Coconut (Cocos nucifera) – Everything about coconut is good. Coconut fruit, the flesh, water, milk and coconut oil, can all be consumed: as food, medicine fuel, fibre and shelter.
In Jamaica, coconut oil is used as a heart tonic. In India, coconut oil is an essential ingredient in Ayurveda remedies. And as far as Captain Cook was concerned, as he was aware of its exceptional health secrets, he used coconut oil daily.
While some people are conditioned to avoid coconut, others, such as health-conscious people in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and Central America, have been using coconut oil for thousands of years as an essential dietary component, to support the immune system, and to ward off disease and infections.
The big fat truth about coconut oil
To understand how fat can be good for the body, it is simple. Good fat is raw and unheated fat. Also, plant fat such as coconut contains no cholesterol. Therefore it is good for the body. As long as the coconut fat is consumed in its natural, raw form, it will provide all valuable nutrients. It will not leave any waste deposits, and it will be easier on digestion (ideal for people who have trouble digesting fats).
Coconut oil is saturated fat, so it is not easily oxidized and does not create free radicals, unlike other polyunsaturated vegetable oils. It also contains lipase enzymes. The lipase enzymes allow body fat to be burned. So, when eating coconut, it can help you lose weight because of these enzymes. These lipase enzymes from raw plant fats are also essential for people with cardiovascular disease, skin problems, cancer, and nervous system diseases.
Highly nutritious and high in fibers, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, coconut is also rich in fatty acids such as lauric, caprylic and capric acid. Of the fatty acids, lauric acid makes up almost 50% of the fat of the coconut. Lauric acid is known to have antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and antiprotozoal activities (found in mother’s milk). Caprylic acid has anti-fungal properties, found to be excellent in fighting Candida. With its antioxidant properties, coconut protects your skin from sun damage.
Raw plant fats (in reasonable quantities) are an excellent remedy for good looking skin and a balanced, healthy life. So if coconut caught your attention and you are ready to replace unhealthy fats such as margarine and conventional vegetable oils with coconut oil, you will not only store less body fat but also increase your metabolism and improve your health.
Who else would like to have saturated fats: Your Kidneys! Kidneys need saturated fats primarily myristic acid for protective cushioning and as a quick energy source.
Who else needs chlorine found in coconut: your hair and teeth! The deficiency of this mineral (chlorine) can cause loss of hair and teeth.
Prolonged youth perhaps: with regular use of unrefined coconut oil, you can slow down the aging process of your skin and bring back a youthful appearance. While the majority of commercial products contain refined vegetable oils which can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and permanent damage to your skin (due to free radicals) raw coconut, being unrefined, will repair and heal your skin making it look and feel smoother and healthier, all this without clogging your pores.
However, a secret to getting the maximum benefit is raw, organic, all-natural and cold-processed coconut oil. Towards your physical health with all-natural coconut oil, water, and milk.
- Coconut oil is used for eczema. It helps the skin to stay soft.
- Coconut fat normalizes body lipids.
- It prevents loss of hair, and it lengthens your hair.
- Coconut oil may assist you to avoid to develop liver spots caused by ageing or excess exposure to the sun.
- Raw coconut plant fat protects you from pollution.
- A light massage with coconut oil at room temperature will nourish the skin.
- It helps prevent fungal and bacterial infections of the skin.
- Excellent for you face especially if dry and it does not clog pores.
Did you know: Coconut is used in protection rituals? A coconut can be halved, drained of its juice, filled with herbs, sealed shut, and then buried to protect your property.
Be moderate to taste the joys of life in abundance
Be responsible for your health and purchase. Buy natural remedies from certified sellers and producers. Buy only those products where sufficient amount of data/warnings/instructions and reliable information is available.
Nice to know: if you must fry something, use only saturated fats such as coconut. Heated non-saturated vegetable oil is toxic to your body.
READ NEXT: Coconut water benefits
