Coconuts are highly nutritious, rich in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It contains no trans fats, it's gluten free; it contains antibacterial, antiviral; anti fungal and anti-parasitic healing properties. Coconuts provides a nutritious sources of juice, milk and oil. On many island such as Polynesia and Sri Lanka; coconut is a staple in their diet and provides the majority of the food eaten.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT: The health benefits of coconuts are equally extensive, below are a few highlights:
(1) HELPS IN WEIGHT LOSS : Obesity is currently one of the biggest health problems in the world today, mainly due to the consumption of fast-foods or processed foods. Hence current health solutions are turned towards consumption of natural, unprocessed and fiber rich foods.
The fiber content of coconut makes for easy digestion. People who go on coconut product have the ability to go with out eating for several hours with no effect of hypoglycemia (meaning, low sugar level). Also, coconut oil being a healthy fat helps in burning calories. The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may positively affect body weight over the long term.
(2) GOOD SOURCE OF ENERGY : Coconut products, provides immediate source of energy with fewer calories than other fats.
(3) IMPROVES HEART HEALTH : Coconuts, consists of short and Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA) that are essential to good health. This stems from the fact that close to 98% of all fatty acid consumed are composed of Long Chain Fatty Acid (LCFA). The MCFA content in coconuts have no negative effect on cholesterol ratios. It helps lower the risk of atherosclerosis (a disease of the arteries characterizd by deposition of fatty material on their inner walls) and protects against heart disease. (www.coconutsecret.com) Equally of note here is the fact that the MCFA content in coconut oil are easily metabolized. They are sent straight from the digestive tract to the liver, where it is used to boost energy immediately or turned into ketones.
(4) HIGH IN DIETARY FIBER: Coconuts are high in fiber, measuring about 61% dietary fiber. It must be noted here that foods generally contain two types of carbohydrates; digestible carbohydrates (ie soluble fiber) and non-digestible carbohydrates (ie insoluble fiber). Digestible carbohydrates consists of starch and sugar and promotes calories while non digestible carbohydrates contains no calories. Hence since the body cannot digest the dietary fiber in coconut, no calories are derived from it and it has no effect on blood sugar. (www.coconusecret.com)
(5) REDUCES SWEET CRAVINGS: Coconuts reduces sweet cravings, improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose; The healthy fat in coconut slows down any rise in blood sugar. It promotes healthy thyroid function and helps to relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
(6) GOOD FOR EPILEPTIC AND ALZHEIMER PATIENTS: The fatty acids in coconut oil are turned into "ketones "( these are water soluble bodies produced by the liver from fatty acids during a period of low food intake, low carb diet, carbohydrate restrictive diets) which can reduce seizures. The oil turned into ketones in the liver, has therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer. (www.healthline.com) Equally of note is the ketogenic diet or life style, which involves, eating very little carbohydrates and large amount of fat leading to greatly increased concentration of ketones in the blood. Ketones in the blood, studies have shown helps treat various health disorders.
(7) HELPS IMPROVE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS: the saturated fat in coconut oil helps to increase good cholesterol in the body and also help convert the bad cholesterol into less harmful one.
COCONUT OIL AND SKIN: BENEFITS
The benefits of coconut oil to the skin is so numerous and inexhaustible, here is just a few;
(a) It acts as a skin moisturizer
(b) It acts as a sunblock or sunscreen (blocking a percentage of the sun's ultra violet rays.
(c) It takes care of vericos veins-----just apply every night to affected areas until it disappears.
(d) It equally takes care of cellulite (stretch marks) -------------to take care of this, mix honey and coconut oil, apply on affected area every night until result is achieved.
(e) It boosts the growth of eye lashes and eye brow, Protects against hair loss and damage, hence accelerating hair growth.--------keep applying on desired areas till result is achieved.
(f) It helps remove make ups. ------ just by using a cotton wool with a touch of coconut oil, your mascara, blushes and eye liners are removed for a fresher glowing healthy face.
COCONUT WATER NOT CREAM:
(a) Fresh young coconut water is the highest sources of electrolytes. Electrolytes are responsible for keeping the body properly hydrated, so the muscles and nerves can function appropriately. (http//sunwarrior.com)
(b) Fresh coconut water is a great energizer after an intense work out
(c) Coconut water is low in calories, carbohydrate and sugars. It is high in ascorbic acid, B Vitamins and proteins.
COCONUT FLOUR :
To get this in your home, just break, dry and blend your coconuts. It is gluten free, low in carbohydrates, high in fiber and ideal for baking.
NOTES: (a) Two tablespoons full of coconut oil taken daily helps in reducing abdominal fat and waist circumference. The coconut oil must be virgin or organic not refined
(b) Coconut oil facilitates weight loss, only if used as a daily substitute over daily fat intake.
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