Coconut is one of those wonderful fruits that provide a person’s nutritional needs and have many health benefits. By the way, this nut can even save lives. Few people know that it lowers sugar and cholesterol levels, saves from dehydration, and in some extreme cases, its juice can be used as a replacement for blood plasma. And that’s not all the amazing facts about this product.
What is coconut
Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut trees found on tropical seashores. A mature tree grows up to 30 m in height, while the diameter of the pillar rarely exceeds 40 cm.
Interestingly, the name of the fruit, translated from Portuguese, means “monkey”. Someone once noticed that the spotted nut is very similar to the face of a monkey. This is how the name appeared for the tree. ..
Although the fruits of this palm tree are usually called walnuts, they are actually drupes. It consists of an upper fibrous layer, a hard shell, and the white fleshy flesh eaten is the seed of the fruit. The liquid inside the nut is scientifically called the endosperm, and it is part of the seed. Over time (during the ripening of the fruit), this liquid turns into a yellowish oily substance. A ripe coconut can weigh between 1,5 and 2,5 kg.
It is difficult to say when and where the first coconut tree appeared on the planet. Although it is clear that her homeland is warm countries, presumably Malaysia. Wild trees are common in both hemispheres, but for industrial purposes this palm is grown in Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, as well as the Philippines.
Nutritional value and composition
Believe it or not, coconut has had a pretty bad reputation recently. These nuts were thought to cause clogged arteries, raise cholesterol, and trigger heart disease.
Today, however, mankind already knows that these wonderful fruits are extremely nutritious, rich in fiber, essential vitamins and minerals.
Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, which are essential for proper hydration of muscles and nerve cells. The liquid in coconuts contains almost no calories, carbohydrates and fats, but it is rich in B vitamins, ascorbic acid and proteins. But the crumb of the fruit, on the contrary, is an exceptional source of healthy fats, and also contains many minerals, vitamins and amino acids.
Coconut oil is a source of natural lipids, including saturated medium-chain lipids, which are useful for improving metabolism and losing weight.
Nutritional value at 100 g farmer-online.com
Caloric content 354 kcal Proteins 3,3 g Fats 33,5 g Carbohydrates 6,23 g Vitamin C 3,3 mg Vitamin E 0,24 mg Vitamin K 0,2 μg Thiamine 0,066 mg Niacin 0,54 mg Pantothenic acid 0,3 mg Pyridoxine 0,054 mg Folic acid 26 μg Choline 12,1 mg Calcium 14 mg Iron 2,43 mg Magnesium 32 mg Phosphorus 113 mg Potassium 356 mg Sodium 20 mg Zinc 1,1 mg Copper 0,43 mg Manganese 1,5 mg Selenium 10,1, 47 μg Water 0,97 g Ash XNUMX g
Useful Properties
The inhabitants of ancient India knew about the health benefits of coconuts. They used the plant as an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and immune-boosting agent. But a more complete list of the advantages of this fruit was discovered by mankind relatively recently – when researchers began to study its chemical composition and effect on the cells of the body.
One of the most amazing properties of coconut was discovered during the Second World War. In the Pacific region, doctors faced with a deficiency of blood plasma used pure coconut water from young nuts to save the lives of soldiers instead of the necessary substance. It turned out that its composition is almost identical to the chemical formula of human blood. farmer-online.com… Moreover, coconut liquid is ideal for people with any blood type.
Due to their unique properties, coconuts can be beneficial in the following cases .. ..:
- strengthening the immune system;
- supplying the body with energy and increasing physical endurance;
- regulation of cholesterol;
- improve digestion;
- stabilization of glucose levels;
- activation of insulin production;
- fight against cancer;
- restoration of the correct functioning of the thyroid gland;
- prevention of diseases of the bladder and kidneys;
- the fight against viruses;
- hormonal regulation;
- weight loss;
- improved metabolism;
- getting rid of bacteria;
- fight against infections;
- memory improvement;
- protection of hair and skin from ultraviolet radiation and early aging.
Benefits of coconut products
You don’t have to include only the pulp in your diet to experience the benefits of coconut. There are other forms that also have beneficial effects on the body.
Coconut oil
It is considered one of the healthiest and safest foods for cooking. When it comes to chemical composition, it becomes clear that coconut oil is superior to olive oil in its benefits. Unlike other types of cooking fats, this product does not form polymerized lipids or dangerous trans fats that increase cholesterol levels in the body.
Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that help improve overall health. This substance is able to cleanse the body of toxins, and as a cosmetic product it perfectly moisturizes the skin, slows down its aging, and keeps it smooth and healthy for a long time.
In addition, this product is useful in protecting teeth from bacteria that cause tooth decay and other diseases. And when applied to your gums, it can help prevent bleeding and strengthen your teeth.
Another benefit of coconut oil is that it helps you lose weight. This food, rich in unsaturated fat, regulates the thyroid gland and speeds up the metabolism. It is these two factors that define coconut oil’s reputation as an anti-obesity agent. ..
