Coconut the Functional Food

Coconut the Functional Food

Coconut has gotten a bad reputation over the past few years. Just like eggs, coconuts are actually good for your health. Coconut is known as a “functional food” . Meaning it provides health benefits beyond its nutritional content. ( The American Dietary Association top 5 functional foods are salmon, oats, blueberries, low fat milk and yogurt.) It is very nutritious and rich in minerals, vitamins, and fiber. The Pacific Islanders use it as a source of food and medicine, they call it “The Tree of Life”

Some great reasons to add coconut to your diet are;

•  Coconut is ideal for people with food allergies. Coconut is regarded as hypoallergenic because few people are allergic to it. People with soy, wheat, dairy and nut allergy or intolerance find that they can have coconut oil, flour,and milk.
• Coconut flour is naturally low in digestible carbohydrates, contains no gluten,  is loaded with fiber and protein.
• According to the Mayo Clinic, the milk of coconuts has been proven effective in curbing the growth of certain cancer tumors.
• Coconut oil helps treat irritable bowel and improves digestion
• Stimulates liver to breakdown fat (bile). Promotes weight loss by speeding up the metabolism.
• Great for your hair and skin. Useful in treating eczema, and dry scalp. Reduces oily skin.
• Coconut water is better than most sports drinks,it contains all the electrolytes that your body needs, such as potassium and magnesium.
• Helps boost the immune system to fight off viruses.
• Reduces nausea
• Coconut water  may help dissolve kidney stones