It’s no secret that coconut oil is extremely beneficial to your body. Topically, it treats dry skin, repairs hair and nails and can soothe skin conditions and acne. When consumed, its wide array of nutritious fats can be absorbed throughout the body. The medium chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil may have an even greater benefit to you though – they can help keep your brain healthy. In fact, a single 40mL dose of these fatty acids has been found to improve cognition and memory after consumption.
An impressive study published by the journal Neurobiology of Aging in 2004 found that several patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other mild cognitive impairments exhibited improvements on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale after being given MCT.
How could that possibly be? Well, the explanation is found in both the unique needs of the brain and the makeup of MCTs. Basically, as people age, their glucose metabolism tends to slow down. Glucose is the primary energy source for the brain. But, the medium-chain triglycerides act as a secondary energy source for the brain in the form of ketones. This recharges the metabolic processes in the brain, improving cognitive function.
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