One of the latest nutritional trends is adding a spoonful of coconut oil to a cup of coffee, to begin the day. This drink is both delicious and has great nutritional benefits, once it is consumed regularly.
Coconut Oil & Coffee – A Perfect Partnership
There are several reasons why coconut oil and coffee work so well together, such as:
- Great Taste Combination – Coffee has a strong taste and most people use one form of additive or another to make it more appetising. Coconut oil is perfect for adding flavour and a smooth texture to the beverage.
- Metabolic Boost – Both coconut oil and coffee are thermogenic, meaning they boost the metabolism. The combination works well to help the body break down fat quicker, as well as provides more energy. It’s also best to take the combination in the morning, as taking them later in the day might result in an inability to sleep.
- Balances the Skin – Caffeine is a diuretic, and can dry out the skin. As a moisturiser coconut oil works well to counteract the dehydration. It is recommended not to consume more than one cup of coffee with coconut oil per day. Too much oil or caffeine are not good for the body, and both should be consumed in moderation.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a wide variety of uses, including as a skin moisturiser and a cooking oil. Despite negative press about the consumption of oils in the 1980s, it has now been proven that coconut oil, and other good fats, are beneficial to our health. Coconut oil is at the top of the list of good fats, and is even being embraced by many nutritionists as a superfood. It has been used medicinally for centuries and is a strong antibacterial perfect for treating nausea, wounds, fever, lice and ulcers.
Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid, which causes the body to process it easier than other fats. Upon consumption, it goes directly to the liver where it is broken down. This means that is used instantly by the body for energy, instead of being stored as fat.
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Adding coconut oil to a cup of coffee in the morning is similar to taking a supercharged multivitamin. The coconut oil itself has numerous benefits, which are enhanced by the caffeine in coffee. Some of these benefits include:
1. Aids in Weight Loss
Not only does coconut oil help maintain a healthy weight it can also help with losing excess, especially the layer of belly fat that may be stored in the abdominal cavity. This is because the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are sent directly to the liver from the digestive tract, where they can be instantly broken down. It takes three steps for the liver to do this, as opposed to 26 steps for other fatty acids. Coconut oil also increases the good fats in the body, which promote weight loss
2. Reduces Appetite and Cravings
Medium chain fatty acids help you to feel fuller for longer, automatically suppressing the appetite. Being less hungry eliminates cravings and boosts the mood. Taking coconut oil with coffee in the morning is particularly helpful because it allows you to get more done during the day.
3. Boosts the Immune System
Coconut oil is a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral which helps to boost the immune system, as well as slow down and heal any possible infections. The lauric acid in coconut oil helps the body fight parasites, and can cure candida infections when taken a few times each day. Lauric
acid is the ingredient found in breast milk that boosts a baby’s immune system. It can be used to treat viral infections, fever blisters, cld sores, genital herpes and a range of other diseases. The medium chain fatty acids trap viruses in a layer of fat, and help cure the host by breaking down the viral membrane.
4. Slows Down Ageing
Coconut oil has powerful anti-oxidants that help to slow down the ageing process. It also reduces stress on the liver, and regulates the body’s natural detox process. Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser and can be used topically, as well as consumed to fight off micro-organisms that might affect the skin.
5. Lowers Stress Levels
Virgin coconut oil has anti-stress properties, and is beneficial to those with anxiety and depression. This is because the medium chain fatty acids and polyphenols calms them down, and increases positive feelings.
In healthy individuals the brain produces its own insulin, which helps regulates the memory and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s patients are unable to produce their own insulin in the brain, making them forget key facts about their lives. The ketones produced when coconut oil is consumed, help to stimulate cognitive function, increase their energy and boosts their recollection.
7. Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory
Coconut oil can provide arthritis patients with great relief when taken daily, as it decreases inflammation in the joints.
8. Increases Energy and Boosts the Metabolism
Athletes, and anybody else who wants to be at the height of their game, can benefit greatly from a dose of coconut oil in the morning. This happens because medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil are rapidly absorbed by the body, and metabolised quickly to increase energy. They are instantly used instead of stored as fat. The efficiency of this conversion in the body, also speeds up the metabolism.
Flavoured Coconut Oil and Coffee
Even though it is probably easier to just put a spoonful of oil in your coffee when rushing to work on a weekday morning, the combination is smoothest when blended. The benefits remain the same, but adding an additional flavour can also boost your tastebuds.
Ingredients:
- coffee
- 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil
- raw honey, stevia or coconut sugar
- vanilla, peppermint or other extract of choice
After making the coffee, blend all the ingredients together until the drink becomes foamy. Serve and enjoy!
References:
https://www.homegrounds.co/coconut-oil-in-your-coffee/
http://www.thealternativedaily.com/coconut-oil-in-your-morning-coffee-absolutely/
http://thecoconutmama.com/coconut-oil-coffee/
https://authoritynutrition.com/coconut-oil-and-weight-loss/