Coconut Revolution: Why People Are Switching to Coconut Products
Everyone's going nuts for coconuts! Improved digestion, reduced risk of heart disease—there are big benefits to including this wonderful tropical fruit into your diet. Besides offering lots of nutritional value, coconuts are an effective ingredient replacement in recipes and just an all-around delicious snack.
Want to know what else this amazing fruit can do? We break down six major uses of coconuts, their benefits, and why you should start incorporating them into your life.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid, making it a shorter fatty acid than many of those found in foods like cheese. That means it stimulates metabolism in the body better, which is what gives coconut oil its superfood status. When you consume coconut oil, the fatty acids are sent directly to the liver and converted into ketones, which is the brain's preferred energy source. They also have links to lessening the effects of Alzheimer’s.
Mix some coconut oil into your smoothie for a boost of healthy fats, or substitute it for cooking oil and butter in baked goods. You can even leave it in your hair as part of a deep conditioning routine. It also works great as a skin moisturizer and as a hair care product.
Coconut Coffee
Coffee with a tropical twist? Yes, please! Coconut coffee can be enjoyed in many ways. Brew with infused coconut coffee beans or increase the benefits of your morning cup by adding in a tablespoon of coconut oil. Coconut coffee's healthy properties and tropical taste will have you feeling great all day.
Coconut Water
When you exercise, you lose water through sweat. You also lose electrolytes such as potassium. Luckily, just one cup of coconut water provides nearly 17% of your daily potassium requirement at under 50 calories. This makes it an especially effective post-workout hydrating drink.
Coconut water's high-fiber content may also help with indigestion or other digestive issues. Plus, it can reduce high blood pressure by adding crucial electrolytes back into the blood stream.
Including coconut water into your daily dietary routine is a major benefit, especially if you're active and need to replenish your electrolytes more often. You can drink it by itself or get creative—try coconut water (or coconut butter) in this tasty Cacao Drink!
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is the super creamy liquid made from water and coconut meat. It's very high in saturated fat, but remember that the saturated fat in coconut metabolizes differently in the body, which makes it a healthier brand of fat. Like coconut oil, it can help raise good cholesterol levels, protect against heart disease, and fortify skin and hair cells.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is a gluten-free flour that's high in fiber and protein. Its light flavor and airy texture have helped it earn its place on supermarket shelves. You have to be careful when using coconut flour, though, because it behaves differently than traditional flours. Once you've got that figured out, get creative! The possibilities are endless.
Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is a low-glycemic sugar substitute made from the sap of the coconut palm tree. It ranks 35 on the glycemic index, which means it doesn't raise your blood sugar as quickly as table sugar might. Plus, its 1:1 ratio makes it an ideal substitute for baking. Coconut sugar's slight caramel flavor adds the right amount of sweetness to your favorite cookie, cake, or brownie recipe.
With their many unique uses and powerful nutritional value, coconuts are an excellent food to have on a regular basis. Simply add one or two of these delicious coconut products to your drinks or baking, and you'll enjoy a healthier lifestyle in no time.
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