What Is Babassu Oil?

Babassu oil, just like coconut oil, is a carrier oil and is similar to coconut oil in many ways, ranging from the nutritional value to the physical qualities. However, they both differ slightly in terms of the health benefits they supply. Thus, if you know coconut oil, you are one step closer to knowing babassu oil.

Babassu oil is an oil that used to be popular among the people of South America, but today, it is known and used across many countries and continents of the world. It is used for cosmetic, medicinal, and culinary purposes, among others. Research is still ongoing as to other benefits that babassu oil can add to humans.

The oil is made from the nuts of the babassu palm. Unlike other carrier oils, babassu palm nuts are cold-pressed to produce babassu oil. Studies have shown that the oil is pale yellow and is lightweight, and does not clog your skin pores when you apply it to your skin.

Babassu oil is packed with many properties that help improve human health. It has a wealth of antioxidants, and despite its high-fat content, it has little or no cholesterol in it. According to research, babassu oil has about 70% fat, but this fat is termed healthy fat, so you are safe.

Due to its nutritional composition, babassu oil helps prevent inflammation and pregnancy complications. It also helps reduce wrinkles that come with old age, clears stretch marks, eliminates body odor, and keeps the skin moisturized.

This article elaborates on the nutritional profile of babassu oil, as well as the several health miracles you stand to gain when you use babassu oil either as an ingredient in your kitchen or as a skin or hair regimen.

The following is the nutritional composition of babassu oil;

Nutritional Profile of Babassu Oil

• Vitamins E
• Antioxidants
• Minerals
• Energy
• Healthy fat

One teaspoon of babassu oil contains the following nutrients;

• Fiber 0 g
• Calories 120
• Sugar 0 g
• Fat 14 g
• Carbohydrates 0 g
• Protein 0 g

Health Benefits of Babassu Oil

The health benefits of this oil are courtesy of its nutritional profile. The following are the health benefits of adopting babassu oil as either your culinary ingredient or your skin and hair regimen.

Heals Wounds Faster

Babassu oil is packed with antioxidants that are known to be effective in the elimination of free radicals that can provoke damage to cells. According to research, applying babassu oil to wounds of any nature can help heal the wound faster than most over-the-counter medications.

In addition, babassu oil is also made up of antibacterial properties that prevent wounds from getting infected. People who have used the oil to treat wounds have confirmed the effectiveness of this oil on their wounds. Thus, if you need a natural method of healing your wounds faster, try applying babassu oil to the affected area.

However, if the wound is too deep or is already infected, you should visit a hospital for proper care and also speak with your doctor about applying babassu oil to the wound to help speed up the healing process.

Balances Hormones

Hormonal imbalance can be a result of many factors. It is a constant occurrence in women at different stages of life. For instance, during menstruation, pregnancy, and premenopause, hormonal changes are almost always inevitable.

To reduce the effects of this imbalance on you, you should try out babassu oil. This oil is packed with active properties that can help in the balancing of your hormones while eliminating the other things that accompany hormonal imbalance.

However, it is important to be careful when using the oil, especially during pregnancy, as it might come with some side effects like a swollen thyroid gland or even pregnancy complications. This is why it is important to speak with your doctor before using the oil, especially if you are pregnant. Take or use in moderate amounts, too, and avoid overuse.

Eliminates Body Odor

Body odor is one thing everybody wants to avoid. This is why people spend heavily on deodorants. Well, the good news about babassu oil is that as much as it can improve your health, it can also make you smell nice without you having to break the bank.

You can make a DIY deodorant at home using babassu oil. People who have used the oil in their DIY deodorant-making process have reported a better experience, with a longer nice-smelling time. Making deodorant out of your babassu oil is quite easy. All you need to do is add other ingredients like baking soda, a nice smelling essential oil, and arrowroot powder into your babassu oil.

Mix the content until the ingredients are properly dissolved into the babassu oil, and there you have it, your natural deodorant!

Strengthens the Hair

Applying babassu oil to the hair regularly can help improve the condition of the hair. Studies have shown that it can help you prevent dandruff and eliminate it if you already have it. It can also preserve your hair shiny and strong while preventing it from unnecessary breakage. It also nourishes the scalp and keeps it healthy all year long.

These and many more are reasons why babassu oil is one of the most sought-after oils by many hair care producers. If your hair breaks and you experience multiple episodes of dandruff, you should try using babassu oil on your hair. Administer it to your scalp and rub it into your hair. Repeat this twice a day and record your experiences.

If the hair breakage persists after using babassu oil, you should consult your doctor, as it may be caused by an underlying health condition.

Improves Skin Conditions

As much as possible, everyone tries to keep their skin healthy and good-looking because it is one of the first things that people notice about you. Babassu oil remains one of the best oils used in the production of many skincare products.

This is because of its properties. It is packed with antioxidants that eliminate skin cell damage. In addition, applying babassu oil to your skin regularly can help slow down the effects of old age on your skin. It also helps in the renewal and regeneration of the skin by eliminating scars and keeping the skin soft, healthy, and supple.

Coupled with these, it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that are good at preventing skin infections. It also moistens the skin and clears the skin of stretch marks.

Helps the Body to Produce Energy

When babassu oil is consumed orally through foods, it supplies the body with energy. It has a considerably high level of carbohydrates and energy-giving nutrients.

Thus, if you feel low on energy, rather than taking an energy drink, why not prepare your meals with babassu oil?

Due to its high tendency to provide energy, most people who engage in strenuous activities try to replenish their energy by eating meals cooked with babassu oil. What is more? It is healthy, edible, tasty, and easy to use.

All you require to do is add it to your meal preparations. Not only will it give you a sweet aroma and taste, but it will also keep you healthy and strong.

Improves Cognition

It can be a thing of concern when you find it difficult to concentrate or tend to forget things easily. As much as it is important to report these conditions at the hospital to get properly checked to ensure that you do not have an underlying health condition that may be precipitating this, you should also adopt natural methods in the treatment process.

Babassu oil is one natural oil that can help boost cognition and speed up your healing process. Babassu oil is packed with antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals that cause oxidative damage to the cells in the body, including the brain cells.

In other words, it can prevent or put an end to a process that can cause brain or cognitive decline. It is best to communicate with your doctor to know if you can take babassu oil alongside your medications for quicker recovery.

Conclusion

Babassu oil is a healthy oil you should try out. Its uses are not limited to the kitchen. You can also spread it over your skin and hair for better results.