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Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Coconut is a fruit that grows on a palm (Cocos nucifera). What is impressive about coconut is its benefits. It is used to produce milk, oil, coconut meat, various foods, desserts, and more. You can consume coconut fresh or dried and stored for long. It has all the properties of a perfect food product especially considering that it may be used in culinary practices in so many ways. Moreover, it is not just a food product but also an industrial good as coconut coir is used to produce ropes, mats, and much more.
Humans have consumed it for several millennia when it comes to its use as a food product. It is one of the oldest fruits consumed by humans. It appears that there are two distinct varieties of coconut that evolved separately; one is pacific, and another that grows in South-East Asia, Polynesia, and south India. However, despite being genetically distinct, they have similar kinds of nutrition profiles.
In recent years, people have increasingly realized the health benefits of coconut. Not only that, but its use is also rising in the west. Fresh coconut can be consumed uncooked or added to various cooked foods. It can even be used to produce different desserts, sauces, chutneys, and much more.
Packed with unique nutrients
One of the ways of staying healthy and preventing metabolic disorders is by consuming various foods. It seems that adding coconut to a regular diet may have many benefits. It is rich in nutrients and high in calories.
Coconut is especially appreciated due to its high content of fats. In addition, its oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs). Medium-chain fatty acids are relatively easy to digest, boost metabolism, and have numerous beneficial health effects.
Many researchers now think that the increased prevalence of central obesity and metabolic disorders in countries like India could be due to the higher consumption of certain vegetable oils like soy or sunflower oil, as Indians have traditionally not consumed these oils in abundance.
There are many other good things about coconut. It is low in carbs, and therefore, it is suitable for consumption by those living with diabetes. It is also moderately rich in proteins.
Additionally, it is an excellent source of dietary fibre. Coconut is also rich in micronutrients like manganese, selenium, and copper. These minerals have many beneficial effects on health.
Good for heart health
Coconut is high in fats (35% of fresh coconut is fats), thus researchers have struggled to understand how it helps in heart health. However, heart disease is not caused by high-fat consumption but by low-quality fats.
Fats in coconuts contribute considerably to its benefits for heart health. MCTs help lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol levels, and thus prevent atherosclerosis.
Not only that, but coconut may also help due to its high content of dietary fiber, antioxidants, ability to lower inflammation, provide micronutrients, normalize gut health, have a positive effect on gut microbiota.
Suitable for those living with diabetes
In India, diabetes has emerged as a significant health concern. In urban regions, more than 10% of adults in India are living with diabetes. They have issues controlling diabetes, as although Indians are predominantly vegetarian, but their diet is rich in carbs like potatoes, grains, wheat, rice, and so on.
Coconut has a low glycemic index; thus, it may be used to substitute some high-carb vegetables and even grains in a regular diet.
Additionally, studies show that coconut may also exert blood-glucose-lowering action. There appear to be many underlying mechanisms like coconut is rich in arginine, which may modulate diabetes.
Another way in which coconut may help is due to its positive impact on body compositions and improved gut health. It may alter gut microbiota. As a result, coconut also helps in preventing mass gain, insulin resistance, and much more.
Good source of natural antioxidants
As people live longer, there is a need to prevent age-related decline in health. It appears that high consumption of antioxidants may slow down aging and also help prevent chronic ailments.
One of the ways to get more natural antioxidants is by using health supplements and multi-vitamins. However, it is always good to get antioxidants from foods. Studies show that coconut is abundant in many phenolic acids and has a potent antioxidant effect.
Suitable for refractory childhood epilepsy management
Estimates show that there are about 12 million cases of epilepsy in India. Many of these people were first diagnosed with the condition during their childhood.
Childhood epilepsy is quite challenging to treat. Most drugs used to treat epilepsy are pretty toxic, cause sedation, and have many other side effects. Another issue with antiepileptic drugs is that they interfere with the school performance of young children. Even worse, epilepsy is refractory in many children and thus difficult to control.
However, studies from the early 20th century show that one of the effective ways of controlling childhood epilepsy is by switching to low carb and high-fat diet. It means consuming foods rich in high-quality fat may prevent epileptic seizures.
Thus, MCTs-rich coconut may be quite good for those living with epilepsy. However, it will only help when consumed substantially and regularly. Studies show that a diet low in carbs and high in MCTs may help in about 60% of cases by reducing episodes of epileptic seizures.
Final thoughts
Fresh coconut is readily available in India, and it is also frequently consumed as a part of the diet in parts of South India. What is good about coconut is that it has an excellent shelf life and grows in abundance in parts of the nation.
However, fresh coconut consumption is uncommon in other parts of India, like North India. Therefore, there is a need to realize its health benefits and include it in a regular diet in abundance. It is vital to recognize that it is not just delicious food but also has a unique nutrition profile. It is among the most abundant sources of MCTs.
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