Coconutty

Coconut, amazingly delicious as it may be, gets a bad rap.   This post is an attempt to clear up some of the confusion and show that there is more to this mystical fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) than pina coladas and curry.

Some definitions:

Coconut milk is made by squeezing the liquid out of the meat of the coconut. The watery substance that rests in the middle of a coconut is different, and marketed as coconut water or coconut juice.  The milk is mainly composed of dietary fat, but also boasts some protein and carbohydrates along with a good amount of magnesium, potassium and several other vitamins and minerals.  Virgin coconut oil is just the fat of the coconut and consists mainly of the saturated fat Lauric Acid.

Why coconut is awesome:

It’s rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).  MCTs are special fats.  Unlike long-chain and short-chain triglycerides, they bypass the more complicated absorptive route through the lymphatic system and head straight to the liver where it can be used as energy.  MCTs are so efficient at providing energy while being easy on the digestion that they are used in standard infant formulas and hospital tube feedings.  Although it is a fat, it acts similarly to a carbohydrate in that it provides energy with the benefit of keeping blood sugar stable.  There even has been some evidence showing an increased fat burning effect of coconut oil, but studies have not been consistent.  So for now, hold off on spoonfuls of the stuff, but feel free to use in place of olive oil in your cooking, especially when using high heat.

Coconut can boost your immunity.  Certain components of coconut have been repeatedly shown to have the ability to kill specific fungi, yeast, bacteria and viruses.

Coconut may positively alter lipid profiles- creating a more ideal HDL:LDL ratio.  Benefits are only seen with Virgin Coconut Oil, as opposed to trans fat filled hydrogenated coconut oil which is used in some animal studies and shows negative results.  It is also of particular importance to note that several hunter gatherer societies around the world eat coconut as a staple in their diet, none of which have a significant incidence of cardiac disease (ie the Kitavans).

There have also been studies inferring a potential benefit of coconut in regards to thyroid health, cancer, AIDS therapy and even anti-aging.  However, the data is still conflicting so further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

Perhaps the best benefit of all- it’s Paleo and delicious in all forms! So fuel up!

 

How to use it:

1. Instead of creamer in your coffee use coconut milk
2. Use the milk blended up with some fruit and ice for a smoothie
3. Coconut milk obviously makes delicious curry dishes
4. Coconut water can be a healthier alternative to electrolyte replacement drinks such as Gatorade.
5. Cook at high temperatures with coconut oil, which has a higher smoke point than olive oil, meaning it will not burn and oxidize as easily
6. The oil can be used topically as a moisturizer
7. Coconut flour can replace normal flour for those times that you are craving bread or a baked good (because we’re all still eating paleo….. right?)
8. Any other ideas?  Comment….

 

In other news- SAVE THE DATE for the next visit by FitnessWave Norcal—September 17.   If you need motivation to keep up your amazing results from the Paleo Challenge, new to CFPH and want to have your baseline body comp measured, or for whatever reason didn’t join the spring challenge, make sure to set this date aside.  I will post a link once it is up on Fitness Wave’s calendar.