Coconut (Cocos Nucifera): Benefits, Side Effects and Facts

Coconut (Cocos Nucifera): Benefits, Side Effects and Facts

A coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera. Coconuts are believed to be native to Southeast Asia, where they have been cultivated and used in food for centuries. Early Spanish explorers called it coco, which means "monkey face" because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resembles the head and face of a monkey. Nucifera means "nut-bearing." Various coconut products can be found in the cuisine of many Asian nations, and they appear in other tropical diets as well, especially in the Caribbean. The distinctive flavor of coconut makes it a very popular food, and a wide range of things are made with coconuts, from palm wine to coconut cream pie.

Technically, a coconut is a drupe, which means that it has a hard shell encased in a fibrous outer layer. When the coconut shell is cracked open, it reveals a fleshy white meat and a liquid which is known as coconut water. Cracking open coconuts is no mean feat; a number of techniques are used, ranging from baking coconuts to make them brittle to dropping them onto sharp rocks in an attempt to wedge open a crack in the shell.

The water inside a coconut is not the same thing as coconut milk, a popular creamy product which is actually made with the flesh of the coconut. Coconut water is crisp, cool, and refreshing, and it is often used in drinks in tropical regions. It is also high in vitamins and minerals, making it popular with the health food community. Coconut milk is made by grating the flesh, soaking it in hot water, and squeezing it, extracting a very rich, dense white liquid which is very high in protein and fat.

Coconut milk is often used in curries and soups in tropical nations. It is also used to flavor drinks and desserts. The flesh of coconuts can be grated and toasted as a garnish, added whole to desserts, chunked in soups and stews, and it may be fresh, dry, or roasted, depending on the dish and regional preferences. Like coconut milk, the flesh of coconuts has a high protein and fat content, and it has a very rich flavor.

Sap from coconuts is fermented to produce palm wine, while the leaves are used for thatching and the bark is sometimes utilized as a source of fiber. The fibrous outer shell is sometimes used as a fiber as well; this fiber is known as coir. Coconut trees can also provide timber for construction projects and a source of fuel. There are numerous other uses for coconuts and the trees they grow on, explaining why the trees have become so popular in the tropical regions where they grow.

Coconut Benefits

With all the health, nutritional, and body care benefits that you get from coconut oil, there is no doubt why this has been hailed as the "miracle oil". While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it's the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine. It is said to prevent and cure many sicknesses that are almost impossible to heal. Being a healthy oil, it could help decrease viral load of HIV patients, could improve insulin production and thyroid function, it could reduce the risk of diabetes complications, and could even fight heart disease which is the leading cause of death. Coconut oil improves the performance of the digestive system that can make a person lose weight.




Benefits of Coconut Oil For External Health

1. Coconut Oil and Acne or Pimples




2. For Dry Scalp

Healthy scalp would mean healthy hair. Lauric acid converted into monolaurin is one of the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil. This acid is also found as ingredient in soaps and shampoo. By applying coconut oil, your scalp is kept moisturized and protected from fungi that cause dandruff.

3. Coconut Oil For Hair

Healthier and shinier hair is also one of the coconut oil benefits. To keep your hair from being dry and unmanageable, spread an ample amount of coconut oil from the roots to the tip of damp hair. Do not put too much or your hair might get greasy.

4. For Skin



To add to that, coconut oil also strengthens by holding your skin tissues together and protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The antiseptic composition of coconut oil kills fungi and yeast that cause athlete's foot, diaper rash, and candidiasis

5. Eczema


Benefits of Coconut Oil For Internal/Systemic Health



In effect are the following coconut oil health benefits:

1. Coconut Oil and Thyroid


2. Coconut Oil and Diabetes


3. For Heart Disease



4. Weight Loss



5. Coconut Oil and Candida




6. For Bones and Teeth (and Osteoporosis)

Since MCFAs present in coconut oil facilitate better absorption of nutrients from the food to the body, thus, there is also faster absorption of calcium for the teeth and bones. Because of calcium absorption, coconut oil helps prevent osteoporosis – a disease of bone that can cause fractures.

7. For Cancer


8. HIV, AIDS, and the Immune System


The first clinical study about coconut oil being effective treatment for HIV was reported by a Filipino pharmacology professor, Dr. Conrado Dayrit. This study has confirmed that coconut oil can reduce the viral load of an HIV patient.



9. For Stress


The good fatty acids are key components that make coco oil beneficial to your body health and nutrition. Now that you know these facts, buy coconut oil and use it to gain all the coconut oil benefits.

Coconut Side Effects

Coconut is a nutritious source of fiber and essential vitamins. The fruit provides coconut milk, oil, juice, water and flesh, which can be eaten fresh or dried. Although it provides a number of health benefits, coconut oil has high amount of saturated fat, which can lead to high cholesterol or weight gain. In rare instances, consuming coconut may cause an allergic reaction.

High Cholesterol

The American Heart Association recommends monitoring your intake of coconut, which contains high amounts of saturated fat. This type of fat elevates your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels, which increases your risk of heart disease. Coconut oil contains 11 g of saturated fat per tablespoon, while shredded coconut has 16 g of saturated fat per ounce. Limiting your daily intake of saturated fat to less than 7 percent of your total calories can help keep your LDL cholesterol at a healthy level.

A 2006 study in the "Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine Journal" argues that coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid that helps control weight gain by stimulating your metabolism. If you use large amounts of coconut oil, have your physician check your cholesterol levels on a regular basis.

Allergic Reaction

People who suffer from food allergies, especially tree nut allergies, should consume coconut with caution. Coconut is considered a tree nut by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufactured foods that contain coconut generally carry a warning that the product contains tree nuts. Most people who are allergic to coconut react to the proteins in the fruit, not the oil. Coconut oil allergies are rare, but may be life-threatening.

Cardiovascular Disease

High cholesterol levels can cause blockage in your arteries, which leads to cardiovascular issues. Coronary artery disease is caused by a blockage or narrowing of coronary arteries that pump blood to your heart. Limit your intake of foods that contain coconut oil if you suffer from high cholesterol or are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Avoid processed or fried foods that contain high amounts of coconut oil or excessive consumption of coconut meat or milk.

Weight Gain

Consuming excessive amounts of coconut meat, oil or milk may lead to weight gain. Coconut flesh has 187 calories per ounce, while coconut milk has 445 calories per cup. High amounts of saturated fat in coconut may also contribute to weight gain. To avoid eating too much fat, limit your daily intake to 25 to 35 percent of your caloric intake.

Learn More About Coconut Benefits

Learn More About Coconut Oil
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