The Benefits of Eating Coconut
Posted on 24 August 2008
Coconut is King
This weekend while strolling around London I came across a guy (The self proclaimed Coconut King) selling ‘Jelly Coconuts’ I have a weak spot for fresh unique foods so had to give one a try, it was a two step process first he would cut off the top of the coconut and allow you to drink the juice which tastes like nutty/sweet water, an amazing thirst quencher! Once this is done he chops the thing up and allows you to scoop out the flesh to eat, but these were no normal coconuts they were the ‘Jelly’ variety which has a soft chewy flesh which is delicious. Here’s a picture of the Coconut King in action.
What is amazing about coconut is that its re-vitalizing properties are almost instant, within 5 minutes of some fresh coconut you will feel a burst of energy, clarity of mind and well-being. This whole experience inspired me to write something up about coconuts many health benefits.
Saturated Fat/Cholesterol
First of all lets banish the myth that Coconuts are high in cholesterol, they are not. The fat from coconut is considered saturated but it is actually called Lauric Acid which is a type of fat which is easily absorbed by the human body and used instantly as energy.
Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid which is abundant in coconut oil and is considered responsible for many of its health benefits. Coconut oil is about 50 percent lauric acid. The only other abundant source found in nature is in human breast milk.
This is quite amazing by itself and shows the power of the oil as it is such a close match to our mothers milk just imagine how powerful this stuff is!
Antibacterial
Coconut is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal it is a great cleanser of our guts and is something that can help heal the gut should problems like leaky gut syndrome occur. On top of this Coconut will help your body fight off infection so its a great thing to eat when you are unwell or feel something coming on, this is thanks to it being converted to Monolaurin by the body which fights off infections (viral or bacterial).
Stable for Cooking
Coconut oil itself which can be purchased pretty cheaply in your local health food store is hands down the best cooking oil. It is stable at high heats retaining all of its benefits (unlike Olive oil) and it will leave the food with a delicious taste. I use coconut oil for cooking anything from eggs to frying my chicken.
Weight Loss/Metabolism Boosting
The effect on your thyroid coconuts have are shocking, they can boost thyroid function by up to 20%. Having an efficient thyroid is essential for out bodies to carry out several functions including boosting our metabolism and energy production.
In the 1940’s farmers tried coconut oil to fatten their animals but discovered that it made them lean and active and increased their appetite. Whoops! Then they tried an anti-thyroid drug. It made the livestock fat with less food but was found to be a carcinogen (cancer causing drug). In the late 1940’s, it was found that the same anti-thyroid effect could be achieved by simply feeding animals soybeans and corn.
Cancer Fighter
It keeps getting better, coconut has been proven to have anti-cancer effects especially of the colon and breast. This is due to the oils protective nature and ability to safeguard the body from infection whilst cleansing your system.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is again an amazing substance, this stuff has an array of health benefits firstly it is low in carbs and sugars and one of the best hydrators, fluid replacers know to man.
- Coconut Water is More Nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol!
- Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk- It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother’s milk
- Coconut water is naturally sterile — Water permeates though the filtering husk!
- Coconut water is a universal donor– Its identical to human blook plasma - this is the most amazing one!
- Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
- Coconut Water is probably the best Hangover prevention. If you come home after one too many drinks have a glass before bed, its pretty amazing…..
How to use it?
Well if you ever come across some fresh get some. Otherwise there are a variety of different ways; Firstly I would recommend you pickup a small container of Extra Virgin Coconut oil and a can or two of the coconut milk.
- Use the oil to do your cooking, try it when frying things like eggs or meat.
- Add the milk to curry’s for flavor and texture
- Add Either milk or oil to your shake’s
- Mix some of the milk into your yoghurt or drizzle on berries
- Add a small spoon of the oil to your tea or coffee
Check out these related articles below:
Marks Daily Apple on Cooking oils
Great Coconut Oil article at Weston Price
Hope you picked up something new from this and I have inspired you to give coconuts a try. It can get you leaner, fight off infection and keep your body cleansed.
