Coconut - The Ultimate Superfood

Welcome my Guest Blogger today, Alison Brown, Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist.

Derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word “coco” meaning monkey face, coconut has been used for centuries for culinary and medicinal purposes.  Specifically, what we know of as coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm (Cocosnucifera) which in Sanskrit is rightfully known as kalpavriksha, meaning “tree which gives all that is necessary for living.”  Coconut is a great source of energy, vitamins, minerals, and fibre, and has many culinary uses including: water, milk, sugar, jelly and oil.

As the newly hyped craze in America, coconut water is marketed as the ultimate electrolyte replenisher or “nature’s sports drink,” as it is not only low in calorie, but also a source of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium.  In fact, 8 ounces of coconut water contains more potassium than a banana and almost 15 times the potassium content of sports drinks.  This essential electrolyte is important in regulating nerve transmission and muscle activity, and has been shown to lower risk for high blood pressure and maintain acid-base balance within the body.  When engaged in strenuous exercise, an individual loses more sodium than potassium through sweat. It’s wise to add a pinch of unrefined sea salt to the coconut water in order to make it an ideal choice for replenishing after a hard workout.  Specifically, coconut water is the liquid endosperm of the coconut fruit.  In addition to being rich in electrolytes, coconut water also helps to boost immunity due to its content of monolaurins which are antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. Interestingly, coconut water is similar in composition to human blood plasma and has been used as an IV replacement for rehydration during wartime.  Young coconuts are higher in electrolytes, fructose, and glucose, whereas the water of mature coconuts contain more sugar in the form of sucrose, not to mention the beneficial coconut jelly from which coconut oil is derived.

The benefits of coconut can also be attributed to their content of medium chain saturated fats which are considered a rapidly absorbed energy source.  As the coconut matures, the endosperm begins to solidify to form the jelly or flesh of the coconut.  Specifically, coconut oil and coconut jelly are high in the medium chain fatty acids or triglycerides (MCFAs/MCTs) known as lauric and capric acids.  Interestingly, the only other abundant source of lauric acid found in nature is in human breast milk.

Due to its array of health benefits, coconuts have been used to treat a wide variety of health ailment, some of which include: abscesses, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, fever, flu, gingivitis, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, malnutrition, nausea, dehydration, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, and ulcers.   However, whether you are treating a specific health concern or not, including this powerhouse superfood into your diet is a sure method of prevention and promoting well-balanced health.

Alison Brown

Alison’s philosophy is based on understanding the realities of everyday life, meanwhile emphasizing the necessity of putting yourself first by looking after your mind, body and overall health. As a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, her emphasis is on the inclusion of realistic lifestyle modifications in an individual’s journey to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Alison is on a mission of helping others become more proactive about their health and well-being through dietary and physical activity changes. If you need help on your journey, don’t hesitate to contact her [email protected]. She completed her graduate education in Applied Physiology and Nutrition from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and currently meets with clients for one on one nutrition consultations in the Washington DC metropolitan area.