Coconut Oil Benefits Vs Disadvantages by Laura Ng

If you already knew about how coconut oil benefits your health, then all the more you should learn about how coconut oil's health benefits can turn into disadvantages, if you use it in the wrong way. Knowing this will help you become mindful of using coconut oil, so that you can avoid the undesirable effects it may bring to you.

From Curing Constipation (Benefits) to Triggering Diarrhea (Disadvantage)

Some people use coconut oil to help them improve their bowel movement to cure constipation. But some coconut oil eaters get diarrhea-like effect after eating coconut oil, why?

Needless to say, coconut oil's abundant supply of soluble fiber is exceptionally effective in treating constipation, but if you take an overdose of it, it can be too smooth for your comfort.

If you're new to eating coconut oil or you've stopped it for weeks since your last intake, avoid gulping down 3 tablespoons at one go. Start with one tablespoon in the morning and one at night, then slowly up your intake to 3 - 4 tablespoons daily over the course of 2 weeks. This gives your body ample time to adapt to the positive effect of this healthful oil. At the same time, help you avoid any discomfort that may arise.

From Weight Loss (Benefits) to Weight Gain (Disadvantage)

First, people accused coconut oil of being fattening due to its high saturated fat content (about 90%). But as more and more people become wiser and gain more knowledge about the incredible weight loss benefits of coconut oil, it has now become the staple in those people's weight loss diets. However, eating too much of the oil can make you gain weight once again, why?

Don't forget that as long as you ingest more calories than you expend even from the fat-burning coconut oil, you'll still gain weight. I've seen some tropical islanders who eat 5 - 10 tablespoons of coconut oil looking very radiant in their skin. One of them is a close-to-50-year-old woman having her complexion so smooth I thought she was only in her mid-30s. However, she got a belly to lose.

Having said that, it all depends on how your body responds to the effect of the oil. Some may consume 10 tablespoons (as with the islanders) and stay slim while some only take 5 tablespoons and start to have their stomach sticking out unsightly, blocking their views of their own feet.

For your case, I seriously suggest that you increase your intake of coconut oil progressively, and take down your weight and body fat level every week. If you notice a drop in weight and body fat after 2 weeks, you should then raise by 1 tablespoon and continue testing until you get the perfect amount of coconut oil for your weight loss diet plan. Adding the right quantity in your diet is the key to effective weight loss with coconut oil.

From Health-Promoting (Benefits) to Health-Damaging (Disadvantage)

Although cooking with coconut oil proves 10 times safer than with most other vegetable oils, this health-promoting oil does have its smoke point - at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). You heat it beyond that level, the oil's saturated fatty acid structure will break down, and quickly and easily react with free radicals in the air to form new structure, which will most likely hold trans fat. Trans fat kills your healthy cells and can trigger cancerous and other degenerative diseases.

When you do baking, stir-frying, coconut oil should not pose a problem. But when you want to use it to deep-fry food at high temperature, either you observe carefully to make sure the oil doesn't smoke or use palm oil which carries as much health benefits as coconut oil since they both come from the same palm tree family, but able to withstand relatively higher temperature before breakdown.

Don't take these advices lightly if you're a coconut lover or you'll never reap the most health benefits out of coconut oil.