then wash it out the next morning. My hair is always wonderfully silky and soft afterwards.

Baking

Try using organic, unrefined coconut oil as a substitute for butter, margarine, shortening, or vegetable oil in any baking recipe. Usually a 1:1 ratio is perfect for the oil or fat you are substituting for.

Measure it in a solid form if you’re replacing a solid (like butter or shortening) and in a liquid form if you’re replacing a liquid (like vegetable oil or melted butter). If your coconut oil is solid and you want it to melt, just put your bucket or bottle of oil into a sink half-full of hot water.

Depending on the other ingredients, you might notice a slight coconut taste, but the health benefits are impressive and well worth any minimal change in flavor. Try it out for yourself with the delicious chocolate birthday cake recipe I raised my kids on!

Sauteing

Coconut oil is the perfect sauteing medium because, unlike other oils, it doesn’t create trans fats at high heats. I love it for sauteing vegetables; it works really well with garlic, onion, and plenty of delicious spices.

Frying

You can use coconut oil in any recipe that calls for frying; the coconut flavor diminishes as it heats up, so the taste of your food should be practically unaffected. And if you’re looking to deep-fry, coconut oil is definitely the healthiest oil you can use.

Homemade Deodorant

Coconut oil works well as a natural alternative to commercial deodorants. Try combining it with baking soda and a pure essential oil like lavender, wild orange, or peppermint. Then, just rub it on with your fingertips.

Photo of coconut oil, lavender and oil, and deodorant ingredients from "Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day" by Green Smoothie Girl

Coconut oil deodorant doesn’t have the added pore-clogging aluminum and smells just as good (or better!)

Oil Pulling

Any article about the benefits of coconut oil would be lacking if it didn’t mention oil pulling. This powerful Ayurvedic tradition is a simple habit, but it’s an incredible detoxifier and contributor to overall health.

Here’s how to try it for yourself: Take a large spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth, preferably first thing in the morning. Swish it around for up to 20 minutes without swallowing or spitting. When you’re done, spit it out in the garbage can (not down the drain) and rinse with water. The coconut oil attracts and traps toxins, freshens breath, gradually whitens teeth, and kills harmful microorganisms in the mouth. Many dentists and doctors (including mine) recommend it for re-mineralizing bone in the teeth, which helps fight tooth decay.

Check out my video demonstrating oil pulling!

screenshot of robyn openshaw pouring oil into container

Favorite Coconut Oil Recipes

I’ve got two quick recipes to share with you, two of my favorite ways to eat coconut oil:

  • GreenSmoothieGirl’s “Almond Joy” Fudge: Put 2 cups each organic, raw agave nectar (found in health food stores) and coconut oil in your turbo blender. Set the blender jar in a sink of hot water for 10 minutes to warm the oil so it can blend easily. Add 1 cup powdered raw chocolate (or unsweetened cocoa) and blend well. Pour into a 9×13 pan and stir in 2 cups each of shredded coconut and chopped or sliced almonds. Chill for several hours, then cut into squares. Easy to freeze for a daily chocolate fix that also supplies your coconut oil!

Photo of chocolate almond fudge with almonds and coconut scattered from "Healthy Holiday Treats" by Green Smoothie Girl

The unsweetened coconut flakes are the finishing touch in my yummy almond joy fudge.

  • Kettle Corn: Liquefy ⅓ cup coconut oil and ⅓ cup agave nectar together, double-boiler style, by putting them in a heavy bowl or jar and submerging them in hot tap water. In a large bowl or brown paper bag, pour the mixture over 3 batches of air-popped organic popcorn. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons Original Himalayan Crystal Salt, then stir or shake well.

 

I hope you’ll make coconut oil a regular part of your diet and personal care. Once you have it on hand, you’ll find yourself using it all the time — and feeling and looking better as a result.

 

Read next: Surprising (And Proven) Uses and Benefits of Castor Oil

Photograph of Robyn Openshaw, founder of Green Smoothie GirlRobyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.

