Can adding coconut butter into one's diet improve mental health? If so, how?

Can Adding Coconut Butter Benefit Your Mental Health?

Coconut butter is a delicious and nutritious ingredient that is gaining popularity in the culinary world. You might be wondering, though, can heart-healthy fats from coconut butter really boost your mood and mental health? Research suggests that it just might.

Understanding the Nutritional Profile of Coconut Butter

Coconut butter is pureed from the meat of the coconut and contains all parts of the coconut: the oil, the water, and the meat. As a result, it's packed with healthy, saturated fats—particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are known to benefit brain health (Hetzel, Kris, 2017).

Coconut Butter and Brain Health

MCTs, unlike other fats, are processed by the body in a unique way. Rather than being stored as fat, MCTs go directly from the gut to the liver, where they are converted into ketones, a type of fat that the brain uses for energy. This quick supply of energy can help to improve brain function and mood (Cunnane et al., 2016).

Moreover, the healthy fat in coconut butter aids in protecting nerve cells, a vital aspect of maintaining good mental health. Fat emboldens nerve cells to perform effectively, and this ultimately allows the brain to manage stress and mood appropriately (Piper et al., 2018).

Final Thoughts

So, while adding coconut butter to your diet won't be a cure-all solution for mental health issues, it can contribute to the overall wellbeing of your brain. Its high content of beneficial fats can help to support healthy brain function and manage stress and mood. As with any changes to your diet, it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before making noticeable shifts in your diet.