23 May Coconuts – Nature’s Miracle Food
Whether you’re consuming its meat, oil, butter, sugar, milk or water, coconuts are one of nature’s most incredible sources of nourishment and natural medicine. Not only are they rich in fibre, healthy fats, electrolytes and minerals, coconuts are known to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic properties!
Coconut oil was wrongly thought to be unhealthy back when saturated fats were demonised. We now know that there is no link between heart disease and saturated fats! In fact, there are so many health benefits of coconut that we’re going to simplify them and narrow it down to just a few key ones.
Coconuts can protect you from diseases and illnesses
The healing properties of coconuts are tremendous! Half of its fatty acids are lauric acid and when it’s digested some of it gets turned into monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin are proven to kill harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Did you know that populations that eat a lot of coconuts do not have heart disease? That’s because the saturated fats found in coconut help to convert bad cholesterol into good ones and lower blood pressure.
They also promote the prevention and treatment of cancers, infections, inflammation, arthritis, stomach ulcers and candida overgrowth! In addition, eating dried coconut meat can help to expel tapeworms and other intestinal parasites. Oil pulling with coconut oil can prevent tooth decay while actually consuming a tablespoon of it every day can help prevent Osteoporosis. You can put it on your skin or scalp to help with burns, eczema, dandruff, dermatitis and psoriasis. It also has moisturising and anti-aging benefits as well (see next section)!
Anti-aging and beautifying
Coconut oil is not only great for eating and cooking but also to use as a multi-purpose beauty product. You can put it directly on your skin (everywhere!) as an after-shower moisturiser; the antibacterial and antifungal properties of this healthy oil is great for people with certain skin diseases. Moreover, coconut oil also increases antioxidant levels which can slow down the aging process! Try using raw organic virgin coconut oil around the eyes as an anti-wrinkle cream or massage into areas with cellulite. You can even use it as a natural makeup remover that simultaneously moisturises the skin!
Burn fat and lose weight
Many studies have shown that consuming coconut oil can help promote weight loss and burn fat – especially around the belly! When digested, the fatty acids in coconuts turn into ketones which reduce your appetite. Combine this with the fact that caprylic acid can help your body burn fat for energy. Eat fat to burn fat – who would have thought?
It’s also notable to say that not all calories are the same. The fats in coconuts are medium-chain triglycerides, and these fats burn more calories than other sources of fat!
How we use coconuts at Laura’s Idea
You will notice that we use coconut products abundantly because they’re packed with health benefits and taste delicious! In addition to using coconut flakes, at Laura’s Idea we use coconut sugar in some of our dessert items as a healthier, low-GI sweetener. You’ll find coconut milk in our Vegetable Curry and big coconut flakes in the Raw Seed Salad. Our sweet treats like Raw Coco Treat, Raw Cacao Delight, Raw Chia & Goji Delight (image), Carrot Ball Delight, Cheesecake, Chocolate Cheesecake and Tofu Cheesecake also use coconut. We want to give you wholesome foods that contain natural energy that will not only satisfy your sweet cravings but also give you nourishment and health benefits!