Coconut Benefits
Coconuts are considered as one of the healthiest fruits in the world, and for good reason.
They are contain lots of healthy fats, antioxidants, and important micronutrients that help protect organs in the body.
Coconut is used in several food products, including coconut oil, flour, milk and water.
The fruit is packed with nutrients, including medium-chain triglycerides that have several health benefits, it’s a quick energy source for the body and helps fight infections and chronic diseases.
Coconut Products
Lots of products are made from coconut, serving different cooking and body care purposes. Here’s a breakdown of what forms of the fruit you’ll find at your local store:
Coconut Meat
The inner white lining of the outer husk is the meat. It’s firm, can be scraped from the inside, eaten raw, or used to make other coconut products, like oil, milk, and flour. Dried coconut meat is often used as a snack or added to baked goods, yoghurt and more.
Coconut Oil
Made by pressing dried or fresh coconut meat, coconut oil is made up of fats in the fruit that become liquid when temperatures hit about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Coconut oil for skin, hair, and cooking is very popular because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk, also called coconut cream, is the liquid found inside mature coconut meat. It contains natural fatty acids and can be used in smoothies, baked goods, and sauces for a creamy texture. It can be found boxed and in cans at most grocery stores but can also be made at home. To make coconut milk, chop and blend the meat until it creates a thick liquid and then strain it.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is not actually “flour” but made from ground and dried coconut meat to create a flour-like texture for baking. It doesn’t contain grains, and it’s a favourite among gluten-free and Paleo dieters. Coconut flour has become widely available in grocery stores and can be used to make pancakes, muffins, cookies, and other goods that require a floury substance.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside a young, green coconut. It contains vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. It is consumed for electrolyte replacement and detoxification.
Coconut Butter
Coconut butter is not your typical butter; it is made from fruit meat and ground to create a butter-like consistency. It can be used as a topping to baked goods or in recipes to provide a creamy texture
e used as a topping to baked goods or in recipes to provide a creamy texture.
Coconut Sugar
Although not from the coconut fruit, coconut sugar is made from the palm tree’s flower bud stem sap. The sap is boiled and dehydrated, leaving behind brown-coloured sweet granules that can be used in baking and cooking.
Coconut Aminos
Aminos contain only two ingredients: coconut tree sap and sea salt. Coconut sap is “tapped” from coconut blossoms, the flowering portion of the tree present before coconuts grow. It then goes through a fermentation process and is blended with sun-dried, mineral-rich sea salt to create coconut aminos.
Nutrition Facts
Coconuts are rich in nutrients, namely healthy medium-chain fatty acids. The three fats most abundantly found in them include caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid.
Unlike long-chain fatty acids in plant-based oils, medium-chain fats are easier to digest, provide immediate energy, and aren’t readily stored as fat.
One piece of raw coconut meat (about 45 grams) contains approximately:
Calories: 159
Total Carbohydrates: 6.8 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 2.8 g
Total Fat: 15.1 g
Saturated Fat: 13.4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Protein: 1.5 g
Sodium: 9 mg (0.4% DV*)
Manganese: 0.7 mg (30% DV)
Copper: 0.2 mg (22% DV)
