The Incredible Coconut

July 21, 2017
Lyndall McAlpine

Yes, I’m back in beautiful Bali (Lucky lucky me!!!)

One of the things I look forward to here is the fresh coconut water, straight out of the coconut! It is so refreshing and if it is really fresh, the coconut meal scooped out after drinking is such a tasty treat!

Coconuts are an amazing fruit!

Did you know that coconut water is identical to human blood plasma? It contains the same salt concentration as cells and blood. In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water (“coconut IV” siphoned directly from the nut) to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers. Coconut water is naturally sterile as the water permeates through the filtering husk.

Coconut water is alkalising to the body and contains trace elements such as iron, zinc, calcium, potassium (as much as a banana). However once it is exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its sensory properties and nutritional characteristics.

Coconut water is such a great alternative to sugary sports and energy drinks as it contains more than 10 times the amount of potassium of most sports drinks without the added sugar and nasties!!  Potassium helps keep fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, especially during exercise. It does not contain as much sodium but adding a pinch of sea salt does the trick after workouts.

Coconut water  contains lauric acid, which is present in human breast milk and in some countries have be used as baby formula

In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is  known as kalpa vriksha, meaning “tree which gives all that is necessary for living,” since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some manner or another.

  • The husk is used to make brushes, mats, fish nets, and rope.

The coconut flesh itself has many food uses, including:

  • Coconut milk is made by blending the water and the coconut meat together
  • Coconut yogurt can also be made by using yogurt starter cultures.
  • Coconut sugar, although it has the same calories as cane sugar, it contains many vitamins and minerals, some short-chain fatty acids, polyphenols and antioxidants, and a fibre known as inulin which may reduce blood sugar spikes compared to regular table sugar
  • The Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA) in Coconut oil are a good source of brain-boosting ketones, have heart-healthy, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They have been found to boost cognitive performance in older adults suffering from memory disorders as serious as Alzheimer’s; be effective in killing lipid-coated viruses, such as Hepatitis C, HIV, Herpes, Stomatitis and cytomegalovirus. In addition to killing lipid-coated viruses, MCFA can destroy some fungi and parasites including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Candida albicans, and giardia.

Here is such a funny skit from J Sears about the confusion and different beliefs/claims about coconut oil

Chia Pudding

For a yummy, healthy dessert or breakfast try Chia Pudding, made from coconut milk and chia seeds. See my recipe >here<

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References