Coconut
The coconut tree, scientifically known as ( Cocs mucifera), is the most naturally occurring fruit plant in the earth. It belongs to the scientifically known ( Arecaseae ) palm family. Although the native tree is disputed, it is believed to belong to the Pacific countries. It is believed to originate from the southeast of Asia, which includes Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as the islands between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
From these areas, it is believed that this plant was brought to India and East Africa, then to West Africa, and then to the American continent, and then spread to all the tropics in the world.
The coconut tree grows up to 30 meters and 35 meters in height and is characterized by its production up to 70 ripe fruits per year.
The coconut fruit consists of the fibrous outer shell, the fat-containing white portion from which the coconut oil is extracted, and the clear liquid which is less in quantity as the fruit ripens.
Coconut is used for many industrial purposes, as well as for home cooking. It is also used for therapeutic purposes in folk medicine in many countries. Coconut contains many health benefits that will be presented during this article.
Health benefits of coconut oil
Coconut oil is characterized by its high content of short-chain fatty acids and a low percentage of unsaturated fatty acids,
The health benefits of coconut oil include:
- Stimulates immunity as found in experimental animal studies.
- Resists viruses.
- Extra virgin coconut oil contains a high amount of antioxidants.
- Studies have found a role for coconut oil in preventing osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency, and this effect requires further scientific research.
- in-Vitro studies have found the ability of coconut oil to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.
- Some preliminary studies suggest that taking 10 milligrams of coconut oil three times a day reduces waist circumference after one to six weeks of use, but this effect requires more scientific research.
- Some studies suggest that eating coconut oil raises the level of good cholesterol (HDL) while it does not affect the level of bad cholesterol (LDL), but in contrast found a study comparing a diet high content with coconut oil or Safflower oil (or fat) Bovine coconut oil raises both good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
- One study found that coconut oil reduces the duration of diarrhea in children, while another study found that it was not effective in cases of diarrhea, so this effect is not clear and requires further scientific research.
- Some studies have found a role for coconut oil in more cases, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and some thyroid conditions, but the scientific evidence for these roles is insufficient.
- Some studies have found a role for external use of coconut oil in cases of head lice, psoriasis, dry skin, and infant weight gain, but these roles require further scientific research.
Health benefits of coconut water
Coconut water is naturally fat-free and cholesterol-low in calories. It contains a high amount of potassium that is superior to those of four bananas. It is also low in sodium and gives the body the water it needs.
Many people use coconut water as an alternative to sports drinks. Compared to sports drinks, it contains less sugar, calories, sodium and a higher amount of potassium. It is a good alternative to beverages that contain higher amounts of sugar and calories, such as soft drinks and fruit juices, but should also not be increased. For many calories in total, and contributes to increasing the amount of sugar intake and in weight gain.
Coconut water contains many vitamins and minerals that enhance oxidation resistance in the body, and studies have found that they contain many antioxidants, in addition to ascorbic acid (vitamin C) L-arginine
It has antioxidant properties that reduce the production of free radicals and has been found in studies of experimental animals that coconut water reduces lipid oxidation and reactivates the antioxidant enzymes in rats exposed to oxidizing toxins.
Coconut water has found kidney protective effects in studies of experimental rats exposed to ethylene glycol, which causes kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis); It was found to significantly reduce calcium oxalate salts in the urine, It reduces the level of creatinine and urea in the blood and fat oxidation.
In addition, a study of experimental animals found that drinking coconut water protects against myocardial infarction stimulated in the experiments and reduces the oxidation of lipids associated with it. (VLDL), bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides in the blood, which were stimulated in high in experimental animals by feeding cholesterol in the diet.
A study also found that coconut water could protect liver cells from damage stimulated in experimental animals using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and found that it reduces liver enzyme levels that rise in liver cell damage.
A study found that drinking coconut water reduced high blood glucose, blood insulin, glycogen in the liver and cumulative blood sugar in diabetic rats, and lowered elevated liver enzymes, urea, creatinine, and albumin in the blood. In these rats.
All previous roles need more scientific research to prove them.
Health benefits of coconut meat
Studies of experimental animals have found the ability of white coconut meat extracts to resist malaria, but not to the same extent as its medicines, which justifies its use in Malaysian folk medicine to treat the disease.
A study found that coconut protein extract lowers the high glucose level in diabetic rats. It also restores the glycogen level in the liver to normal levels. By its high content of amino acid arginine.
A study found the role of extracts of the inner shell surrounding coconut meat in lowering blood pressure in cases of high blood in experimental animals.
