The coconut tree is a member of the palm family, Arecaceae, and has been used as a staple food in many different cultures around the world, especially throughout the tropics and subtropics. In Thailand specially trained pig-tailed macaques are used to harvest coconuts and one can find plenty of food products derived from this "tree of life" not only in the street markets but in all the high end retail health food stores too. Coconuts are different from most fruits due to the high water content and are specifically harvested for drinking when they are young. The water of the coconut tree, the oil and the fresh white flesh of this fruit are the main items that are used however the husk of the coconut has health benefits as well. Coconuts are also a good source of manganese, iron, phosphorus and zinc.
Drinking the water right out of a fresh coconut is one of the best ways to replace your body with electrolytes. It takes a full 9 months for the coconut to be ready to harvest for the water inside and so it is a natural water filter, making the coconut water totally pure and sterile. It makes for one of the best hydration drinks out there. Lost potassium and sodium through exercise can be replaced and the natural sweetness is preferable to man made sport drinks filled with sugar. An interesting bit of information is that coconut water can be used for a plasma transfusion in an emergency situation due to the purity of it and the fact that it is nearly identical to human blood, all blood types can utilize it.
Coconut oil can help to stabilize blood sugar and is an immune booster, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial remedy. The oil of the coconut is one of the biggest topics of the health industry today with the medical establishment discovering that saturated fats do not cause heart disease or high cholesterol, but actually helps to reduce it. The traditional saturated fats we used to consume before the unsaturated fat market hit us back in the 1920's (like the use of soy, canola, corn, safflower and sunflower oil) actually protected us from a lot of the diseases we are now seeing in the modern world. Saturated fats can help promote healthy bones, provide structural integrity to cells, protect the liver and assist in the body's metabolism of essential fatty acids. There are antimicrobial properties which protect us from harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract. The above mentioned oils, when under high heat, undergo a chemical change known as auto-oxidation in which free radicals are produced. Saturated fats do not oxidize and have cholesterol lowering properties that can protect our organs and arteries. Our own bodies make both saturated fats and cholesterol, these are naturally occurring products of our bodies, as are coconuts from mother nature. Eating as close to the source is always best when trying to decide how to eat. Cholesterol is the bodies repair substance and can help the arteries when weak. When using unsaturated oils only and labeling saturated fats as our demons, we loose out.
Coconut oil helps with weight loss in that it boosts the metabolism and promotes a healthier thyroid function. It isn't fat that makes one fat, it is the excess of carbohydrates, namely sugar. Eating the amount of fat that is healthy to consume, about 20 - 30% of your total caloric intake a day, actually tricks the body into feeling not only more full so you don't crave food so much but also releases the body's idea of "holding onto the fat" for fear of not getting enough. I learned this when being a totally non-fat eater back in my 20's and wondering why I wasn't loosing weight. Now we all know about the Adkins diets and low carb, high protein, but the Adkins diet is extreme and shouldn't be used long term however eating the fat of the coconut has so many nutrients in it that it is the oil/fat of choice to use and one can replace all their fat intake with coconut oil, from eating of the fresh flesh to cooking with the oil. It has been proven that adding 1 ounze of coconut oil to your diet a day can actually help increase your metabolism and burn calories, just add it to your morning smoothy or use it as part of your salad dressing. Coconut oil is mainly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which can increase your energy expenditure over a 24 hour period. The flesh of the coconut is also 61% fiber so being high in dietary fiber is always a plus and there are no calories in the coconut fiber due to being non-digestible fiber. The fat in the coconut slows down the rise in blood sugar so helps reduce hypoglycemic cravings, so, keeping your hunger down is a benefit. It also helps the absorption of other nutrients; vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Because your body is getting the nutrients it needs and the fat intake, your body is staying in balance and feels satisfied. It is also interesting to note that unlike other fats, coconut contains a high amount of lauric acid which is the main fatty acid in mother's milk. Lauric acid, when enzymatically digested form monolaurin and can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi as well as stave off infections like Candida Albicans, a common yeast infection.
Coconut oil is also good for the hair, skin and gums. It hydrates the skin as a topical solution, also from within as you incorporate it into your diet. One can use it as a hot oil mask on your hair and also swish it around in your mouth or rub it on your gums because it protects you from bacteria. People use coconut oil for sunscreen because it naturally blocks out about 20% of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
It is hard to constantly change one's diet based on the latest findings in medicine but even in the 80's the whole non-fat thing threw people. It got people eating chemically treated products or completely manmade products like margarine that have done more harm than good. However if we use common sense, mother nature will never lead us astray and so as our science evolves, we must forgive and move on and return to what we know is safest, trusting in mother nature. Science and the medical profession are constantly soring to new heights but of course there will be downfalls too. Reincorporating the coconut into your diet is one of the healthiest things you can do for your health and I'm not quite finished yet!
Living in Thailand, we are blessed with so many markets selling the fresh young coconuts right on the street so there is no excuse for getting that coconut water back into our diets. Don't reach for the diet coke or sweetened juice when you can have a pure dose of fresh filtered water and nutrients! It is one of the many blessing we have here in our tropical paradise. Using fresh organic virgin coconut oil in your cooking and recipes is also a way to bring the healthiness into your life. I want to quickly mention the coconut milk here, it is made from pouring hot water through a sieve with shaved coconut flesh which extracts the oils and aromatic compounds. One can use it for cooking your curries and soups, and using it for some delicious baked goods. It has a fat content of about 23% and when refrigerated coconut cream will rise to the top. This can be scooped off and used too, for even more rich and creamy recipes. Just remember that although the coconut is good for you, as with most things, moderation is the key! If you find yourself overindulging, you can always learn about the detoxifying uses of charcoal which funnily enough, can come from the husk of the coconuts. Activated carbon is very helpful for removing impurities from the body so this really can be a tree of life for us, the coconut palm! The coconut has no trans-fats, is gluten free so one can also use the flour as a substitute for wheat in baking, it is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and improves the immune system overall. Thank goodness we live in Thailand where we can enjoy this fruit of the Gods!
