Healthy eating has been on the rise in the past years, and there is a growing awareness about healthier fat substitutes. In our previous article, we’ve created a list of the best alternatives to peanut butter, and one of those is coconut butter. It is made from the fleshy meat of the coconut. It is made by blending the coconut meat until it resembles a buttery spread. It is a dairy-free product, which makes it a popular replacement in the Paleo community.
When you search the internet, you can find many benefits of coconut oil. But did you know that coconut butter also has all of those benefits and more? Yes, because it contains all the parts of the coconut, including the meat, oil, and water. If you want to learn more about this, read on as we’re giving you the benefits of coconut butter.
Coconut butter can help boost immunity.
Coconut contains lauric acid, which is an antimicrobial compound that regulates the immune system. In addition to that, it also helps ward off viruses and bacteria. It is the same compound that is found in human milk, which helps a developing baby grow strong and healthy. Therefore, after human milk, coconut is the next best source of lauric acid. If you want to boost your immunity with the foods you eat, you can consider incorporating coconut butter into your diet.
Coconut butter can help fight bacteria and viruses.
Together with helping to regulate the immune system, the lauric acid found in coconut butter is also a potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Based on studies, monolaurin specifically can help constrain stomach viruses and potent bacteria such as staph and E. coli. In addition to that, it can also help fight urinary tract infections.
Coconut butter can help you lose weight.
Coconut is high in medium-chain fatty acids or MCTs. These are used by the body for immediate energy instead of storing them as fat. In addition to that, these can also help boost your metabolism. Based on one study, just one or two tablespoons of MCTs a day can increase the number of calories burned by five percent. That is roughly 120 calories in a day.
Other studies suggest that medium-chain fatty acids can help people feel fuller and more satisfied after eating, compared to other types of fat. This makes coconut butter a great natural appetite suppressant, which can also help people lose weight indirectly.
Coconut butter can boost athletic performance.
Medium-chain fatty acids that are found in coconut butter are used immediately by the body for energy. Therefore, it is a great, readily available fuel for athletes. Based on studies, MCTs are used as quickly as glucose for exercise fuel. Therefore, incorporating coconut butter into your diet can help increase your endurance during workouts.
Coconut butter can help lower cholesterol.
Coconut is also good for the heart. According to studies, it lowers LDL or bad cholesterol while increasing HDL or good cholesterol in as little as eight weeks. Cholesterol levels play a big role in the development of heart disease and other heart problems. Therefore, you can give coconut butter a try as it may help prevent heart conditions.
Coconut butter can help enhance brain function.
Based on research, ketones produced in the body by consuming medium-chain fatty acids can aid in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. In addition to that, it can also boost brain function. According to researchers, ketones give an alternative energy source for the brain when it is having issues using its normal energy source, which is glucose. In Alzheimer’s disease, the brain cells struggle to use glucose for energy, which leads to cell death. Therefore, when you provide them with alternative fuel, this can potentially keep the brain cells functioning more competently.
Coconut butter is easy to digest.
Coconut butter does not need the help of bile for digestion because of its medium-chain triglycerides. It can be absorbed easily through the wall of the small intestine and is straightly transported to the liver. When it reaches the liver, it is used immediately as fuel. Most of the time, coconut butter is incorporated into the hospital nutrient mixtures for bedridden patients who are dependent on IV fluid nutrition.
These are some of the benefits that you can get from coconut butter. In addition to buying pre-made coconut butter, you can also easily make it at home. All you need is some shredded coconut and a food processor or a high-speed blender. You can also easily add it to your diet by using it as a topping to your toast, a fruit dip, a coffee creamer, and more. It is a delicious alternative to dairy and peanut butter, and it is full of powerful health benefits that will keep your immune system and brain functioning at their best. We hope this helped you learn more about the benefits of coconut butter.