Goodness of Coconut

Coconut is from the famous Coconut palm tree grown normally in the sandy coastal areas of India. Coconut grooves are a very common sight in various parts of India. Coconut Palm Tree considered in Sanskrit as “Kalpavriksh”. Meaning it is the most important and useful tree amongst all the trees grown in India. We use all the parts of this tree. The tree bears the scientific name “Cocos Nucifera”. The name ”Cocos” originated from a Portuguese word meaning “monkey” and “Nucifera” means “bearing nuts”.

Coconut Palm Tree and its uses

Most nutritionist considers tender coconut water, which is the clear water inside the coconut as the world’s safest soft drink ever produced. People can obtain commercial copra. This is the white flesh derived after opening the nut form a part in confectionery, in making soaps, margarine, etc. Dried Copra used for extracting the coconut oil. The dried residual of copra used for preparing poultry and cattle food. Coir is the solid, hairy skin of the nut used for manufacturing ropes, coir mattresses, coir brushes and carpets. Grated coconut, which is the white flesh in side the coconut used for preparing coconut milk. It is a thickening agent for all the Indian recipes. Villagers use the coconut shell as firewood.

People employ the web-like substance that grows where the flower branches expand in the making of bags and coverings, also for the straining of toddy (fermented coconut water). The toddy also contains Vitamin B. The leaves of the coconut palm tree used for roofing and the trunk used for roof beam, bridges and canoes. In this way, none of the parts of the tree is wasted.

Coconut’s health affects  

Many are under the impression that food cooked in coconut oil has side affects of raising the cholesterol levels in the human body. They are worried coconut oil is a saturated fat, which is harmful for health. Although, the food cooked in coconut oil stays longer and promotes nutritional absorption. This misconception needs correction in the minds of the people. Doctors have removed this misconception through various studies.   

Doctors say that fats classified in to three categories like those that are short, medium or long chain based on the number of carbon molecules present. Studies say that coconut oil contains around two thirds of medium chain fatty acids. Normally when long chain fatty acids consumed, bile secreted in the liver emulsifies them in the small intestine before it is absorbed into our body. Whereas, the short and medium Coconut, chain fatty acids present in the coconut oil or coconut milk, passes directly through the vein to the liver and instantaneously absorbed by the body.   

On the contrary, coconut oil is a nature’s gift. It helps lower the cholesterol by burning the fat and a good energizer. Coconut is very rich in fiber, natural vitamins, minerals that help the human body to get its daily requirement. Coconut helps in strengthening our body immune system, digestion and a best source for anti-aging properties. In fact, coconut oil applied on our face, hands and legs act as a natural moisturizer. Thus, you can see a natural glow in our skin when used regularly. Recipes cooked in coconut oil emanates rich aroma that can activate ones appetite instantaneously.  

Therefore, coconut oil is safer to use since there is no conversion in our body to fats. There are no harmful affects of consuming this oil in any form either directly in to our foods or applying on our skin. Coconut helps in strengthening our body immune system, digestion and a best source for anti-aging properties.