Drinking the water right out of a fresh coconut is one of the best ways to replace your body with electrolytes. It takes a full 9 months for the coconut to be ready to harvest for the water inside and so it is a natural water filter, making the coconut water totally pure and sterile. It makes for one of the best hydration drinks out there. Lost potassium and sodium through exercise can be replaced and the natural sweetness is preferable to man made sport drinks filled with sugar. An interesting bit of information is that coconut water can be used for a plasma transfusion in an emergency situation due to the purity of it and the fact that it is nearly identical to human blood, all blood types can utilize it.
Coconut oil can help to stabilize blood sugar and is an immune booster, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial remedy. The oil of the coconut is one of the biggest topics of the health industry today with the medical establishment discovering that saturated fats do not cause heart disease or high cholesterol, but actually helps to reduce it. The traditional saturated fats we used to consume before the unsaturated fat market hit us back in the 1920's (like the use of soy, canola, corn, safflower and sunflower oil) actually protected us from a lot of the diseases we are now seeing in the modern world. Saturated fats can help promote healthy bones, provide structural integrity to cells, protect the liver and assist in the body's metabolism of essential fatty acids. There are antimicrobial properties which protect us from harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract. The above mentioned oils, when under high heat, undergo a chemical change known as auto-oxidation in which free radicals are produced. Saturated fats do not oxidize and have cholesterol lowering properties that can protect our organs and arteries. Our own bodies make both saturated fats and cholesterol, these are naturally occurring products of our bodies, as are coconuts from mother nature. Eating as close to the source is always best when trying to decide how to eat. Cholesterol is the bodies repair substance and can help the arteries when weak. When using unsaturated oils only and labeling saturated fats as our demons, we loose out.
Coconut oil helps with weight loss in that it boosts the metabolism and promotes a healthier thyroid function. It isn't fat that makes one fat, it is the excess of carbohydrates, namely sugar. Eating the amount of fat that is healthy to consume, about 20 - 30% of your total caloric intake a day, actually tricks the body into feeling not only more full so you don't crave food so much but also releases the body's idea of "holding onto the fat" for fear of not getting enough. I learned this when being a totally non-fat eater back in my 20's and wondering why I wasn't loosing weight. Now we all know about the Adkins diets and low carb, high protein, but the Adkins diet is extreme and shouldn't be used long term however eating the fat of the coconut has so many nutrients in it that it is the oil/fat of choice to use and one can replace all their fat intake with coconut oil, from eating of the fresh flesh to cooking with the oil. It has been proven that adding 1 ounze of coconut oil to your diet a day can actually help increase your metabolism and burn calories, just add it to your morning smoothy or use it as part of your salad dressing. Coconut oil is mainly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which can increase your energy expenditure over a 24 hour period. The flesh of the coconut is also 61% fiber so being high in dietary fiber is always a plus and there are no calories in the coconut fiber due to being non-digestible fiber. The fat in the coconut slows down the rise in blood sugar so helps reduce hypoglycemic cravings, so, keeping your hunger down is a benefit. It also helps the absorption of other nutrients; vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Because your body is getting the nutrients it needs and the fat intake, your body is staying in balance and feels satisfied. It is also interesting to note that unlike other fats, coconut contains a high amount of lauric acid which is the main fatty acid in mother's milk. Lauric acid, when enzymatically digested form monolaurin and can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi as well as stave off infections like Candida Albicans, a common yeast infection.
Coconut oil is also good for the hair, skin and gums. It hydrates the skin as a topical solution, also from within as you incorporate it into your diet. One can use it as a hot oil mask on your hair and also swish it around in your mouth or rub it on your gums because it protects you from bacteria. People use coconut oil for sunscreen because it naturally blocks out about 20% of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
It is hard to constantly change one's diet based on the latest findings in medicine but even in the 80's the whole non-fat thing threw people. It got people eating chemically treated products or completely manmade products like margarine that have done more harm than good. However if we use common sense, mother nature will never lead us astray and so as our science evolves, we must forgive and move on and return to what we know is safest, trusting in mother nature. Science and the medical profession are constantly soring to new heights but of course there will be downfalls too. Reincorporating the coconut into your diet is one of the healthiest things you can do for your health and I'm not quite finished yet!
Living in Thailand, we are blessed with so many markets selling the fresh young coconuts right on the street so there is no excuse for getting that coconut water back into our diets. Don't reach for the diet coke or sweetened juice when you can have a pure dose of fresh filtered water and nutrients! It is one of the many blessing we have here in our tropical paradise. Using fresh organic virgin coconut oil in your cooking and recipes is also a way to bring the healthiness into your life. I want to quickly mention the coconut milk here, it is made from pouring hot water through a sieve with shaved coconut flesh which extracts the oils and aromatic compounds. One can use it for cooking your curries and soups, and using it for some delicious baked goods. It has a fat content of about 23% and when refrigerated coconut cream will rise to the top. This can be scooped off and used too, for even more rich and creamy recipes. Just remember that although the coconut is good for you, as with most things, moderation is the key! If you find yourself overindulging, you can always learn about the detoxifying uses of charcoal which funnily enough, can come from the husk of the coconuts. Activated carbon is very helpful for removing impurities from the body so this really can be a tree of life for us, the coconut palm! The coconut has no trans-fats, is gluten free so one can also use the flour as a substitute for wheat in baking, it is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and improves the immune system overall. Thank goodness we live in Thailand where we can enjoy this fruit of the Gods!
