Ten Fascinating Health Benefits of Coconuts

December 30, 2012

by Cathe Friedrich

The coconut is a versatile, tropical fruit that is used in a diverse array of recipes. It can sweeten cookies and muffins or create a deliciously creamy sauce for a curry. However, coconuts are also extremely good for your health in some ways that are significantly under-publicized. Read on to learn about the ten most interesting and surprising ways in which adding more coconut to your diet could help to boost your health and improve your quality of life.

1) Coconuts can improve your resistance to disease:

Coconuts contain lauric acid, which is an antiviral compound that your body is capable of converting into something called monolaurin. Monolaurin disintegrates the fatty outsides of viruses, eradicates the parts that allow them to invade your cells, and prevents them from replicating. This means that having plenty of monolaurin in your system makes you much less likely to become ill when you encounter a virus.

2) Coconuts can help to treat digestive disorders:

People suffering from a bowel condition or gastric flu often find that adding more coconut oil to their diet helps to calm their symptoms (such as cramps and irregular bowel movements). Scientists believe that this may be because the fats in coconut oil can help to eradicate some of the bacteria that are associated with digestive discomfort.

3) Coconuts can help to keep you slim:

Firstly, studies show that when you eat coconut, you temporarily raise your body’s metabolic rate. This makes your body burn more calories at a faster rate. Secondly, coconuts contain fats called MCTS, which discourage your body from storing fats and promote burning these fats for energy instead. Further, when you consume foods that contain coconut milk you will tend to feel fuller for longer. All of these benefits combine to make coconut helpful in your attempts to lose weight (or in your efforts to maintain a healthy body shape).

4) Coconuts can help to treat yeast infections:

Coconuts are a source of caprylic acid, and this powerful acid can get rid of the yeast infections caused by Candida. This is especially true of yeast infections in the digestive tract because this is where caprylic acid will have a chance to encounter the yeast infection directly.

5) Coconut helps to keep blood sugar levels under control:

Several research projects on diabetes and pre-diabetes have produced evidence that coconut oil can help to keep blood sugar within healthy limits. It also appears to improve insulin secretion. Both of these properties make coconut oil an ideal addition to your diet if you are diabetic, or if you are concerned about developing diabetes (due to suffering from a condition like polycystic ovary syndrome).

6) Coconuts promote healthy bones:

Coconut oil promotes the absorption of vitamins and minerals from your diet, and this means that you will absorb more calcium and magnesium. These minerals are essential for bone strength, and they help to lower your risk of suffering from osteoporosis (i.e. brittle bones). If you already have osteoporosis, calcium and magnesium also help to slow the progression of the condition.

7) Coconuts promote prostate health:

Coconuts are an excellent addition to a man’s diet, as are drinks that contain coconut milk. This is because coconut is a source of zinc, and research on prostate health has revealed that zinc reduces your risk of developing prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate.

8) Coconuts can boost cardiovascular health:

The lauric acid in coconuts has been proven to reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and keep your blood vessels in good condition. All of these health benefits lower your risk of suffering from heart disease or a stroke.

9) Coconuts can help to make your skin look better:

Coconut oil is an excellent treatment for dry skin, moisturizing your face without causing any allergic reactions. This means that it can help to discourage the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Some dermatologists also recommend that coconut oil be used as a treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.

10) Coconut water helps to keep you hydrated:

Coconut water is an isotonic drink, which means that it provides you with all of the electrolytes that you need to stay hydrated (i.e. sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium). This makes it an ideal drink after a workout at the gym, or if you are suffering from an illness that has caused sickness or diarrhea. Studies show that drinking coconut water can rehydrate your body in an impressive five minutes.

As is obvious from the above health benefits, coconuts are a great addition to your diet if you want to improve your quality of life. In addition to tasting wonderful in baked goods and curries, coconut milk is a perfect addition to homemade smoothies