10 facts of coconut oil

1. Coconut oil can tame frizz.

True! This trick definitely works. Rub coconut oil in your palms to warm it up, and then simply massage it into strands. Wash it out a few hours later.

“The molecules in coconut oil are small enough so it penetrates the hair shaft,” he explained. “It locks the moisture in. That’s what keeps the hair nice and healthy looking. When your hair is dehydrated, that’s when you get flyaways and it gets really frizzy.”

2. You can use coconut oil as sunscreen.

False — and please don’t do this, warns celebrity dermatologist Doris Day.

“It may give some sun protection benefits, but it does not replace your need for sunscreen,” Day said. “I wouldn’t risk it.”

3. Coconut oil can replace your moisturizer.

Coconut oil is very moisturizing and safe to use even on the face—for all skin types, Day said.

“Even if you have oily skin, if you put on a thin layer it could help control the oil,” she added.

4. You’ll lose weight if you cook with coconut oil.

You might, but nutritionists reminds us it’s not that easy. Coconut oil has about the same amount of calories and fat—albeit a different makeup of fats—as other oils like olive.

Weight loss can be complex, and simply adding coconut oil into the diet without changing anything else isn’t going to be enough.

But, the high level of saturated fats in coconut oil can help suppress the appetite.

5. Coconut oil can help heal wounds.

Believe it or not, this is true. The coconut oil’s antibacterial properties that help cuts and scrapes heal faster.

6. You can use coconut oil as makeup remover.

Yes, coconut oil can even help remove stubborn eye makeup — but most oils can do this.

7. You can use coconut oil as natural deodorant.

Sure, if you don’t mind smelling like coconut! It kills off bacteria and yeast, and that’s what causes odor.

8. Coconut oil will get rid of stretch marks.

Nope, sorry.

9. Swirling coconut oil in your mouth will whiten your teeth.

Dentist Zack Zaibak of Chicago confirms this is true, adding that swirling coconut oil in your mouth for about fifteen minutes—known as oil-pulling—can also remove bacteria and help improve conditions like gingivitis.

“It’s a good addition to dentistry,” he said. “There’s not much testing on this, but I haven’t seen any negativity, from a dentist’s perspective.”

10. Cooking with coconut oil will make everything taste like coconut.

False – Coconut oil is actually a mild, light option and you probably won’t detect the fruit in most recipes.

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Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies