There are many benefits of coconut oil, both in cooking and foods, as well as in medicinal and beauty usage. One of the most significant constituents of coconut oil is a saturated fat called lauric acid. This acid increases good cholesterol in the blood to help improve the ratio of good cholesterol/bad cholesterol levels. Lauric acid is also a type of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) that when broken down helps in efficiently burning energy and further helps to keep your weight balanced.