Coconuts

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:46:38 +0100

Coconuts have long been a tropical fruit of vacation, something most people think of when it comes to the beach. The truth is, the flesh and water of the coconut are both full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. The use of coconuts and their flour in island communities as antivirals, antifungals, and even antibacterials is well-documented. Whether it is as a topical solution or as an ingested fruit, holistic doctors have long understood all this tropical fruit has to offer.

How to Consume Coconut

While you can include coconut in your recipes, cooking it does eliminate some of the very best benefits. Now you can often find the electrolyte rich coconut water for sale in the stores. This often is the easiest way to consume it and it serves as a natural sports drink without all the refined sugar used to sweeten the energy drinks you would buy in the store. Many believe the hydration factor is how the coconut helps with urinary tract infections and helps get your digestive system back on track. You can also consume the sugar of the coconut.

Benefits of Coconuts

Helps build your immunity making you resilient to common conditions like flu and throat infections.
Full of fiber, which aids digestion.
Vitamins, minerals and amino acids are absorbed naturally rather than through taking supplements.
High in calcium for bone and teeth strength.
Potassium-rich, encouraging your system in the right direction for what your cells need for your sodium potassium pump.
Oil from the flesh can be used in skin creams.
Oil can also be used on hair to keep it shiny and healthy.
Electrolyte rich, making it the only all natural sports drink.

Purchasing Coconut Products

You can find all sorts of coconut products in the store. Beware of the 'coconut milk' often sold in the 'ethnic' section in the grocery store. This is usually a highly sweetened version of the coconut and does not provide you the health benefits of drinking coconut water. Coconut water can be purchased from a variety of outlets, but you should take the time to ensure it is being made from a natural state without added sugars. You can also buy coconut flesh canned. The canning process may add a little bit of sodium but it is a great way to get coconut all year round.

No matter how you choose to consume coconut you are sure to see the benefits if you use it regularly. Many people like to throw the water or a bit of the flesh into smoothies. This gives you a nice 'raw' version of the coconut so your body can process it properly. Coconut may seem like something you can’t find everywhere, but with the expansion of interest in 'superfoods', the availability of coconut has increased significantly. This means no matter where you live you can find coconut for your diet. The use of this to stave off bacterial infections and even promote immunity against the flu is reason enough to make sure you put some coconut in your diet.

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