Claim 5: Reduce your hunger
- The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite
- A study conducted showed that men eating the most MCTs ate 256 fewer calories per day on average
- A study in 14 healthy men discovered those who ate most MCTs at breakfast ate significantly fewer calories at lunch.
Research seems to suggest that MCTs (not necessarily coconut oil) do reduce food intake and decrease feelings of hunger in subjects tested (14,19). However the papers I viewed all mentioned that further research must be done. Therefore the possibility of a reduction in food intake (rather than hunger) is mooted but it is not proven beyond doubt. (yet).
Conclusion: Unproven and needs further research
Claim 6: Lose fat from abdominal cavity
- Coconut oil appears to be especially effective in reducing abdominal fat which lodges in the abdominal cavity and around the organs.
- A study in 40 women with abdominal obesity, supplementing 1 ounce of coconut oil per day led to a significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference in a period of 12 weeks.
There are claims that MCTs can help weight loss but as part of a weight loss plan and not specifically coconut oil (20). There are claims as above that it can help reduce abdominal obesity (21). There are also claims to the contrary, that suggest the level of MCTs needed for weight loss are not sustainable long term in a human’s diet (22). Yet again we have research that indicates support for and against coconut oil’s use in assisting weightloss.
Conclusion: The scientific jury is yet again still out on this
Claim 7: Get healthy hair and scalp
- Fatty acids will soften your locks when used as conditioner
- Soothes dry scalp conditions
- Eliminates fungal infections of the scalp
Research has shown that protection from hair damage through brushing can be improved when coconut oil is used as a prewash (23). There are numerous articles telling you how coconut oil softens hair but I couldn’t find any that explained why. Coconut oil works as a moisturiser and because it potentially has beneficial effects on the hair it can possibly be used to soothe the scalp(24). We will look at coconut oil’s antimicrobial properties later in the article.
Conclusion: Coconut oil can protect hair from damage by brushing.
