After reading this article, I immediately want to put a coconut product in the kitchen cabinet.
1. Nutritious
Unlike most other fruits, which contain a lot of carbs, coconut provides mainly fat. But its easily absorbed fat MCT (Medium chain triglycerides) can help you lose excess fat. Coconut also contains protein, several important minerals and small amounts of B vitamins.
Minerals in coconut are involved in many functions in your body such as manganese – essential for bone health and carbohydrate, protein and cholesterol metabolism; copper and iron – help form red blood cells; Selenium – an important antioxidant that helps protect cells, according to HL .
2. Beneficial for heart health
Eating coconut can improve cholesterol levels and help reduce belly fat. This is especially beneficial because excess belly fat and high cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. HL reported that a study shows that people who regularly eat coconut have a lower rate of heart disease than those who follow a Western diet.
Other research found that the waist size of obese people decreased by an average of 1 inch (about 3 cm) after consuming 1 ounce (30 ml) of virgin coconut oil daily for 4 weeks.
3. Promotes blood sugar control
Coconut is low in carbs but high in fiber and fat, so it can help stabilize your blood sugar.
Diabetic mice fed protein made from coconut meat had much better blood sugar, insulin levels and other markers of glucose metabolism than mice that did not eat coconut protein. Beta cells in their pancreas also make more insulin. High fiber content slows digestion and improves insulin resistance, contributing to blood sugar regulation, according to HL.
4. Contains powerful antioxidants
Coconut meat contains phenolic antioxidant compounds including gallic acid, caffeic acid, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, which help protect cells from damage, reducing your risk of disease. .
5. Easy to eat, easy to use
Coconut is very versatile in the kitchen. It is used as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, vegetarian or regular. It’s even a great choice for those following low-carb, paleo, gluten-free or grain-free diets. Regardless of whether eaten raw, dried, or powdered, coconut meat is delicious and easily combined with many different dishes.
However, because coconut is rich in fat, it is also high in calories. Depending on each person’s needs and calorie intake, they can promote weight gain if you do not adjust the dosage appropriately. Note, some people are allergic to coconut, although this is very rare, according to HL.