Coconut oil is a natural fat burner. It contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Says a report in the ‘American Journal of Clinical Nutrition’, MCTs are useful for managing weight. This is because MCTs are metabolised differently than long-chain fatty acids and break down rapidly, going straight to the liver to be turned into ketones for instant energy, rather than be stored as fat. Coconut oil is said to keep your metabolic rate raised for 24 hours after consumption. MCTs also work to suppress appetite by increasing feelings of fullness. But coconut oil is still a fat, so use it in moderation – don’t have more than 2-3 tablespoons in a day. Use it in cooking or add to a smoothie. Don’t forget to have your daily dose of exercise, too.