Can Coconut Oil Relieve Your Anxiety?

We know its great for our skin, one of the better oils to cook with, but can it really help curb our anxiety?

A study published in the Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine journal showed that pure virgin coconut oil had a much greater success rate in treating stress-related symptoms than a widely-prescribed anxiety medication called Diazepam when tested on groups of mice.

And while Diazepam can cause side effects such as memory problems, drowsiness, nausea and blurred vision, there are no risks associated with coconut oil use. Even better, coconut oil acts as a preventative to protect from neurological damage, among its other health benefits.

Researchers attributed virgin coconut oil’s (VCO) success to its high content of unique medium chain fatty acids, as well as its antioxidants.

They concluded: “The present study demonstrated the potential of VCO in preventing exercise- and chronic cold restraint stress-induced damage and restoring the antioxidant balance. This promising antistress activity may be attributed to the polyphenols and medium-chain fatty acids present in VCO.”

Anytime we can heal ourselves with food it's definitely a plus!