I began every morning with a spoonful of coconut oil—here are the benefits

We know it as a pantry staple and a champi essential. But coconut oil, it turns out, is more than just a kitchen or beauty cabinet mainstay. But long before it was swirled into coffee or scooped into keto yoghurts, it held pride of place in Ayurveda not just for its nutrition, but for its temperament. Sweet in taste (rasa), cooling in potency (virya) and soothing in its after-effects (vipaka), coconut oil was used to pacify heat, calm the gut and nourish the body from within. Today, that ancient understanding meets modern wellness.

Packed with antimicrobial properties and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), advocates claim that taking a teaspoon on an empty stomach can boost energy, curb cravings and do wonders for digestion. Curious if there was truth behind the trend, I decided to try it myself. Here’s what I found.

The properties of coconut oil

Coconut oil is a good source of saturated fatty acids, specifically capric and caprylic acid, of which it contains 65%.

These medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have a ton of interesting properties. Not only are they metabolised by the liver and converted into energy instead of being stored as body fat, they are also absorbed intact from the small intestine into the blood and therefore immediately available as energy—kind of like carbs. Furthermore, MCTs have been shown to increase feelings of fullness; a 2023 study found that when used during a low-calorie ketogenic diet, MCT supplementation significantly decreased body weight, BMI, and waist circumference.

Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties, which is why it is used in oral hygiene practices such as oil pulling. Thanks to these properties, it may also support gut health.

The benefits of taking coconut oil

Some studies have shown that drinking coconut oil supports mental faculties because the production of ketone bodies provides an alternative source of energy for the brain. Coconut oil also has a satiating effect, slowing digestion and preventing hunger pangs. And, with all those MCTs, coconut oil offers an immediate source of energy and stimulates the production of ketones, which help burn fat—especially when consumed in conjunction with low-carb and keto diets.

What happened when I took coconut oil daily

Speaking of certain diets, I started taking coconut oil as part of the ketogenic diet I’ve been following for a while now. I take my coconut oil in three different ways, depending on the day and how much time I have: I either drink a teaspoon on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, mix a teaspoon into my coffee, or drizzle it over Greek yoghurt. I find the flavour relatively mild and I like the texture—in fact, I barely notice it when I take it with my coffee or yoghurt.