Coconut oil is derived from mature coconut kernels. Coconut oil is now considered a superfood. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Coconut oil is resistant to rancidity and has a good heat stability. Hence, it is used for cooking. However, saturated fats are unhealthy and coconut oil is a saturated fat. So, is it bad to eat coconut oil before bed?
Having coconut oil before bed has varied results. Some believe it boosts energy and disrupts sleep, while others feel it helps you sleep better. Largely, it depends on the quantity of oil you consume. Let us see the benefits of having coconut oil before bed.
7 Benefits of Eating Coconut Oil before Bed
Our body needs healthy fats. Coconut oil contains a unique fatty acid combination that is extremely beneficial to our body. It helps regulate the hormones and recovers our body tissues.
Here are some purported benefits of consuming coconut oil before bed:
1. Makes You Feel Revitalized on Waking Up
If you feel lethargic even after a good sleep, you should try consuming coconut oil before bed. Having coconut oil before bed could make you revitalized and energized. Coconut oil provides energy for a longer duration of time.
2. Coconut Oil Enhances Skin Health
Having coconut oil before bed reportedly enhances skin and hair health. It may also prevent premature aging issues. It keeps the skin soft and supple and makes it glow.
Topical application of coconut oil is also pretty common and useful. It is a good idea to massage your hair, scalp, and body with coconut oil at least once a week to get healthy and glowing skin and shiny hair.
3. Coconut Oil Protects Heart Health
Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). According to a study published in the Journal of Neutraceuticals and Functional Foods, MCT helps prevent abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and more.
It benefits the immune system and cardiovascular health. The good fats in coconut oil also regulate the cholesterol levels. They prevent high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The presence of phytosterols reduces the bad cholesterol.
4. Coconut Oil Helps to Treat Insomnia
Blood sugar/insulin spikes can disturb the sleep. The fats in coconut oil may prevent blood sugar spikes and help you sleep peacefully.
The nutrients in coconut oil help the body to produce good amounts of sleep hormones. It also helps to wake up feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
5. Coconut Oil May Help with Weight Loss
There is a possibility that coconut oil before bed helps with weight loss. However, more research is required in this area.
As mentioned, coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride oil, which keeps one full and satiated post dinner. According to Livestrong, in a study conducted by C. Beermann and colleagues in 2003, it was found that coconut oil helps burn fats and increases the metabolic rate. It lowers the body fat levels and is good for abdominal fat loss.
Coconut oil regulates the appetite and also boosts metabolism. It can satiate post-dinner drink or snack cravings.
6. Coconut Oil Is Good for Bodybuilders
Coconut oil may reduce body fat, but could also retain muscle mass. Coconut oil is used by bodybuilders to maintain their muscle mass.
According to a study published in Journal of Surgical Research, coconut oil is highly insulinotropic. It stimulates insulin secretion, which helps in the absorption of nutrients by muscles.
7. Coconut Oil Protects against Diseases
Coconut oil is light and easy to digest. It may keep you away from digestion-related and intestinal problems.
The Immune Restoration Handbook claims that coconut oil could boost your immunity against diseases like influenza, Epstein-Barr viruses, herpes, and candida infections.
You can also have virgin coconut oil before bed. Virgin coconut oil is derived from drying fresh coconuts. Virgin coconut oil before bed may also help relieve insomnia.
Related: Some More Benefits Of Coconut Oil
How Much Coconut Oil Can You Have before Bed?
Coconut oil is high in calories, so taking it in the right proportion is necessary. A small amount of coconut oil before bed also provides ample benefits.
The right amount of coconut oil before bed may help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism. But you should also monitor your calorie intake and exercise regularly. You shouldn’t consume more than a tablespoon of coconut oil before bed.
If you suffer from insomnia, here is a mixture that you can have before bed for a sound sleep.
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of raw honey
It could reduce stress hormone or cortisol spikes, which can wake you up at night.
Final Word on Coconut Oil
To reap the benefits of coconut oil, it can be used as an ingredient in recipes. You can have it plain or add it to chamomile tea.
Chamomile tea is sleep-inducing and soothing. Adding coconut oil to it will make it more nutritious. It will also combat the bedtime cravings.
While coconut has come a long way from being considered unhealthy to a fruit with medicinal value, more scientific evidence is required to prove many of the claims made. Coconut has been used for centuries in many of the Asian countries in many ways and this includes coconut oil, the white “meat” inside, coconut water, and even other parts of a coconut tree such the palm leaf. Whether before bed or in the morning, you can safely consume coconut oil as long as you know the right quantity.
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Sources:
Attard, M., “Bodybuilding & Coconut Oil,” Livestrong web site, Feb 03, 2014;
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265886-bodybuilding-coconut-oil/.
“How To Cure Insomnia Using Coconut Oil ,” Thevirgincoconutoil web site;
http://www.thevirgincoconutoil.com/articleitem.php?articleid=255, last accessed May 29, 2017
