6 Awesome Facts About Coconuts
Over the years, coconuts have exponentially grown in popularity as a food product. Today, coconuts have become a versatile food commodity and people are using them as beauty regimens and daily health boosters among other uses. Research has shown that coconuts are highly nutritious with essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre and hence have numerous benefits to us. Here are five reasons Coconuts are an awesome fruit:
They Are Filled With Nutritional Goodness
Coconuts are not only nutritious but also rich in fibre and vitamins E, C, B1, B5, B6 as well as minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and selenium. These vitamins and mineral elements play a key role in maintaining one’s health. For instance, minerals found in coconut help in bone and teeth formation and development. Vitamins, on the other hand, play a role in maintaining a healthy body e.g. Vitamin C prevents you from getting scurvy. In addition, coconut milk can be used to substitute cow’s milk especially for those who have lactose intolerance because it does not contain lactose. For this reason, coconut milk is a popular choice for vegans and can be used to make milkshakes, smoothies and even be used for baking at home.
Kills Harmful Micro-Organisms
According to a scientific research, 12-carbon Lauric Acid makes up about 50% of the fatty acids found in coconut oil. When you ingest coconut oil and this Lauric Acid is digested, your body produces a substance known as Monolaurin. Monolaurin and Lauric Acid have been proven to kill pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, thus effectively preventing infections. In fact, the research shows that Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria and Candida Albicans yeast have been suppressed and treated by Monolaurin and Lauric Acid. Therefore, coconut products support the immune system of humans because it’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-parasite and anti-viral.
Skin and Hair Care
Coconut oil is widely used to make beauty products which are used in skin and hair care treatment. In some areas, people use raw coconut oil to treat head lice, dandruff, baldness and even apply on their skin and hair. Coconut oil has profound effects either raw or as a manufactured product because it is used in strengthening and nourishing the hair. On the skin, coconut oil and its products are used to prevent wrinkles, prevent flaking, dryness, age spots and sagging skin. The oil can be applied on the skin to protect against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays of the sun especially to those people who have sensitive skins.
Prevents Heart Disease
It is a myth that coconut oil contains saturated fats which cause heart diseases, but it is false! Although coconut oil contains saturated fats, this misconception has been proven to be wrong after thorough research studies. On the contrary, these saturated fats have been proven to be harmless and are a type of unique fat molecule known as Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA) that helps prevent heart diseases. MCFAs are metabolised differently as these fat molecules go straight to the liver where they are metabolised as a quick source of energy. This prevents the formation of arterial plague, therefore preventing heart disease. In addition, medium chain fatty acids increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels and lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood. Improving HDL: LDL ratio prevents heart disease because imbalances are the basis of heart attacks.
Aids in Weight Loss
MCFC found in coconut oil are easily metabolised to release energy, this prevents the excess formation of fats in the body. This fast process of metabolising also facilitates the functions of the pancreas, thereby increasing body metabolism and consequently reducing weight. Excess fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are stored in the body as glycogen which can then be converted into glucose during starvation or when the need arises. Coconut oil on the other hand aids in fast metabolism helping in weight loss and reducing the odds of pancreatitis by increasing the efficiency of the pancrease.
Antioxidant and Anticancer
Virgin oil, also referred to as coconut oil which has been extracted through cold press process contains Tocopherol (Vitamin E), p-Coumaric and Ferulic acids that are known as antioxidants. Antioxidants contained in coconut oil protect the body from free radicals that primarily cause degenerative diseases, premature aging, and even cancer. It is also important to know that the anti-oxidative property of virgin oil protects other essential fatty acids found in the body from undergoing any oxidation which is good for overall health.
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