You may have already made the switch to coconut oil in the kitchen, but did you know there are a million different uses for coconut oil? Uses you may not even be aware of

It offers many health benefits.

Here are a few great uses for coconut oil….

1. Protection From Sun

Coconut oil may protect your skin from roughly 20% of  the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause wrinkling, brown spots and raise your risk of skin cancer.

Not as high as some store bought sunscreens that can give up to 90% protection but still, a nice smell with a condition feel to your skin.

2. Increase Your Metabolism

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides . These are fatty acids that are quickly absorbed and can increase the amount of calories you burn .

Controlled studies have shown that MCTs can significantly boost your metabolic rate temporarily. I use it in my coffee sometimes.

3. Cook Safely at High Temperatures

Coconut oil has a very high saturated fat content. In fact, about 87% of its fat is saturated.

This feature makes it one of the best fats for high-heat cooking, including frying.

Coconut oil makes my sweet potato fries quite tasty.

There is no reason to fear the saturated fats in coconut oil. New studies show that they have no link to heart disease risk.

4. Improve Your Dental Health

Coconut oil can be a powerful weapon against bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. This is the bacteria in the mouth that causes dental plaque, tooth decay and gum disease.

Study’s have shown swishing with coconut oil for 10 minutes  reduced these bacteria as effectively as rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash , without burning your gums.

Give it a try sometime.

5. Relieve Skin Irritation and Eczema

It can relieve the inflammation and itching of eczema.

6. Moisturize Your Skin

Coconut oil makes a wonderful moisturizer for your legs, arms and elbows. It’s a great shaving “cream” also.

You can use it on your face as well, although this isn’t recommended for those with very oily skin.

It can also help repair cracked heels. Simply apply a thin coat to your heels at bedtime, put on socks and continue on a nightly basis until your heels are smooth.

7. Increase Your HDL Cholesterol

Coconut oil has been shown to raise cholesterol levels in some people. This is the GOOD cholesterol.

8. Provide Relief from Insect Bites and Stings

Coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve the pain or itch caused by insect bites or stings. It may also reduce swelling and decrease risk of infection.

It helped calm the itching of my poison ivy recently.

9. Reduce Belly Fat

Coconut oil may help reduce belly fat, also known as visceral fat, which is linked to increased health risks such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

10. Protect Your Hair from Damage

Coconut oil can help keep your hair healthy.

It can be applied before or after shampooing.

11. Decrease Hunger and Food Intake

The medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil may help reduce hunger, leading to a  decrease in calorie intake.

12. Reduce Inflammation

Studies suggest eating coconut oil may reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, especially when compared to highly unsaturated oils.

13. Quick Energy Source

Coconut oil contains fats called medium-chain triglycerides, which are digested differently than the long-chain triglycerides found in most foods.

These fats go directly from the gut to the liver, where they can be used as a quick source of energy that won’t raise blood sugar levels.

14. Relieve Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis is characterized by pain and immobility of the joints due to inflammation.

Antioxidants called polyphenols found in coconut oil may be able to relieve some symptoms of arthritis.

A study found that treatment with polyphenols from coconut oil reduced swelling and several inflammatory markers.

15. Remove Eye Makeup

Coconut oil is a gentle and effective eye makeup remover. Apply with a cotton pad and wipe gently until all traces of makeup are gone.

16. Soothe Chapped Lips

Coconut oil makes an ideal natural lip balm.

It glides on smoothly, leaves your lips moist for hours and even provides some protection from the sun. My daughter seems to like making the lip balm…my coconut oil disappears from time to time because of it.

Coconut oil has several health benefits, but it also has many other clever and practical uses that you may not have considered before.