Known and unknown properties of coconut. Coconuts General information about the coconut tree

The pulp of a coconut, called copra, is the kernel of the fruit of the coconut palm, and essentially contains the nutrients necessary for the formation and germination of a new plant. Coconut flesh in good condition has a white milky color and a pleasant coconut aroma. If copra has a heterogeneous color, dark spots, an unpleasant odor or soapy taste, then this indicates its depravity.

Copra is valued for the high content of coconut oil extracted from it. There is also a use for the cake remaining after the extraction of oil from the pulp. Copra became popular in northern Europe in the 1860s as a source of dietary fat due to the lack of milk fat. In the early 20th century, coconuts took over the US oil market. Currently, Europe imports about half a million tons of coconut pulp and coconut oil per year. The main suppliers are the Philippines, tangible volumes are also supplied from Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, and Malaysia.

Naturally growing palm trees are a significant source of coconut meat, however, the majority of copra comes from commercial plantations. Coconuts are peeled manually or mechanically using a special cutter. The shell is cut and divided into two halves, and the pulp remains in the form of a solid ball. The extracted copra needs to be dried in an oven or in the sun for several months.

The traditional method of drying coconut flesh in the sun is still widely used today. It is longer, but allows you to get high-quality white copra. The accelerated process using dryers has become popular in particularly humid regions, mainly in the Philippines. The stove, in fact, is a fire pit covered with a net, on which the peeled coconut pulp is placed, covered with a semblance of a roof.

In more modern dryers, the pulp is placed in drying tubes that allow hot air to be blown onto the coconuts. The cultivation and production of copra is truly hard and poorly paid work, which the natives of tropical island and coastal states are forced to do in the absence of other sources of income.

Copra is half water, 30-40% oil, the rest fiber and solids. About 30 nuts will bring 4.5 kg of pulp. Fresh copra for food use is produced several times less than dried copra for use as a raw material for coconut oil. The dry residue after extracting the oil or coconut cake, which is coarse dietary fiber, is used to feed horses. The cake that remains after dry pressing is especially valued; it also contains about 10-12% of nutritious coconut oil.

Due to the high content of fats and carbohydrates, coconut pulp is high in calories. For 100 grams of fresh copra, there are 3.4 grams of protein, 33.5 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and the calorie content is about 380 kcal.

Tell your friends about it.

One of the most famous nuts, coconut is a real storehouse of vitamins (group B, E, K, H and C), minerals (sodium, potassium, selenium, iodine, zinc) and other valuable elements that add up to a product that is indispensable in terms of benefits. for a person.

Eating coconut is pleasant and safe. It has almost no contraindications (doctors strictly forbid it in acute diseases of the gallbladder).

And coconut as a product can be divided into several components, each of which has its own use: water, milk, pulp and oil.

On average, in 1 week on a coconut diet, it is possible to get rid of 3-4 kg. To balance the diet, it is recommended to combine coconut when losing weight with the following food groups:

• cereals (especially rice, oatmeal, corn);
• egg dishes;
• low-fat dairy products;
• hard cheeses (and some soft, but strictly from goat's milk);
• low-fat varieties of fish, meat and poultry;
• vegetables (often grilled);
• fresh fruits and berries.

Naturally, there are many menu options, but it is always important to consume a large amount of liquid: from 1.5 liters in the form of still water, green and herbal tea.

Coconut, when getting rid of extra kilos, is used in the form of:

• water - acts as a tonic and contains only 17 kcal per 100 ml!;
• oils - normalizes digestion, removes toxins and toxins;
• milk - saturates the body with the necessary elements, preventing vitamin deficiency and exhaustion;
• pulp - provides a feeling of satiety.

The benefits of coconut for weight loss are expressed in the fact that it:

• normalizes metabolism (which is necessary for keeping weight at an acceptable level following the diet);
• removes excess fluid from the body;
• Due to the unique complex of biologically active substances, it contributes to a more intensive breakdown of existing fat deposits and prevents the formation of new ones.

It is very important to note that all fats, which make up about 30% of the coconut pulp, are among the most beneficial for the human body. They are easily digested and fully converted into vital energy.

But still, in order to avoid harm to losing weight, you need to remember that a passion for coconut without a strict plan is fraught with disorders in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

Related video:

The benefits and harms of coconut oil for hair

The oil produced from the nut pulp can be refined and unrefined. The second is fatter and thicker, more saturated with useful ingredients, used in its pure form, gives the hair an attractive coconut flavor, but on the other hand:

• with a high probability it may not be suitable on an individual basis (like any nut, coconut belongs to highly allergenic products);
• due to its dense consistency, when applied to the scalp, it clogs pores, which causes oxygen starvation of the epidermis (until the oil is washed off).

