Healthcare provisions of Coconut

HEALTHCARE PROVISIONS OF COCONUT

By NETHRA VIJAYAKUMAR

Coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm. It is used for its water, milk, oil and tasty meat.

Thankfully, the misguided coconut era has come to an end. Coconuts have been grown in tropical regions for more than 4,500 years but recently increased in popularity for their flavor, culinary uses, and potential health benefits.

Unlike many other fruits, that are high in carbs, coconut provides mostly fat.

Coconut oil:

 Nearly 90 percent of fat in coconut oil are saturated and they are healthy. Fifty-five to sixty-five percent of the saturated fat in coconut oil are medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which have been used as dietary supplements to improve nutrient absorption and sports performance. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which has been shown to help the body fight viruses.

Coconut meat:

Coconut meat is rich in phytosterols, cholesterol like compound found primarily in nuts and legumes, phytosterols have been shown to naturally reduce cholesterol level in the blood. It is also an excellent source of fiber and has low carbs, by which it helps to stabilize your blood sugar. They are also rich in copper and iron, which helps to form red blood cells, as well as selenium, an important antioxidant that protects your cells from oxidative damage.

The polyphenols found in it can prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, making it less likely to form plaques in arteries that can increase the risk of heart disease.

It has been proved that when rats with diabetes were fed protein made from coconut meat, their blood sugar, insulin levels, and other glucose metabolism markers were much better than those that didn’t eat coconut protein. In addition, beta cells in their pancreas started making more insulin — a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. 

Researchers suspected the improved beta-cell function was also due to t in he high amounts of arginine found in coconut.

The high fiber content of coconut meat can also help slow digestion and improve insulin resistance, which can help regulate blood sugar levels as well.

Coconut water and Coconut milk:

Both fresh coconut water and freshly squeezed coconut milk are rich in minerals, including potassium, manganese and magnesium. Manganese is essential for bone health and for the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and cholesterol.

Summary:

Coconut is a high-fat fruit that has a wide range of health benefits when consumed raw.

These include providing you with disease-fighting antioxidants, promoting blood sugar regulation, and reducing certain risk factors for heart disease.