Coconut oil, processed with special “ digestive “ enzymes, inhibits the growth and destroys caries bacteria Streptococcus Mutans – and protects teeth from destruction.
This was stated by biologists at the conference of the Society for General Microbiology in the british Warwick on Monday.
The bacterium Streptococcus mutans eats sugar and other carbohydrates and secretes lactic acid, destroying tooth enamel. In recent years, scientists have been trying to find a way to force the body to destroy these bacilli and thereby protect themselves from caries.
A group of biologists led by Damien Brady from the Athlon Institute of Technology has studied the effects of various foods on bacteria in the mouth.
Previously, scientists noticed that some partially digested foods, in particular, milk, negatively affect the vital activity of streptococci, preventing them from attaching to the enamel of the teeth and forming plaque.
Brady and his colleagues went through several types of liquid and solid food, until they got to coconut oil.
Researches have found that coconut oil, processed by digestive enzymes, destroys or suspends the growth of most species of streptococci that live in the oral cavity, including Streptococcus mutans.
Scientists do not yet know which components of coconut oil adversely affect the vital activity of bacteria, but even in this state, the “ overcooked “ oil can be used as a therapeutic agent.
Biolologists suggest that “ overcooked “ foods will help fight other infections of the digestive system.