These nutritional power houses have sustained people in the tropics for centuries and have served as a resource for food, shelter, furniture, fuel, tools and cosmetics.
Coconut water has recently become very fashionable. Those of us in the know however, were drinking it long before Madonna and Rihanna "discovered" its amazing isotonic properties.
Infact, during WWII when blood supplies were non existent, doctors used the water from inside young coconuts as a blood plasma substitute:
"It (coconut juice) is also considered a close substitute for blood plasma since it is sterile, cool, easily absorbed by the body and does not destroy red blood cells. To quote Morton Satin, Chief of Food and Agricultural Organisation's Agricultural Industries and Post Harvest Management Service: "It is a natural isotonic beverage with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It is the fluid of life, so to speak." - India's National Newspaper, 24th November, 2003.
My favourite coconut water is Cocofina (www.cocofina.com). It is delicious and has a chocolatey after taste!
Due to its isotonic properties it is an ideal sports recovery drink. It is naturally high in electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. Great after a sweaty Bikram yoga session!
Moving on now to the oil of the coconut. This is the good stuff. It is made up of MCT's (medium chain triglycerides) this is fat which is easy to digest and quickly metabolised by the body and doesn't affect blood cholesterol levels. This means the calories from MCTs are used immediately for fuel and not stored as fat. It gets better...research shows that MCTs enhance thermogenesis (fat burning). Extensive research has shown that coconut oil can increase thyroid activity and therefore increases metabolism. All these examples make coconut oil the perfect sports/fitness companion. Brilliant for energy when whizzed up in a smoothie or protein shake.
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| Amazeballs!! |
Basic recipe:
3 table spoons coconut oil,
4 teaspoons almond butter (whole nut),
2 teaspoons spirulina,
2 scoops hemp protein powder
2 tablespoons pre soaked gogi berries (organic as the conventional are smothered in nasty pesticides!) or about 6 roughly chopped re-hydrated dates,
chopped almonds or dessicated coconut for rolling.
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mash it together with your fingers. You need to melt the coconut oil with the heat of your hands. When it is all mixed together put the mixture in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to firm up. Cover a plate with cling film. Press the mixture into rough balls, be careful not to warm them up too much and roll in either chopped almonds or dessicated coconut. Place on the cling film covered plate. Return your balls to the fridge to harden up ; )
Coconut oil is stable at high temperature (up to 350 degrees) and doesn't turn into a trans fat, making it an ideal fat for cooking/frying.
Coconut oil is perfect for stir fries, Thai curries and try mixing a lump of it in with cooked rice for an exotic but subtle flavour!
The health benefits of coconut oil are extensive. Coconuts contain natural antibiotic compounds and have been found to be protective against disease causing microbes, including bacteria, funguses, viruses and yeasts. Lauric acid, the main component of coconut oil is the most protective component against viruses and most bacteria, followed by the other fatty acids; capric, caprylic and mysristic acid. Caprilic acid is particularly useful in the treatment of candidiasis and other fungal infections.
It can also be used safely as a moisturiser for hair, skin, nails and even as a lubricant.
My favourite brands of coconut oil are: Viridian, Nutiva, Tiana, Higher Nature and Barleans.
They all taste great and are the best quality ones I have tried. They are all virgin, cold pressed and are hexane/solvent free. There is no funky after taste with these either. See below for links to websites.
I have also recently discovered a brand called Vitaquell, which is also organic and cold pressed. It is available at my lovely local health shop, Health Matters in East Dulwich (www.Dulwichhealthmatters.com) at £3.65 for 200g it is ideal for those on a budget. It is in a glass jar, which like the Viridian coconut oil, is often preferred.
Coconut milk is a great alternative to dairy. It doesn't curdle in tea or coffee and has a relatively neutral flavour. I like to mix my protein shakes with it. Try Kara: www.karadairyfree.com
Last but not least, I want to tell you about coconut nectar. Commonly known as coconut sugar, is the ideal sugar substitute and can be used as you would the white stuff, in baking, beverages and any other aspects of your life you wish to sweeten! It is low on the glycaemic index (around 35) which is lower than honey (55), and cane sugar (68). It won't spike your blood glucose levels and is therefore a good choice for hypoglycaemics and diabetics.
Because coconut nectar is unrefined, it retains its vitamins and mineral salts, potassium, zinc, and iron, and vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C. All essential for its digestion and metabolism.
I shall be posting a report I made after researching refined sucrose (table sugar) and its effects on health at a later date. Just be warned: it's evil.
Suppliers:
www.viridian-nutrition.com
www.highernature.co.uk
www.cressuk.com/brand/nutiva
www.tiana-coconut.com
www.barleans.com
www.vitaquell.de/international/english/
Further reading:
travelman1971.hubpages.com/hub/100-Uses-of-Coconut
www.coconut.com/museum/uses.html
And just for fun...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wg_L0wGTyA
I'm off to eat some fruity rye toast smothered in coconut oil and a smidgen of marmalade. Heaven!
Eat well! Xx
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