Coconuts have remained popular in the tropical regions and now all over the world. In this article we will review the benefits of coconut products and why should you include them in your diet.
Coconuts have been around for more than 4,500 years and they’ve been used for generations. You’ve probably heard that they are high on saturated fat, which could potentially harm your heart, which is not the case nowadays. In recent years coconuts have proven their health-promoting benefits and here we will embrace the coconut as a good addition to your diet.
The Benefits of Coconut
Before we discover the benefits of coconut, first we need to understand what coconut is? A Nut, A fruit? In fact, the coconut can be a nut, fruit, and seed. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate guideline, the coconuts are a great source of satiating fiber, contributing to healthy digestion. Consuming coconut products you will receive vitamin B6, iron, and minerals like copper, manganese, selenium, and magnesium.
Approximately half of the saturated fat in coconuts comes from lauric acid, which can raise levels of health-protective HDL, which is good cholesterol. There is nothing wrong with using some small amount of coconut oil as an addition to your diet in order to extract only the benefits.
As far as coconut water, it is a generous source of potassium, which is a mineral that helps with the balance of sodium levels in the body, and furthermore, it is regulating blood pressure. Coconut water is good but according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the roomer that it is better than plain water remains a myth.
We also have coconut flour, which is coconut meat when dried. It is around 5 g of fiber in just 2 tbsp, which is an impressive replacement for traditional white flour. It is recommended for people following a gluten-free diet. Here is everything that coconut has to offer and how to get it.
Coconut Oil – If you are looking for coconut oil, you have a wide-rage of options, depending on what you will use it for. In general, you can choose from refined or virgin coconut oil, where the unrefined virgin oil can be applied to your hair and skin as far as the refined oil makes excellent natural cooking oil. Both have different flavours and smells as well as the smoking points.
For instance, the virgin oil smoking temp is around 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the refined coconut oil up to 400 degrees F. Additionally the coconut oil does not have to be refrigerated and you can simply store it in a dry and cool place. Keep in mind that the coconut oil is solid under 76 degrees F, above that it becomes liquid.
Coconut Milk – Depending on your dietary goals, coconut milk comes in a can and you can choose from full or reduced-fat milk. It’s important to make sure that the milk you’re buying is free of added ingredients. The ideal coconut milk should contain only coconut and water.
On the other hand, you can always purchase coconut beverages where the added sugar is easily noticeable. All coconut drinks are slightly sweet and all of them have to be refrigerated. There are also plenty of coconut products containing coconut milk for you to enjoy, which we will review later in the article.
Coconut Water – Again, you have a lot of options when looking for coconut water. It all comes to your taste preferences. If you are looking for clear coconut water make sure that there is no added sugar, otherwise you can find no-calorie sweetener if you enjoy the sweet taste.
We should also mention the Coconut Flour which is easily accessible in grocery stores. You can easily buy bags of it online and store them in a dry or cold place. Now when you have a better understanding, a helpful tip would be to rub the oil on your skin to reduce dryness or apply it to your hair for moisture. You can even use it to remove makeup as a natural source.
Health Benefits of Coconuts
Coconuts are a great source of antioxidants and many other vitamins and minerals. They can assist you in your weight loss diet and keep you hydrated. Digestion is another thing that benefits from the coconuts consumption. Here we have created a small list of health coconut benefits.
Hydration – Drinking coconut water you receive all the electrolytes that your body needs. In fact, the coconut water is the highest-rated source of electrolytes even more than the steam water. It also helps for the muscles and nerves functionality.
Skin Health – Applying coconut oil to your skin could be extremely beneficial. It contains many antioxidants that are slowing down the aging process and defend your skin from the sun radiation. All it takes is a few drops of coconut oil onto your skin, and make sure to use it before showering as it will be easier for the oil to be absorbed.
Enhance Weight Loss – If you are having trouble losing weight, maybe consuming coconuts will help you. Even saturated fat is not dangerous, containing acid that not only benefits your weight loss but also stimulates your metabolism.
Boost Immune System – Coconuts contain many anti-parasite, anti-viral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Bones & Teeth Health – The daily consumption of coconut products can improve the development of strong teeth and bones. By consuming coconuts you will improve your body’s ability to absorb calcium and manganese. Furthermore coconuts are a great alternative for people with lactose intolerance.
Lucky for you there are many recipes online that you can use and prepare a wide-rage of coconut consumables to extract all the benefits. Coconut milk and oil are easily accessible in the markets for everyone to enjoy. Now when you know all these health benefits what’s stopping you?
Bottom Line:
We can easily conclude that coconuts have many benefits and they can contribute to your health. Its oil has a wide range of applications, it is easily accessible for everyone to purchase. Coconut products can be found everywhere, but the best in the industry are always from BukoExpress.
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