Is coconut oil the new “superfood”? New research out of Brazil suggests the answer is
yes, based on new studies showing coconut oil’s combination of fatty acids can boost weight loss and brain function when it is consumed regularly — especially when combined with daily exercise.
Researchers working at the Biotechnology Center at the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil found that a combination of daily coconut oil intake and exercise training reduced weight gain and oxidative stress, resulting in reduction in blood pressure tied to heart and brain disorders.
The research, involving studies of rats, was published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
Both coconut oil and exercise training were shown to reduce blood pressure, but the one-two combo was more effective in combating hypertension.
"This is an important finding as coconut oil is currently being considered a popular ‘superfood’ and it is being consumed by athletes and the general population who seek a healthy lifestyle," said Valdir de Andrade Braga, M.D., co-author of the study.
"The possibility of using coconut oil as an adjuvant to treat hypertension adds to the long list of benefits associated with its consumption. Our next step is to start some clinical trials in order to verify whether we can reproduce those findings in hypertensive human patients."
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