 

 

Photo of open coconut with jar of coconut oil and text overlay of post's title from "top 11 benefits of coconut oil and how to use it every day" by Green Smoothie Girl

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that help support the GSG mission without costing you extra. I recommend only companies and products that I use myself.

Posted in: 12 Steps To Whole Food, Natural Remedies, Recipes, Whole Food

18 thoughts on “Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day”

Leave a Comment
  1. DOLORES OSULLIVAN says:

    great info thanks

  2. Dawn says:

    Thank you Robyn! So much contradicting info on coconut oil! I have cooked with it, put on my skin, briefly done pulling and baked with it, then read it was not really good for you so I minimized my use this year. I will start using more again and reap the benefits

  3. Joanna says:

    SOME OF US CAN’T CONSUME COCONUT OIL==WHAT CAN WE SUBSTITUTE FOR IT?

    1. DRJ says:

      Avocado oil is also healthy and can withstand high temperatures when cooking.

  4. Jeff Kimble says:

    I take a teaspoon of coconut oil a day. I also was told its better aborbed with a little pepper.
    Do you agree with the pepper?

    I appreciate your feedback!

    Thank you

  5. lisa says:

    how much is an average good serving per day? 1, 2 tablespoons, 3 ? how much fo you eat a day personally ?

  6. Ann says:

    I would like to print the info. Sad to say i am unable. Can you tell me what i can do to make this happen?

  7. Lyn Ryan says:

    i’m confused. Dr McDougal published an article today refuting the health benefits of coconut oil. Which is it???

  8. Noma says:

    I make my own skin cream with coconut oil, almond oil and beeswax. Friends also purchase it from me.

  9. Edi says:

    After opening my coconut milk, I store it in a glass container, covered and in the refrigerator. I try not to use plastic.

  10. Robyn says:

    I have heard both positive and negative reports about coconut oil. At first I was dubious, but then was persuaded and later, dissuaded regarding its use. In my own experience, I saw and read reports of people, and in particular, a pediatrician giving a huge heaped spoon of coconut oil in a bowl of porridge to her husband who had Alzheimer’s disease and supposedly a daily dose of this was improving his cognitive abilities. I thought I’d try it once – anything that’s good for the brain! So one heaped spoon of coconut oil went into my bowl of cereal. Well the result was that I had a cloudy brain or brain fog for two days! Never again! Must have been clogging up the tiny little arterioles to the brain tissues and cells besides other organs of the body. When that happens, less oxygen can get through to the cells.
    Then a friend who is also a nurse like myself, was the island nurse for Pitcairn Island a number of years ago for two years. She told me that she became good at diagnosing diabetes because it was so common there. She put the cause down to their very large use of coconut oil.
    So maybe in small amounts it is good but definitely not in large amounts.

    1. sharon franklin says:

      did anyone mention what kind of coconut oil they were using. There are many, many fakes out there. My research showed to make sure it said: organic, virgin, and unrefined. Do not buy in plastic-always in glass. I have been using it off and on for about a year and have had good results. As always, read the label. Make sure you are getting the right kind.

  11. Anto says:

    Dr. Greger says that studies show that saturated facts, coconut oil included, are not healthy facts. It seems there are are two schools of thought about it, but the result is more confusion for common people. Can you help to clarify?

    1. Rose Butler GSG says:

      Hi Anto, sometimes conflicting information out there from reputable sources can be very confusing. Robyn believes coconut oil has many benefits as outlined in the blog above.

  12. Patty says:

    Where can you get coconuts or purest oils that are organic and Non GMO’s
    Every oil I have tried is toxic for me. Any suggestions?

    1. Rose Butler GSG says:

      Hi Patty, have you tried Whole Foods or a local health food store? Make sure to look for the USDA Organic seal or certified nonGMO seal on the label.

  13. Valerie Ruth Young- Williams says:

    Thank you for your very intelligent well researched article about.coconut oil. I had come to my own similar conclusions from hands on experience. The folks who want to keep the smear campaign going are slowly losing ground! BUEN SUERTE SIEMPRE de Mexico!!!

  14. Dave says:

    Just starting tomorrow morning. Thought I might replace butter on 9 seed toast. Might use for cooking salmon also

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Skip to content