Gingivitis
- In 2015 Nigerian Medical Journal published study in which 60 boys and girls (16-18 years) with plaque induced gingivitis used coconut oil as an oral mouth rinse for 30 days. From day 7 plaque and gingivitis indices were reduced and continued to decrease through the rest of the study period. [Source]
Antioxidant and Anti-stress
- In 2015 Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine published an animal study which showed mice put under various stress tests recovered better, had lower stress hormone levels and higher antioxidant levels when administered virgin coconut oil. [Source]
- In 2015 Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism published an animal study which showed that virgin coconut oil combined with exercise reduced oxidation stress (acted as an antioxidant) in rats with high blood pressure. [Source]
Atopic Dermatitis
- In 2008 Dermatitis published a 4-week, double-blind study comparing virgin coconut oil to virgin olive oil in 26 subjects affected by atopic dermatitis. While both oils were effective, virgin coconut oil showed greater efficacy in reducing Staphylococcus aureus – a bacteria present on the skin of individuals affected by atopic dermatitis. [Source]
- In 2014 the International Journal of Dermatology published a 117-patient, double-blind trial comparing virgin coconut oil to mineral oil for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. After 8 weeks, of those in the virgin coconut oil group, 47 percent achieved moderate improvement and 46 percent saw excellent results. In the mineral oil group 34 percent saw moderate results and 19 percent achieved excellent results. [Source]
- In 2004 Dermatitis published a double-blind trial comparing extra-virgin coconut oil to mineral oil for treating xerosis (dry skin) in 34 patients. Both oils proved to be safe and effective treatment options. [Source]
Osteoporosis
- In 2012 Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine published an animal study which found that 6 weeks of virgin coconut oil supplementation prevented oxidative damage and increased antioxidant enzymes in rats with osteoporosis. [Source]
Weight Reduction and Loss of Belly Fat
- In 2011 ISRN Pharmacology published a pilot study which found that virgin coconut oil was able to reduce waist circumference in 20 obese males by an average of 2.86 cm in a 4-week period, when taken in 3 daily doses of 10 ml (about 1 ounce), 30 minutes before each meal. The same effect was not seen in females. [Source]
- In 2008 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a 16-week study comparing the effect of medium-chain triglyceride oil (coconut oil is comprised of primarily MCTs) to olive oil for weight loss. Thirty-one men and women consumed 18 to 24 grams per day of one of the oils. Results showed that MTC oil lowered body weight and reduced total body fat and omental (belly) fat more than olive oil. [Source]
Antioxidant
- In 2013 Food and Function published an animal study which found that virgin coconut oil was more effective than olive oil, sunflower oil and copra oil in raising antioxidant levels in major organ tissues in rats. [Source]
Alzheimer’s
- In 2015 Nutricion Hospitalaria published a study in which patients with Alzheimer’s dementia were administered 40 ml/day of extra virgin coconut oil. Results showed that coconut oil was most effective in improving cognitive function in female patients and patients with serve dementia. [Source]
- In 2014 the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a pilot study which showed that, in vitro, coconut oil was able to improve neuron cell survival and help prevent mitochondrial alterations – two key factors in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. [Source]