What Makes Coconuts Amazing?

Coconuts have slowly become a very hot and versatile food commodity. They are being used in everything from our daily cuisine to our beauty regimens.

Not too long ago, coconuts had a bad reputation as being an artery-clogging, cholesterol-packed food that contributed to heart disease. Today, however, the coconut is making a huge comeback as the new miracle food.

Coconuts are highly nutritious, rich in fiber, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. From culinary creations to magic beauty potions, coconuts pack a good punch.

1. Prevents Dehydration

Young coconuts are more health-enhancing of the two. The water in the young coconut is one of the highest sources of electrolytes.

Electrolytes are responsible for keeping the body properly hydrated so the muscles and nerves can function appropriately.

Therefore, it is more beneficial to drink the water from a young coconut after an intense workout rather than the commercial sports drinks we see advertised.

2. Helps Meet Nutritional Requirements

Coconut water is also low in calories, carbohydrates, and sugars, and almost completely fat-free. In addition, it is high in ascorbic acid, B vitamins, and proteins.

3. Provides Food Rich in Antioxidants

Furthermore, the soft meat or flesh, inside the coconut helps to restore oxidative tissue damage and contains a source of healthy fats, proteins, and various vitamins and minerals.

4. Offers Good Fat

Despite its natural healing wonders, a lot of people are still confused as to whether or not coconut oil is good for our health because of its high content of saturated fats.

However, do not mistake hydrogenated coconut oil with pure cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil. Pure coconut oil is derived from the mature coconuts which contain harder flesh.

The white flesh is shredded, collected, and then cold-pressed at 90–100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unprocessed, unrefined virgin coconut oil is not hydrogenated and is a safe choice for consumption.

5. Aids in Weight Loss

Although coconut oil is saturated fat, it is unlike the high-calorie, cholesterol-soaked, long-chain saturated fat. It is rich in a medium-chain fatty acid that can help boost metabolism and aid in fat loss.

It is metabolized quickly and instead of fat sticking to your belly, it gets burned off as energy. It also helps detoxify your body and balances your digestive tract.

One of the better-known uses of coconut oil is for cooking food. Coconut oil is one of the most stable oils when cooking in high heat.

It does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperatures like other vegetable oils do. In addition, it can be used as a spread for baking and for making delicious raw, vegan desserts.

6. Improves Beauty and Skin Health

To add to its impressive list of benefits, coconut oil can also be used topically on the skin and hair.

Instead of bathing your skin with synthetic toxic lotions and creams, coconut oil can be used to nourish and moisturize our skin, scalp, and hair.

Coconut oil has been used as both food and medicine for many centuries.

7. Coconuts Are a Great Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

Contrary to popular belief, one of the health benefits of coconut is it helps fight acne. A lot of people mistakenly believe eating food with high-fat content leads to skin problems.

At least three factors contribute to acne:

• Excessive oil production
• Clogged pores
• Bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)

Some factors may also increase risks such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and obesity.

One piece of evidence of the effectiveness of coconut against acne is a 2009 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. It found out that lauric acid, which is abundant in coconut, can reduce acne inflammation.

It may even be a better therapeutic option than benzoyl peroxide, which is a common acne treatment.

Another of the benefits of coconut is it contains capric acid, which reduces skin dryness that worsens acne. The fatty acid creates a layer that traps the skin’s moisture.

 Credit: sunwarrior.com

 

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