Why a Spoonful of Coconut Oil Could Improve Your Workouts

Coconut Oil is comprised largely of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT's). As the name would suggest, these fatty acids are shorter than the Long Chain Triglycerides (LCT's) which are more commonly found and consumed within our diets - beef, eggs, cheese etc.

Their smaller size mean that MCT's bypass many of the processes that LCT's undergo before being a readily available energy source. Whereas LCT's have to be broken down via bile from the liver before they can be digested in the small intestine, MCT's compact nature mean they are transported directly into the bloodstream.

Once in your bloodstream they're ready to be shuttled directly into your muscles, making them the superior choice of fats if you're looking for a source of immediate energy. This is why coconut oil or any other MCT oils are the perfect addition to your black coffee if you're heading to the gym and are not a fan of typical pre workout supplements.

Opting for fats over carbohydrates as your primary source of energy before a workout has also been shown to improve metabolic flexibility (your body's ability to choose and switch between its preferred energy source) and increase insulin sensitivity, encouraging your body to burn fat for fuel even beyond the training window. This is of course providing that your calories between waking and before your pre workout meal have come almost entirely from proteins and fats.

Oh and before you get too carried away (and add spoonfuls to every coffee you have), do remember to take into account when supplementing this way that every 5g of Coconut Oil will contain 5g of fat and 45 calories. One teaspoon pre workout should be plenty.