The Nutritional and Therapeutic Benefits of Coconuts
Coconuts are a wellspring of health benefits for the body—their flavorful oil, water, milk, and meat offer nutrition, skin care, and culinary treasures.
Though drinking coconut water may bring to mind exotic tropical vacations and little paper umbrellas, the nutritional value and health benefits of coconut water, oil, and milk are well known. In the countries where coconuts grow, their meat and water are part of the daily diet, and some locals even drink coconut water regularly to ward off parasites.
History
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, originated in Southeast Asia. It traveled throughout the Pacific with merchant sailors or on the drifting ocean currents. Coconuts can float long distances and, once washed ashore, can put down roots to grow again.
The word “coco” comes from Portugal, meaning skull or head from the small green or brown inner coconut globe, which looks like a monkey face with three eyes and coconut fiber hair.
Benefits
Coconuts are a sustainable food that supply nutrition for millions of people. Every part of the coconut tree is useful. Its therapeutic effects vary depending on the plant parts used. Its properties include antihelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, antitumor, antihypertensive, and anti-osteoporosis.
Coconut meat contains dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Young green coconut water is refreshing and delicious. In 2013, it exploded in popularity as a sports drink due to its many natural electrolytes. Since 2015, the export of fresh coconuts by the Philippines, the world’s biggest producer, has increased by more than 80 percent.
Originally rejected as a dietary oil due to its saturated fat content, researchers have now found a unique lipid in coconut oil called medium-chain fatty acid that has excellent potential for nutritional and therapeutic use.
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The best quality coconut oil is unrefined, called virgin coconut oil (VCO). Fresh coconut meat is pressed to extract the oil. The best extraction method is cold pressed as it preserves more nutrients.
Heart
Saturated fats, once thought harmful because of their effect on increasing cholesterol, have been blamed for various cardiac diseases. However, new research has shown that MCFA does not affect cholesterol as it is burned immediately by the body for energy.
Brain
Coconut water is known to help boost serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps elevate mood and fight depression. Animal studies have shown promise in its use as an antidepressant.
Cancer
Numerous animal studies in the literature praise the many benefits of coconut water. Although results have been promising in cancer research, more clinical studies are needed.
Eyes
Research continues into the possible benefits of coconut water for eye health. The antioxidants and nutrients in coconut water and coconut oil show promise in slowing the progression of macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory, moisturizing properties can help reduce dark under-eye circles and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin and Hair
Many beauty products for hair and skin contain coconut oil for its moisturizing properties.
Bones and Teeth
Preliminary animal research indicates that VCO may prevent bone loss in post-menopausal women. How this happens needs more research.
The anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil make it excellent for oil pulling, an ancient practice of swishing or pulling oil through the teeth, which helps remove bacteria from the mouth and improve oral hygiene.
Diabetes
The high nutrition and antioxidant properties of coconut water can potentially reduce blood sugar and diabetic retinal damage, as one Chinese study indicated. Coconut water may also help reduce kidney damage caused by diabetes.
Nutrition
Find the many beneficial nutrients of coconut water here.
Who Should Avoid Coconut?
- Those with kidney problems since coconut water contains high levels of potassium.
- Those at risk of heart disease due to coconut’s saturated fat content.