Quick Update:
I found an excellent Coconut Water drink available worldwide, its 100% coconut milk and pretty cheap, I have been using it after yoga workouts or days I am feeling in need of a lift, probably the best tasting natural stuff ever and the only calorie containing drink I will touch: Check it here http://vitacoco.com/
Comment by Methuselah
24 August 2008
Good post - I am a big fan of coconut and have found it comes in 4 forms:
1. As you say, it’s perfect as an oil for cooking (the smell and taste are so much better than other oils)
2. Fresh, it can be great (but watch out for those pesky supermarkets selling you old ones that are off inside!) But can be a pain to get into - hammer and screwdriver required!
3. In a can as ‘coconut milk’(provided it’s a decent version without nasty additives) - this can be used as a cream substitute - great on strawberries - or in cooking instead of cream such as with a chicken korma
4. Coconut Creme - this comes as a solid block and is concentrated essence of coconut flesh - can be eaten as a treat but watch out - very more-ish! I bet that Coconut King dude was selling that too - I’ve often found it on Jamaican food stalls at our market.
Methuselah
Pay Now Live Later
Comment by Keith Norris
24 August 2008
Very interesting. Thanks for that, Chris.
Keith
Comment by Dave Fowler
24 August 2008
Thanks for this Chris,
Just as a matter of interest, are coconuts big on calories?
I like the sound of the jelly variety. I’ll be looking out for it now.
Cheers,
Dave
Comment by warren
24 August 2008
Love the stuff!!
I’m lucky as I live in Thailand and have atleast 1 coconut a day. You can’t beat the milk straight out of the coconut when its cold. Its Nature’s Gatorade. Then I get stuck into the meat (which is sweet and easy to digest).
I also use 100% virgin oil in my smoothies for its health benefits too.
Just goes to show the power of big business marketing as for most of my childhood and adult life I was bombarded with negative advertising about this type of fat. Turns out as so often it does it was just propaganda.
Bring on the Coconuts!!
Cheers
Comment by Chris
25 August 2008
@ Dave. Coconuts are fairly big on calories but all the fat is extremely good for you and if you are using it in moderation you will be fine.
@ Warren. I agree with you on the power of marketing its a great shame how coconuts have been demonized. The amount of people who won’t touch them because they are full of “saturated fat” is crazy. Glad your enjoying the fresh stuff must be awesome in Thailand!!
Comment by Jayadeep Purushothaman
25 August 2008
I am from a coconut country where there are coconuts all over the place and we can’t do cooking without coconut. So this is great stuff to keep on using coconuts! Coconut is king really!
Comment by Dave Fowler
25 August 2008
Chris,
Thanks for the reply. I thought that might be the case, but as I don’t often get to eat coconut it’s not a problem. I was just curious.
Cheers
Dave
Comment by Richard Nikoley
26 August 2008
While I’ve used the canned coconut milk for a long time (I love to make Thai curries), I only recently discovered coconut oil.
Here’s a recent excursion, where I even took a bottle camping.
http://www.honestylog.com/root/2008/08/roughing-it.html
I must also second those who’ve mentioned putting it in smoothies or shakes. I don’t have shakes every day, but when I do, here’s my recipe:
1 scoop whey powder (Gold Standard is good), chocolate, vanilla, or whatever.
2 eggs
1/2 cup heavy organic cream
1/2 cup raw whole milk (non homogenized); yea, we can get raw milk in California and I get mine at Whole Foods.
1 tsp to 1 tbsp of coconut oil, to taste. I have tried the coconut milk, too, but even half a cup doesn’t seem to deliver the flavor that even a teaspoon of the oil does.
Mix it all up in a blender with a handful of ice. I’ve only tried it with the choc and vanilla flavored powders, and both are excellent.
Also, try just a teaspoon of the oil now and then, and just let it melt in your mouth.
Comment by Danielle
26 August 2008
Mmmmm…One Natural Experience Coconut Water is how I start each day!
Comment by Chris
26 August 2008
@ Richard. Glad your enjoying the blog, I have been a on/off reader of yours for a while now. Your recipe for the shake looks great, extremely nutritious lucky you can get raw milk it must be awesome!