Refined oil is much better absorbed into the hair and scalp, almost never causes allergies and contains not much fewer nutrients.

Coconut oil can:

• add to store shampoos, masks and conditioners;
• use for self-created products (often in combination with fruit pulp, honey, fermented milk products, yeast);
• apply to hair with towel warming;
• apply in pure form;
• apply even on dry, even on wet hair;
• withstand from 10 minutes to the whole night.

With the help of this tool (by the way, hardening at temperatures below 25 ° C), it is possible:

• get rid of dandruff;
• stop hair loss and enhance their growth, awakening "sleeping" hair follicles;
• restore the shine and radiance of the color of the dyed hair;
• normalize the pH balance of the scalp;
• give curls elasticity, softness and obedience during styling;
• protect them from the elements, such as hot styling tools (and frequent blow-drying) and exposure to salt water on vacation.

Coconut oil is virtually harmless to hair, except when it should not be applied to the scalp if there is damage (not healed wounds) on it.

Related video:

The benefits and harms of coconut for the skin

Coconut is a valuable and versatile cosmetology ingredient found in a variety of store and home skin care products (creams, masks, shower gels). There is an application for everything.

Milk delicately cares for the skin around the eyes, can be used to relieve swelling (dark circles) or permanent makeup, and the skin of age and fading (not only on the face, but also on the neck, in the decollete) tightens and rejuvenates.

It is worth noting that up to 50% of coconut oil is lauric acid, an antioxidant with properties to accelerate skin regeneration and disinfect it, as a result of which products with the product are effective for skin diseases, insect bites.

Coconut oil products:

• deeply nourish and moisturize the skin;
• get rid of cellulite;
• bring in a well-groomed appearance and heal from cracking the skin of the elbows and feet, as well as hands affected by the wind of autumn and the cold of winter;
• on vacation are a natural sunscreen with SPF 4 to 9.

And thanks to myristic acid (content up to 20%), additional components of care products (in particular, coconut oil is often used as a base, for mixing essential oils) fully penetrate the epidermis.

From the pulp of coconut, masks are prepared from age spots to reduce oily skin and scrubs (often with salt or sugar and coffee).

A bright plus of coconut in skin care is that with frequent use for several weeks it is not addictive, and a noticeable result from it is noticeable immediately.

Unfortunately, all this cosmetic luxury is contraindicated in case of allergy to coconut as a food product. And it is also unacceptable to apply it to the skin with open injuries (not healed wounds, severe burns).

Coconut, dried pulp, not sweetened rich in vitamins and minerals such as: vitamin B5 - 16%, vitamin B6 - 15%, potassium - 21.7%, magnesium - 22.5%, phosphorus - 25.8%, iron - 18.4%, manganese - 137.3%, copper - 79.6%, selenium - 33.6%, zinc - 16.8%

What is useful Coconut, dried pulp, not sweetened

• Vitamin B5 participates in protein, fat, carbohydrate metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, the synthesis of a number of hormones, hemoglobin, promotes the absorption of amino acids and sugars in the intestine, supports the function of the adrenal cortex. A lack of pantothenic acid can lead to damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
• Vitamin B6 participates in the maintenance of the immune response, the processes of inhibition and excitation in the central nervous system, in the transformation of amino acids, the metabolism of tryptophan, lipids and nucleic acids, contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells, maintaining a normal level of homocysteine ​​in the blood. Insufficient intake of vitamin B6 is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, a violation of the condition of the skin, the development of homocysteinemia, anemia.
• Potassium is the main intracellular ion involved in the regulation of water, acid and electrolyte balance, is involved in the processes of nerve impulses, pressure regulation.
• Magnesium participates in energy metabolism, synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, has a stabilizing effect on membranes, is necessary to maintain homeostasis of calcium, potassium and sodium. Lack of magnesium leads to hypomagnesemia, increased risk of developing hypertension, heart disease.
• Phosphorus takes part in many physiological processes, including energy metabolism, regulates the acid-base balance, is part of phospholipids, nucleotides and nucleic acids, is necessary for the mineralization of bones and teeth. Deficiency leads to anorexia, anemia, rickets.
• Iron is a part of proteins of various functions, including enzymes. Participates in the transport of electrons, oxygen, ensures the occurrence of redox reactions and activation of peroxidation. Insufficient consumption leads to hypochromic anemia, myoglobin deficiency atony of skeletal muscles, increased fatigue, myocardiopathy, atrophic gastritis.
• Manganese participates in the formation of bone and connective tissue, is part of the enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, catecholamines; necessary for the synthesis of cholesterol and nucleotides. Insufficient consumption is accompanied by growth retardation, disorders in the reproductive system, increased fragility of bone tissue, disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
• Copper is part of the enzymes that have redox activity and are involved in the metabolism of iron, stimulates the absorption of proteins and carbohydrates. Participates in the processes of providing tissues of the human body with oxygen. Deficiency is manifested by violations of the formation of the cardiovascular system and skeleton, the development of connective tissue dysplasia.
• Selenium- an essential element of the antioxidant defense system of the human body, has an immunomodulatory effect, participates in the regulation of the action of thyroid hormones. Deficiency leads to Kashin-Bek's disease (osteoarthritis with multiple deformities of the joints, spine and limbs), Keshan's disease (endemic myocardiopathy), and hereditary thrombasthenia.
• Zinc is part of more than 300 enzymes, is involved in the synthesis and breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nucleic acids and in the regulation of the expression of a number of genes. Insufficient intake leads to anemia, secondary immunodeficiency, liver cirrhosis, sexual dysfunction, and fetal malformations. Recent studies have revealed the ability of high doses of zinc to disrupt the absorption of copper and thereby contribute to the development of anemia.

