Experience the health benefits of coconut

Published: 17-Sep-2014

With all the health products available on the market today, the key is to identify those that are guaranteed to provide significant health benefits. One of the most popular ingredients in healthy foods and snacks today is coconut, maintains Jacob Thundil, Director, Fina Brands Limited

With all of the health products available on the market today, it can be difficult to differentiate between those that are truly good for you and those that are nothing but hype. The key is to identify products that are made with all-natural, wholesome ingredients that are guaranteed to provide your body with significant health benefits. One of the most popular ingredients in healthy foods and snacks today is coconut.

When people use the word “coconut” they are typically referring to the fruit of the coconut palm or coconut tree, Cocos nucifera. These trees grow throughout the tropic and subtropic regions of the world and their fruits are a significant food source for many cultures. But what is it about these fruits that make them so good for you? Some of the many health benefits of coconut are listed below:

  • coconuts are a natural source of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolised quickly by the liver as a readily available source of energy
  • the MCTs found in coconut have also been shown to have therapeutic effects on the brain for certain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy
  • coconut contains a type of fatty acid called lauric acid that has powerful antibacterial properties: it has been shown to kill viruses, fungi and other pathogens
  • the MCTs in coconut are turned into ketone bodies in the liver, which have been shown to reduce seizures in epileptics
  • the healthy saturated fats in coconut can help raise your HDL (good) cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
  • coconut is loaded with electrolytes; in fact, coconut water has the same electrolyte levels as human plasma and can actually be used for plasma transfusions
  • the nutrients in coconut have been shown to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays and to moisturise the skin
  • coconuts contain a variety of nutrients that have antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties, which means that it is good for your immune system
  • the oils in coconut can help to moisturise hair, leaving it healthy, lustrous and more luxurious
  • coconut not only contains both calcium and magnesium, it also improves the body’s ability to absorb these minerals, which reduces your risk of osteoporosis

Popular coconut-based products

The various parts of the coconut tree can be used in different ways, although the coconut fruit itself is the most useful. For example, the seeds can be used to make oil for cooking while the flesh of the coconut fruit is often used in confections and desserts. Coconut meat can also be used to create coconut milk, which is a popular ingredient in many ethnic cuisines, often added to soups, curries and other dishes.

Coconut water, the liquid found inside the coconut fruit, is rich in natural sugars, dietary fibre and a number of vitamins and minerals. It is often used as a refreshing beverage, particularly as a sports drink, because it helps to replenish electrolyte levels. Even the sap derived from the flowers of the coconut tree has culinary uses as a sugar alternative: this sugar is referred to as coconut sugar or palm sugar.

Health benefits

Given the popularity of coconut as an ingredient in health foods, you can find coconut-based products fairly easily. But how do you know which products are the best? Cocofina is a leader in the coconut-based food industry and is known for producing high quality and delicious products including coconut water, coconut sugar and coconut snack bars. Cocofina was founded in 2005 and has become the leading European brand of coconut water, distributed in more than 2,500 stores and exported to nearly 20 different companies. If you are looking for the best coconut-based food products available on the market today, trust Cocofina. Below you will find a list of some of the company’s most popular products as well as an overview of the health benefits they provide.

Coconut water: Despite its name, coconut water is technically a type of juice; it is the liquid that can be found inside the coconut fruit and it is full of healthy nutrients. Coconut water contains about 45 calories per 8 ounce serving along with 10% your daily recommended allowance for vitamin C and 11% your daily recommended allowance for dietary fibre. This beverage is particularly high in potassium, which acts as a powerful electrolyte to help rehydrate your body and replenish your fluid balance. Cocofina coconut water comes in three convenient sizes: a 200 mL Tetra Pak, a 500 mL PET Bottle and a 1 L Tetra Pak. These products have a shelf-life of nine months so you have plenty of time to enjoy them. Stock up so you can enjoy the health benefits of light and refreshing coconut water whenever you want it.

Flavoured coconut water: If you are looking for a healthy beverage with a little more taste, flavoured coconut water is a good choice. This beverage still contains all the nutrients found in plain coconut water — including B-complex vitamins, calcium and iron — but has the added flavour of fruit or tea. Available in 250 mL glass bottles, Cocofina coconut water comes in three delicious flavours: mango and guava, apple and blueberry, tea and passion fruit. These beverages are the ideal form of low-calorie hydration, having only 50 calories per bottle. Use this beverage to rehydrate after a tough workout or simply as a healthy alternative to sugary soft drinks.

Coconut sugar: Coconut sugar, or palm sugar, is produced by heating the sap produced by coconut flowers and reducing it into a thick syrup. This sugar has a subtly sweet flavour, not unlike brown sugar, with a hint of caramel. What makes this type of sugar particularly beneficial is the fact that it has a very low glycaemic index (GI) rating compared with refined sugar; according to the Philippine Coconut Authority, coconut sugar has a GI rating of 35, which qualifies it as a low glycaemic index food. An all-natural alternative to refined sugar, Cocofina’s coconut flower nectar is organic and unrefined. This product comes in 350 mL glass bottles and has an average shelf-life of nine months. Similar in consistency to honey, Cocofina coconut flower nectar is a healthy sugar alternative that has a naturally low glycaemic index rating; this makes it perfect for diabetics and individuals who are watching their carbohydrate or sugar intake.

Coconut oil: Coconut oil is the edible oil that is extracted from the meat of mature coconuts and has a variety of culinary applications. What makes this type of oil unique as a cooking oil is the fact that it has a high saturated fat content, which gives it the ability to withstand high temperatures and it can last up to two years without spoiling. Because coconut oil can withstand very high temperatures, it is often used for frying; it is also popular for use in baked goods and pastries, owing to its lightly sweet and nutty flavour. Available in 350 mL glass jars, Cocofina coconut oil is completely raw and organic.

Coconut milk: Coconut milk is produced by pressing the grated meat of mature coconut; it can be made in varying thicknesses depending on the fat content, ranging from 5–22%. The higher the fat content of the coconut milk, the thicker it will be; full-fat coconut milk (20–22%) is actually solid at room temperature. Coconut milk can be used for a variety of culinary applications, including soups, curries and even desserts; it is particularly popular with individuals following dairy-free diets such as the vegan or Paleo Diet because it is a non-dairy milk. As an alternative to the thicker forms of coconut milk, it can also be thinned with water and consumed as a slightly sweet beverage.

Energy bars: Coconut meat comes in a variety of forms; you can purchase fresh coconut meat or you can buy it dried and shredded. The meat of the coconut fruit is slightly sweet and tender, which blends well with other dried fruits, nuts and even chocolate in healthy snacks such as snack bars. If you are looking for an all-natural energy bar, look no further than Cocofina’s Organic Coconut & Date Bar. These energy bars are made with dates, raisins, coconuts and oats; there are no artificial ingredients and no added sugar. Each bar contains 142 calories, which is just enough to satisfy your hunger and to keep you powered up until your next meal.

Whether you are looking for a healthy ingredient to use in your favourite recipes or a satisfying and hydrating beverage, coconut is the way to go. Coconut is rich in both flavour and nutrients, loaded with everything from potassium and magnesium to vitamin C, dietary fibre and heart-healthy fats. If you want to indulge in some of the healthiest and tastiest coconut products on the market, consider Cocofina products such as coconut water, coconut oil and energy bars.

You may also like