By Joseph Mercola, D.O.
Many people
believe that coconuts are generally not healthy. However, raw coconut
contains many naturally occurring, health-promoting qualities, and I
would like to share my findings on how you can enjoy the wonders of
this amazing food.
Lauric acid,
the major fatty acid from coconut fat, has been recognized for its
unique properties in food use, which include antiviral, antibacterial
and antiprotozoal functions. Also, natural coconut fat in the diet may
lead to a normalization of body lipids, thereby protecting against
alcohol damage to the liver and improving the immune system's
anti-inflammatory response.
Part of the
confusion about coconut relates to the saturated fat issue.
Fortunatley, Sally Fallon, author of the highly recommended Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges
Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats (with Mary G.
Enig, PhD), as well as numerous articles on the subject of diet and
health, has addressed the issue
of saturated fat. Trans fat is actually the problem not saturated
fat.
It is
important to note that your Metabolic
Type has a major influence on whether or not you will enjoy
coconuts and whether they are good for your individual type. If you are
a protein type you will likely thrive on coconuts, but if you are a
carb type you will most likely not enjoy the coconut meat. The coconut
milk (fluid inside the coconut) is fine for carb types, however.
As a protein type, I really don’t enjoy the low-fat
coconut milk, but I devour the coconut meat and eat about one whole
coconut every two days.
How
to Open a Coconut
First you
will need to drain the coconut. You can do this by piercing two or
three of the "eyes" at the pointed tip with a Phillips screwdriver and
a hammer. Drain all the fluid out, otherwise you will have a mess when
you crack open the shell with the hammer.
When
cracking the shell, you can aim the hammer at a ridge at the eye end. I
recommend breaking the shell into small pieces as it will be easier to
remove the meat. Also, placing the coconut on a concrete floor or
sidewalk makes it much easier to break open. Initially, I would place
the coconut on the ground and hit it with an axe, but then winter came
and I found the hammer to be the easiest way.
After the
coconut is broken, separate the meat from the shell by scraping or
peeling the flesh from the shell with a strong knife. Be careful to
point the knife away from your other hand.
Once you
have removed the meat from the coconut please note its color and
texture. The meat should be bright white, firm and taste good. If it is
soft or tastes funny throw it away as it is likely moldy. Another clue
is the backing or "skin" behind the white coconut. The skin should be a
smooth, unbroken homogenous dark brown. If there are patches of white
that show through, this is another clue that the coconut is too old to
eat.
If you still
believe that coconuts are not good for you please review the links
below. If you are a protein type you will likely fall in love with
coconuts like I did, and find them to be a perfect food to have with
your vegetable juice as the fat really helps to balance out the meal.
It is a nearly ideal snack for protein types, one that will satisfy
your cravings and not make you gain weight.
And if you are looking for
an oil to cook with or add to your vegetable juice or smoothies,
coconut oil is truly the healthiest oil you can consume. It is rich in
lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and
antifungal, contains no trans fat
(even olive oil has some trans fat), and boosts the immune system. You
can even use it on your skin to help prevent wrinkles.
However, the quality of coconut oil can vary greatly
so my team and I here researched coconut oil extensively until we found
the ideal source. I now highly recommend and offer you what is clearly
the premier brand of virgin coconut oil in the United States, Tropical Traditions.
This
virgin coconut oil is not only certified organic, but it also met
all our other requirements, including no GMO ingredients, bleaching,
deodorizing, refining or hydrogenation. Tropical Traditions also uses
fresh coconuts (not "copra" or dried coconuts like most oils) that come
from a rural region of the Philippines untainted by urban pollution.
Coconut Oil
Coconut:
In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century
Nutritional
And Health Aspects Of Coconut Oil
Trans Fat Much
Worse for You Than Saturated Fat
The Truth
About Saturated Fat
http://www.mercola.com/2003/sep/13/coconut_oil.htm
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