Health & Beauty. delivery number 19: The coconut.

Every day I will publish a fruit, vegetable or vegetable, highlighting its properties and benefits for health and beauty. In this way we will know more about the natural benefits that we can count on daily if we know more about the fruits, vegetables that we consume or that we see in the market and that we have not yet tested. In today's delivery I will talk about ...

The coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm, scientific name Cocos nucifera. The plant belongs to the family Arecaceae and is native to Indonesia. It is a plant that can live several years, even more than 100, and that can exceed 35 meters in height. Its leaves are very long, usually measuring 4 to 6 meters.

Coconut is grown in almost all tropical countries, especially in Thailand, India and Indonesia. All its parts can be exploited: besides the pulp, water, milk, oil, nuts and leaves are used for handicrafts.

Coconut is a source of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron. The vitamins are folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B3. And it has many beneficial properties for health, let's see some ...

The benefits of coconut water are known. It is a fresh liquid that can become a delicious alternative to the usual drinks. Ideal for athletes, the coconut has energizing and invigorating properties and provides minerals that are lost through sweating. It also helps to improve cholesterol levels and facilitate weight loss. It also has magnesium and carbohydrates, and is rich in antioxidants. Reduces blood pressure due to its potassium content; relieves gastric acidity; It improves digestion and is a great natural energy drink. Coconut water is a drink with a high moisturizing power, thanks to its constant amount of vitamins and minerals. Its intake generates benefits for the immune system by strengthening it. It has positive effects on the nervous system, and has regenerative properties at the cellular level.

Coconut helps maintain gastrointestinal balance. The fibers it contains reduce the risk of hemorrhoids, lower blood pressure and strengthen the immune system.

The coconut, for its anti-inflammatory capacity, is used to treat different types of problems, such as abscesses, bruises, burns and wounds.

Coconut is rich in potassium and is an excellent restorative food to replenish mineral salts if necessary. The good presence of vitamin B and C makes it useful in the treatment of some disorders, such as general weakness and nervousness problems. It reduces the symptoms of fatigue and provides energy, giving correct energy to the body, and also improves sports performance. It has relaxing properties, delicate massages at the temples made with coconut oil can relax and eliminate mental fatigue and stress.

A study conducted evaluated the beneficial effects of the antioxidant compounds present in coconut, in particular in its oil. The results confirmed that this food has useful properties to reduce inflammation and arthritis. In some cases, its effects are even better than traditional medicines.

The coconut helps eliminate air and excess gas in the stomach and intestines. It also has useful properties in the elimination of toxins present in the digestive tract.

An interesting property of the coconut is that this tropical fruit can be used to reduce appetite. These beneficial effects are related to the way in which fat is metabolized.

Coconut milk does not contain lactose, but does contain lauric acid, which is also present in human milk, and has been shown to have useful properties for bone health. It can be found in the market, often in cans, in hypermarket counters.

Coconut oil also has beneficial effects on bones, in fact, its consumption increases the absorption of calcium in the intestine. Studies found that coconut is useful for increasing volume and bone density but not all. In fact it reduces the loss of bone mass in patients suffering from osteoporosis.

The presence of saturated fats in this fruit increases the levels of good HDL cholesterol in the body. The increase of this type of cholesterol is beneficial for the health of the heart. Coconut oil reduces bad cholesterol and increases good to a greater extent than soybean oil.

The coconut has a good content of fatty acids that is essential for the health of the heart. Fatty acids help reduce bad cholesterol levels LDL offers protection against heart disease and arteriosclerosis. Some studies have shown that people where coconut is a staple food for their diet, are not affected by cholesterol problems or heart disease.

The oil, according to scientific studies, offers benefits to the inflammation caused by the fungus Candida albicans, both internally and externally. The oil contains lauric acid that, once digested, forms a chemical compound called monolaurin. Studies suggest that both lauric acid, which monolaurin can kill pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Research has also shown that these compounds can help eliminate bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, a dangerous bacteria.

Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia worldwide and predominantly affects the elderly. The research states that people affected by this condition have a reduced ability to use glucose to produce energy in parts of the brain. According to the researchers, coconut ketones can provide an alternative source of energy for malfunctioning cells. In patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, the consumption of medium chain triglycerides has led to an improvement in brain function.

This vegetable food can be used to balance hormones naturally. This property is due to the good presence of saturated fats, among which lauric acid is also found. According to scientific research, this product can be an excellent fat to consume during menopause. Its consumption can also positively affect estrogen levels.

Coconut water, due to its characteristics, is considered an excellent substitute for blood plasma. In fact, it is a sterile substance that does not destroy red blood cells and is easily tolerated by the human body.

Coconut oil has an extraordinary moisturizing effect, invigorates and makes your hair shine. It can be used as a makeup remover because it carefully and gently removes the remains of makeup, as a cleanser for the face and also as a conditioner. It prevents wrinkles and also works as sun protection.

It is an excellent massage oil, has ideal moisturizing properties for all skin types and has no side effects. Its use prevents the dryness of the skin and the peeling typical of this condition. Some studies in subjects with dry skin have shown that this product can rehydrate the skin and reduce the symptoms of eczema.

The oil is used in the production of shampoos, balms and anti-dandruff creams. The regular massage of the hair with this oil benefits the hair growth and prevents it from falling. The oil also promotes the regeneration of damaged hair and is an excellent deterrent for lice. According to scientific research, it can also have protective effects on the hair. A study shows that coconut oil can protect hair from sunlight and reduce its effect by 20%.

Coconut is rich in medium chain triglycerides, the fats that the body metabolizes by sending them directly to the liver, through the digestive tract. Here they are used to derive energy or to transform into ketones of substances that contribute to weight loss and that, in addition, play a positive and protective role in the brain.

The best functioning of the metabolism Medium chain triglycerides reduce the feeling of hunger, increasing the feeling of fullness. And this, also helps you eliminate the extra kilos. Because it reduces appetite and increases fat burning, it makes sense to lose weight. Recent studies suggest that coconut oil is particularly effective in reducing abdominal fat. According to scholars, this type of fat is the most dangerous because it can cause heart disease. The consumption of 2 tablespoons a day of natural coconut oil, result in a reduction in body mass index and waist circumference.

Unlike the intake of oil, consuming your pulp can gain weight. Coconut is very nutritious, has high caloric content and is recommended for those who want to gain weight. 100 g of edible pulp in fact provide 360 ​​kcal.

Contains antioxidant compounds that help prevent degenerative diseases and premature aging of the skin. Its use is useful in the treatment of psoriasis, skin infections and dermatitis.

At the time of purchase, to verify the freshness, it is good to shake it to ensure the presence of water inside. The absence of the latter would undoubtedly undermine its freshness.

Coconut milk should not be confused with the water inside the fruit. Milk is the liquid obtained by pressing the coconut meat together with the water for its subsequent filtration. It can also be prepared by grating fresh coconut meat that will then be covered with hot water. Once it has cooled, you can filter everything with a cotton cloth and squeeze it well.

The oil is extracted from the dried coconut pulp. This is used in foods for the preparation of butter and margarine. It is the best type of oil that can be used for cooking, in fact it is the most stable at high temperatures and does not form harmful by-products.

The unopened coconut can be stored for a period of about four months. Once opened, it should be placed in the refrigerator covered with water, preferably the one inside, for no more than 4 or 5 days.

The coconut has many preparations, starting with the water, also mixed with the pulp can be prepared rich drinks, with its pulp we can make sweets, cakes, salty foods. It is a common ingredient in Caribbean food.