This Oil Even Kills Candida! Plus 7 More Reasons to Include It in Your Diet
Coconut oil is no longer just a trendy superfood — it’s a powerful natural remedy backed by science and tradition. With its unique composition and impressive range of health benefits, there are many compelling reasons to add just two tablespoons a day to your diet. From supporting weight loss to enhancing immune function, coconut oil can be a simple yet transformative addition to your lifestyle.
But what makes this oil so special? Let’s take a closer look.
1. Coconut Oil Supports Weight Loss — Naturally
Yes, it’s true — one tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 120 calories, but those calories don’t behave in your body the same way as calories from other oils, like canola or soybean oil. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which your body metabolizes differently than long-chain fatty acids.
MCTs are rapidly absorbed and converted into energy by the liver, rather than being stored as fat. Coconut oil is also thermogenic, meaning it increases your body’s energy expenditure and fat burning.
So how does coconut oil help you lose weight?
Boosts metabolism: MCTs help accelerate your metabolic rate, leading to increased calorie burning even at rest.
Supports hormone balance: Proper thyroid and liver function are essential for weight management. Coconut oil helps maintain hormonal health, especially supporting thyroid activity.
Promotes satiety: Coconut oil helps you feel full longer, reducing overall calorie intake.
Incorporating coconut oil into your meals — like mixing it into smoothies, cooking with it, or adding it to coffee — can enhance weight loss efforts when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
2. Fights Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Coconut oil is packed with compounds that have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders. Adding coconut oil to your diet can help reduce inflammation at a cellular level.
Coconut oil has the following therapeutic effects:
Antibacterial: Helps kill bacteria that cause gum disease, throat infections, and urinary tract infections.
Antifungal: Effectively combats fungal overgrowths like Candida.
Antiviral and antiparasitic: Fights off viruses like flu, herpes, and measles, and also helps eliminate parasites and protozoal infections in the gut.
Antioxidant: Protects your body from free radicals and oxidative damage, keeping your cells healthy and resilient.
3. Regulates Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels
While coconut oil itself doesn’t contain sugar or carbohydrates, it plays an indirect role in stabilizing blood glucose levels — a critical factor for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Here’s how it helps:
MCTs slow down the absorption of glucose in the bloodstream, preventing sugar spikes and crashes.
Coconut oil improves insulin sensitivity, making your body more effective at using insulin to process glucose.
It replaces unhealthy fats in your diet with a fat that supports better metabolic health.
Many nutrition experts recommend coconut oil as a part of a low-carb, high-fat diet to help balance blood sugar and reduce cravings.
4. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
Contrary to old myths, not all saturated fats are harmful. In fact, coconut oil may protect the heart rather than harm it.
Studies of traditional cultures — such as Polynesians and people in Papua New Guinea — show that those who consume large amounts of coconut in their diets have very low rates of heart disease and stroke.
Coconut oil can help:
Increase HDL (good) cholesterol
Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
Improve the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL, which is a key marker for heart health
By replacing refined oils and trans fats with virgin coconut oil, you may improve your cardiovascular health significantly.
5. Supports Thyroid Function
Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, are becoming increasingly common, particularly among women. Pharmaceutical treatments may not always be effective, especially if inflammation is the root cause.
Coconut oil helps by:
Reducing inflammation, which impairs the conversion of the inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3)
Supporting hormone production by nourishing the thyroid gland
Improving metabolism, which often slows down when the thyroid is underactive
Including coconut oil in your daily routine can provide a natural boost to thyroid health and help ease symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.
6. Kills Candida and Fights Yeast Overgrowth
One of coconut oil’s most remarkable abilities is its power to fight Candida albicans, a common fungus that can cause widespread symptoms when it overgrows in the body.
Common symptoms of Candida overgrowth include:
Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia-like pain
Digestive issues like constipation, bloating, or diarrhea
Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis
Brain fog, poor memory, and difficulty concentrating
Skin conditions like eczema, hives, and acne
Vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, and rectal itching
Mood issues such as irritability, anxiety, and depression
Food sensitivities and seasonal allergies
A Rice University study found that nearly 70% of people may have some level of Candida overgrowth. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and caprylic acid, which disrupt the cell walls of fungi, killing Candida and restoring microbial balance in the gut and body.
7. Helps Eliminate Dangerous Belly Fat
Stubborn belly fat — particularly visceral fat around internal organs — is linked to serious health risks. Coconut oil can be a game changer in this area.
In a study of 40 women, taking 2 tablespoons of coconut oil per day for 12 weeks led to a significant reduction in waist circumference and BMI, even without changing their diet or exercise routine.
Coconut oil also promotes:
Healthier skin and hair
Improved digestion
Hormonal balance
Reduced cravings and improved satiety
Final Thoughts
From killing Candida to revving up your metabolism and protecting your heart, coconut oil is one of the most versatile and beneficial oils you can use. It’s not a miracle cure, but incorporating just 1–2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil daily — in your cooking, smoothies, or even coffee — can make a big difference over time.
Give it a try, and discover for yourself why so many people swear by its powerful effects on both body and mind.