Coconut water
Another amazing ability of coconuts is to purify water. These fruits are delicious natural filters. It takes a nut nearly nine months to cleanse a liter of water contained in its shell. The result is a crystal clear and sterile fluid that, as it turns out, can even be poured into human blood vessels.
In addition, coconut water contains the highest concentration of electrolytes known from nature. As a result, this substance is ideal for hydration.
Coconut cream
This product, which is made from the pulp of a nut, resembles milk, but is thicker in consistency. Cosmetologists claim that this is the best skin care product. Unlike traditional creams, which actually forcibly introduce fat molecules into the skin, coconut butter cream moisturizes the cream, activates the production of its own secretion.
Other benefits of coconut foods for the body:
- The pulp of the fruit contains lauric acid – a substance necessary to increase the level of the so-called good cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins are needed to maintain the health of the coronary arteries and also prevent atherosclerosis.
- In addition to many vitamins and minerals, coconut water contains enzymes (phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, peroxidase, polymerase, and others) that contribute to proper digestion.
- Coconut water contains unique substances – cytokines, which, as studies have shown, slow down aging 1, remove carcinogens from the body and prevent the formation of clots in the blood vessels.
- Coconut pulp is rich in fiber. And this fact makes the fetus useful for bowel function, preventing hyperglycemia, lowering blood pressure, ensuring satiety, and also for strengthening immunity.
- Raw nuts contain monolaurin and at least three fatty acids (caprylic, capric, lauric), which have antiviral and antibacterial properties. In addition, fatty acids help control yeast levels, preventing candidiasis.
- Coconut oil is useful for treating and preventing acne. Lauric acid, getting into the sebaceous glands, cleanses them of bacteria, thus preventing inflammation.
- Coconut oil can also help restore shine to damaged and weakened hair. This product moisturizes the hair and provides it with additional proteins. In addition, due to its specific formula, coconut oil is known to penetrate hair cells more easily than other herbal products.
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- Children with pneumonia who consume coconut oil recover more easily and quickly, and have less fever and easier breathing.
How to choose coconuts
There are a few things to consider when it comes to buying coconut products. Still, whole coconuts are healthier than those made from these fruits. Meanwhile, finding quality fruit outside of tropical countries is sometimes problematic.
It is worth remembering that young nuts contain more pure unsaturated fat compared to more mature fruits. It is young coconuts that have a better effect on the immune system and metabolism, and they are also more effective in fighting wrinkles. But how do you know how old the coconut is in front of you? Young nuts are usually green in color and unusual in shape. Their crumb is softer, sometimes gel-like, while in more mature fruits it is hard and less juicy. Brown and hairy fruits are ripe nuts. They are, of course, also useful, but still not as useful as the young ones.
Coconuts in cooking
Coconuts are often used by culinary professionals. Due to its health benefits and low glycemic index, coconut oil has replaced other vegetable fats and butter for many. In addition, coconut sugar and flour are often used in cooking, which have a reputation for being healthy and delicious ingredients.
Coconut flour is the dried and crushed pulp of the fruit. It is prized for its lack of gluten, low carbohydrate content, but high fiber concentration. This product is ideal for baking.
Coconut milk is made by mixing chopped pulp and water, then filtering the mixture through cheesecloth. This product is a traditional ingredient in Thai cuisine. This same substance, but in a thicker concentration, is called coconut cream.
Coconut sugar is a product made from the sweet juice of the plant. It tastes like cane, but with a caramel flavor. Its main feature is its high concentration of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It is characterized by a low glycemic index, which makes this product suitable for consumption by people with diabetes.
Coconut pulp is a versatile food. It can be eaten raw, boiled, or dried. Finely chopped on a grater or in small, lightly toasted pieces, it is excellent in salads. Blended coconut is a great addition to smoothies or yogurt drinks.
In tropical countries, coconut is an exotic side dish. To do this, chopped garlic, red pepper, lemon juice, coriander and fresh mint leaves, ginger and coconut milk are added to freshly grated coconut.
How to open a coconut
Perhaps this is the only difficulty with these nuts. Now you will learn how to open coconuts.
Place the nut on a cutting board and make a hole with a metal screwdriver or a nail in one of the “eyes” of the fruit (only one of the three “eyes” will be soft and susceptible to impact). Drain the coconut water through the hole. After that, hit the point with the blunt side of the knife several times, at a distance of about 1/3 from the “eyes” to the other end of the nut. Insert a knife into the crack that appears and easily turn it. After that (if done correctly) the nut will split into halves.
Coconut is a plant with thousands of years of history, and its fruits play a key role as a useful food, especially for crops that inhabit the shores of the Western Pacific Ocean. And although opening this nut is not an easy task, the fragrant pulp and healthy juice inside are worth a little tinkering.
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