Introduction
The scientific name for coconut is Cocos nucifera. Early
Spanish explorers called it coco, which means "monkey face" because the
three indentations on the hairy nut resemble the head and face of a
monkey. Nucifera means "nut-bearing."
The coconut provides a highly nutritious source of meat, juice, milk,
and oil that has fed and nourished people around the world for countless
generations. On many tropical islands coconut is regarded as a staple
in the diet and provides the majority of the caloric intake. Close to
one third of the world's population depends on coconut for its dietary
and economic value.
Coconut has had a long and respected history among these island
cultures. Like most nut meats, coconut meat contains less sugar and more
protein than popular fruits such as bananas, apples and oranges. It is
also relatively high in fiber as well as vitamins and minerals such as
iron, phosphorus and zinc.
Coconut is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many
health benefits over and beyond its already impressive nutritional
content. Coconut contains high levels of lauric acid which is converted
by the body into monolaurin. Monolaurin is responsible for solubilizing
the lipid envelope of virus's, causing the disintegration of the virus
envelope and subsequent death of the virus.
In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide
variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma,
baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough,
dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular
or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition,
nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling,
syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset
stomach, weakness, and wounds.
Typical Constituents (per 100 g)
Energy- 2761 Kj / 660 kcal
Moisture- 3.00g
Protein- 6.88 g
Total lipid (fat)- 64.53g
Saturated Fat- 57.218 g
Trans Fat- 0g
Total Monounsaturated fatty acids- 2.745
Total Polyunsaturated fatty acids- 0.706
Cholesterol- 0mg
Carbohydrate- 23.65g
Fiber- 16.3g
Total Sugar- 7.35
Ash- 1.94g
Calcium- 26 mg
Iron- 3.32 mg
Magnesium- 90 mg
Phosphorus- 206 mg
Potassium- 543 mg
Sodium- 37mg
Vitamin C- 1.5 mg
Parts Used
The entire coconut palm can be utilized by humans in some
manner or another. The white fleshy inner layer (meat) of mature
coconuts is the most commonly used portion for both food and medicine.
Typical Preparations
Organic Shredded Coconut can be added to drinks, teas, and
super-food smoothies, and it is also used in baking and deserts. It can
also be used in body care creations such as hard soaps and bath bombs
for its mildly exfoliating and soothing properties and for its wonderful
rich scent.
Summary
The coconut provides an incredibly nutritious source of meat,
juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished people around the world
for countless generations. Modern medical science is now supporting the
use of coconut products to treat many of the undesirable health
conditions prevalent in our modern world. Published studies in medical
journals abound demonstrating that coconut, in one form or another,
provides a wide range of health benefits when incorporated into ones
regular diet.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This product was added to our catalog on Friday 25 September, 2009.