Coconut oil is beneficial for your hair and skin. It can make your hair look shinier and your teeth look whiter. You can rub it on your skin as a moisturizer. Coconut oil can be used in so many ways; in fact, many people think eating coconut oil is fine too. Is it really the case? Can you consume it directly? Let's find out now!

Can You Eat Coconut Oil Straight?

Yes, you can do that. In fact, you may get a number of healthy benefits by consuming 2-4 tablespoons of coconut oil a day. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties which come from its lauric acid content. Here are some specific reasons why eating coconut oil straight is good for you.

1. It Helps Lose Weight

Including coconut oil in your diet may help you shed extra pounds more efficiently. It boosts your metabolism and helps burn more calories throughout the day. It also provides you with sustainable energy that keeps hunger pangs at bay. Moreover, it improves your ability to get nutrients from whatever you eat. Coconut oil also helps maintain a good hormonal balance, which helps reduce stress and prevent stress related bloating and overeating.

2. It Helps Build Muscle

Since coconut oil provides you with sustainable energy, you can perform better in the gym. This in turn helps you build more muscle in a short time. Besides improving your endurance, eating coconut oil straight helps improve blood flow to your muscles. This also helps you perform better in the gym. 

3. It Improves Digestion

Coconut oil is good for your digestive system for many reasons. It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, so it works great to eliminate harmful bacteria and other microbes from your gut. It also promotes better absorption of minerals and vitamins. Its anti-inflammatory properties also facilitate better absorption by reducing inflammation caused by food allergies.

4. It Improves Memory and Concentration

Eating a tablespoon of coconut oil first thing in the morning can improve your memory and concentration. Since coconut oil has the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), it provides accessible energy to brain and improves overall cognitive ability.

5. It Helps Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders

Regular consumption of coconut oil prevents Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Your body produces ketones by utilizing coconut oil and provides you with an alternative source of fuel. This improves the ability of your brain cells to process glucose efficiently, which in turn lowers your risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders.

6. It Prevents Urinary Tract Infections

Not drinking enough water may result in dehydration. When you are dehydrated, you are at an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections. Along with drinking more water, including coconut oil in your diet may help prevent urinary tract infections. Since coconut oil also has impressive antibiotic properties, you can use it as a treatment for your urinary tract infection as well.

7. It Boosts Your Oral Health

Eating coconut oil straight from the jar is a way to prevent bad breath and improve overall oral health. Its antimicrobial property makes it effective against odor-causing bacteria. These bacteria secrete a substance called plaque that holds bacteria in place. It also causes food particles to stick to your teeth, which overtime results in staining. Eating coconut oil can help resolve these issues. Simply swishing the oil for 30 seconds and swallowing it will do the trick. 

8. It Soothes Your Sore Throat

Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil works great to soothe your sore throat. Simply drink a glass of water first followed by a tablespoon of coconut oil. The oil will seal in moisture and prevent dryness. Its anti-inflammatory property also works to relieve irritation and swelling in the throat. Besides consuming coconut oil, you should also increase your intake of water to keep your throat moist and body hydrated.

9. It Protects Your Pancreas and Liver

Coconut oil contains the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are not the same as other saturated fats. Your body absorbs the MCTs quickly and delivers them directly to the liver, and your liver converts these fatty acids into energy. The process takes place quickly, which cuts the workload for your liver. Pancreas assists the liver to transfer MCTs into energy. Since your liver handles this task, you will not rely heavily on your pancreas, which improves its health as well.

10. It Improves Heart Health

The presence of lauric acid is what makes coconut oil beneficial for your heart. Lauric acid increases good cholesterol in the body by turning bad cholesterol into good. Moreover, coconut oil contains several antioxidants that eliminate free radicals from your body and prevent oxidative damage to the cells and arteries. This prevents the blockage of arteries and lowers your risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

11. Other Benefits

Eating coconut oil straight from the jar has many benefits, and here are some more benefits:

• Coconut oil helps eliminate parasites and bacteria like liver flukes and tapeworm.
• Coconut oil is effective in the treatment of acid reflux and promotes proper bowel function.
• Coconut oil soothes earaches quite efficiently.
• Coconut oil helps lower incidence of hemorrhoids.
• Coconut oil works great to relieve symptoms associated with prostate enlargement.

What's more, you should increase coconut oil in your diet because it lowers your risk of having epileptic seizures, accelerates recovery from a cold, and reduces muscle and joint inflammation. You can also use coconut oil while fasting to flush toxins and impurities out of your body. Just consume it in moderation.