MCT oil and coconut oil are lauded by many for their health benefits. Taking these oils every day can help you lose weight, give you more energy and improve your brain function. MCT oil and coconut oil are not exactly the same, but they share many of the same benefits. And because these two oils are two of the healthiest oils in the world, their differences and similarities are worth exploring.

Coconut oil is considered the richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), or medium-chain fatty acids. It contains about 50 percent MCTs, which are a quick source of energy. This means that your body easily converts MCTs into energy for your cells. But pure coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which your body digests and absorbs at a much slower rate. Long-chain fatty acids like lauric acid require liver enzymes or bile acids to be broken down.

Meanwhile, MCT oil contains only MCTs that are usually derived from coconut oil or palm oil. This oil undergoes a process in which other compounds are removed. This process concentrates the oil’s natural MCT content, allowing the fatty acids to bypass all the usual processes fats go through inside the body. Since MCTs go straight to the liver, they are immediately broken down and can be an instant source of energy for your cells.

MCT oil is widely popular among those who are following a ketogenic diet. People on a ketogenic diet eat large amounts of healthy fat and very little carbohydrates. One of the ways they provide fuel for their cells is by adding MCT oil to their morning coffee. According to some reports, this contributes to better brain function. When MCTs enter the body in this manner, they are either immediately used up or turned into ketones, which can cross the blood brain barrier and provide energy for the brain in the absence of glucose.

Here are three health benefits of including coconut oil or MCT oil in your diet.

Coconut oil and MCT oil can help alleviate stress

Coconut oil and MCT oil have anti-inflammatory components that are beneficial for the brain. These nutrients can help you think more clearly as well as reduce your stress levels. The polyphenols in coconut oil also have antioxidant properties that can benefit your nervous system.

A number of studies have reported the positive effects of consuming coconut oil and MCT oil on stress and anxiety levels. A 2018 study found that rats fed MCTs had lower instances of anxiety-like behavior. A separate animal study also found that virgin coconut oil (VCO) helps reduce the negative effects of stress, particularly on behavior, anxiety levels and episodic memory. VCO appears to work best when combined with exercise.

Coconut oil and MCT oil promote a healthy gut

Both coconut oil and MCT oil support digestive health by balancing the composition of your gut microbiota. The beneficial bacteria in your gut help strengthen your gut lining, fight inflammation and improve mental health by producing serotonin. The MCTs in MCT oil and coconut oil can also help your body absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins A and E, calcium, magnesium and lutein.

Coconut oil and MCT oil can help prevent excessive eating

Your body can turn MCTs into ketones, which can help reduce your appetite. High blood ketone levels have been shown to suppress ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and increase cholecystokinin. This hormone is responsible for stimulating the digestion of fats and proteins.

In a 2014 study, researchers showed that MCT oil can help people shed weight by suppressing their appetite. When they asked overweight male volunteers to supplement their diets with MCT oil, the researchers found that the oil effectively reduced the volunteers’ individual food intake. A similar study conducted three years later involving women revealed that coconut oil can also do the same.

MCT oil and coconut oil can easily be incorporated into your diet, albeit with some restrictions. MCT oil can be added to your daily brew to make a “bulletproof” cup of coffee. You can also use it as a base for salad dressings. Consuming MCT oil with raw vegetables bolsters it energy-boosting properties. It is not advisable to use MCT oil for cooking.

On the other hand, you are better off using coconut oil for cooking. Its high smoke point makes it good for stir-frying and pan-frying. You may also replace butter in your next baking recipe with coconut oil.

MCT oil and coconut oil may have some differences, but both oils are wonderful superfoods that offer plenty of health benefits!

Visit Superfoods.news to learn more about the benefits of including MCT oil and coconut oil in your daily diet.

Sources:

EcoWatch.com

BetterNutrition.com

ScienceDirect.com

Pubs.RSC.org

Link.Springer.com