Coconut Oil for Weight Loss

Melanie Ramos 6 min. of reading Fats Leave a comment

What? Seriously? A fat (saturated!) to lose weight? Yes, as unbelievable as it may seem, we confirm it: the fat in coconut oil has the power to help you slim down, or better said, to reshape your body composition by making you lose fat.

Index

1 Losing weight by eating fats, the paradox of Coconut Oil
2 Do you know the benefits of this superfood for weight loss?
3 What about the calories in this oil?
4 So, does it really help you lose weight?

Losing weight by eating fats, the paradox of Coconut Oil

It’s totally normal that the first time you hear coconut oil is good for weight loss you might freak out, but let’s take it step by step. Keep in mind that coconut is a high-calorie food that’s also packed with saturated fats! So how is that possible? You can read more info about this product in the post we’ve prepared.

Here’s the deal. With coconut oil and weight loss, it’s a case of the innocent paying for the guilty. For years, they’ve tried to sell you tons of products in the name of weight loss. They’ve convinced you (or at least tried really hard) that fatty foods make you gain weight and are bad for heart health. And just like that, without any distinction, they lumped them all together.

You’ve spent half your life choosing “light” products over real food. And today you’re still paying the price, reflected in discouraging stats about overall health and issues related to overweight and obesity in particular.

Virgin Organic Coconut Oil from BioSeries

There are fats and fats

Time to wake up from that bad dream! The good news is not all fats behave the same way in your body.

Of course, there are fats that are really harmful (definitely not helping with weight loss), causing inflammation, being oxidative, and leading to diseases, especially increasing the risk of cardiovascular attacks. Mainly these are refined vegetable fats or oils, found in many ultra-processed products.

On the flip side, there are other fats that bring a ton of benefits. Check out the main ones!

They taste good (not essential, but it counts)
They regulate your hormones
They help absorb certain vitamins
They’re anti-inflammatory (in some cases)
They usually help fight constipation

You can check out more benefits of this product here –

All these cool properties to help you shed some kilos are concentrated, among other foods, in virgin coconut oil!

That’s why, even though most of its fats are saturated, coconut oil has made it onto the list of the most recommended foods to keep in your pantry for weight loss.

But, what’s so special about coconut fat that helps you slim down? It boosts your metabolism or, in other words, it makes you burn energy faster!

Thanks to its high content of medium-chain fats (especially lauric acid), when you consume calories in the form of this oil, you “burn” more than you “store.” A fantastic quality called thermogenesis.

Do you know the benefits of this superfood for weight loss?

Coconut oil impacts your weight loss in many ways. Knowing them all can be really encouraging in a process that’s more of a marathon than a sprint.

Increases fat burning

Not all foods and nutrients you eat are metabolized the same way. Some take time to digest and metabolize, while others are absorbed and processed quickly.

What about coconut oil?

Coconut oil is thermogenic, meaning its intake increases energy expenditure and therefore, fat burning! And we’re not just saying that—tons of studies back it up:

Taking two tablespoons a day of MCTs (fats found in coconut oil) increases fat burning by 5%. That’s a total of 120 calories daily!

Heads up! And the calories from coconut oil are better quality than those from butter or olive oil.

Reduces appetite

Raise your hand if you usually give in to tempting snacks! Well, this little problem might be on its way out thanks to coconut oil. Why? Again, we have to credit the medium-chain triglycerides for the appetite-suppressing effect of coconut oil. No appetite means no snacking urges.

Some studies have shown that MCT fats satisfy hunger much more than others, automatically leading to lower calorie intake.

What’s the explanation?

It’s likely that the satiating effect of coconut oil is linked to the fat metabolism process. The ketone bodies formed in the liver from MCTs are responsible for reducing appetite.

Reduces belly fat

Beyond how unflattering the typical “belly” looks, the fat stored in the abdominal cavity, around the organs, poses a serious health risk.

More often than you think, it causes inflammation and can lead to diabetes or heart disease.

That’s why it’s crucial to get rid of it as soon as possible, taking steps to do it quickly and effectively. And if you’re wondering, you guessed it: taking coconut oil is a solution to reduce belly fat.

What about the calories in this oil?

One tablespoon of coconut oil, about 14 g, contains 116 calories.

That said, it’s clear that adding coconut oil to your diet as is, without cutting other fats or oils, can backfire if your goal is to lose weight. For example, if you add coconut oil to a 2000-calorie daily diet without cutting any other calorie sources, you’ll end up eating more calories than before and won’t lose weight.

But don’t panic! The solution isn’t to start counting calories but simply to swap other cooking fats for coconut oil.

This simple swap, plus its satiating effect, will help you reduce your calorie intake and lose weight.

Keep in mind that 15 to 30 g of coconut oil daily, about 1 to 2 tablespoons, is enough for effective and lasting weight loss (without the dreaded rebound effect). Need to lose weight ASAP? Then combine coconut oil intake with a slimming diet and regular exercise.

So, does it really help you lose weight?

YES. That’s why it’s becoming a go-to option for people wanting to shed pounds. With coconut oil, you’ll feel more energetic and satisfied, so you’ll avoid unwanted snacking. Without hunger, anxiety and cravings disappear. And if that wasn’t enough, its detoxifying properties “cleanse” your body, helping you release fat more easily and lose weight naturally.