A complete guide to the most useful products you can see in the application

Covered with a hard shell on the outside, inside of which there is a transparent tender milk and snow-white pulp, coconut remains a mysterious fruit for many residents of our country. Not everyone knows what useful properties this overseas "nut" has, for what reasons the milk or pulp of an exotic delicacy should be included in your diet.

The fruit got its name from the Portuguese word coco, which in translation into Russian means monkey. This is due to the presence of three spots on the coconut, which make it look like a monkey face. The fruit grows in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, from where it is exported to our country.

Many refer to coconut as a nut. This is wrong. The fruit is a drupe, the mass of which reaches 2.5 kilograms. He is the only representative of the genus Cocos, belonging to the Palm family. The inner part of the fruit with three pores (specks) is called the endocarp, and the outer (outer) shell is called the exocarp.

On the inside of the shell is the endosperm, as well as the white pulp, which has a valuable unique composition. Initially, completely transparent liquid endosperm contains a few drops of oil, and then from water, as a result of maturation, it turns into a milky emulsion - coconut milk. When the fruit is fully ripe, the milk acquires a thick consistency and hardens.

The tree is distinguished by the fact that it grows on the sea coast. The plant feels comfortable near sea water, but does not feel the need for it. Having shallow roots, it receives all the necessary moisture for development and growth from the soil, which is plentifully irrigated on the sea coast.

Salt water does no harm to the peel. If the fruit falls into the sea, it will remain completely unharmed. When washed ashore, it will become planting material from which a coconut tree will grow.

What substances are found in coconut?

The pulp of the fruit is rich in the following valuable components:

• antioxidants;
• amino acids;
• vitamins of groups C, E and B;
• natural oils;
• fiber.

It contains a lot of potassium, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, iodine, zinc, magnesium. There is also a certain amount of sucrose, fructose and glucose in the pulp.

Calorie and nutritional value

Coconut pulp in 100 gr. contains approximately 360 kcal. The calorie content of coconut water is almost zero (16.7 kcal per 100 gr.).

• proteins - 3.33 g;
• carbohydrates - 15.23 g;
• fats - 33.49 g.

In milk, the ratio of nutrients is somewhat different:

• proteins - 4 g;
• carbohydrates - 6 g;
• fats - 27 g.

Exotic fruit is indicated for use:

• with urological pathologies and diseases of the nervous system;
• those who follow a vegetarian diet;
• suffering from hormonal imbalance with thyroid dysfunction;
• people with weakened immune systems, as well as those with problems with the cardiovascular system;
• with visual impairment and eye diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome;
• those who have joint diseases.

The healthy saturated fats found in coconut help stabilize cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis. In addition, the fetus does not allow tumors to grow.

Both milk and pulp have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This feature allows you to use coconut fruits against allergic and acne rashes on the skin.

The fiber present in the exotic fruit stimulates and normalizes bowel function. The use of coconut pulp and oil can reduce the body's addiction to antibiotics. Drops that help with ear pain are made from the pulp.

The fruit does not bring any harm, but in some people it can cause individual intolerance. Those who are prone to allergies should be careful when trying coconut for the first time.

Regarding how much coconuts you can eat, there are also some nuances here. People who are rapidly gaining weight, as well as suffering from indigestion, are not recommended to get involved in exotic treats.

Where are coconuts used?

Flakes, pulp, both fresh and dried, are used in cooking. Dishes with them, subject to regular use, normalize metabolic processes. They allow you to get a good energy boost, but without excess fat.

Coconut flakes are also added to food. It has antiviral and antifungal effects, strengthens the immune system well, removes toxins from the intestines. It is put in pastries, snacks, salads, puddings and cereals. Various sauces, desserts, sweets, drinks and soups are prepared from coconut milk.

Cooking is not the only area where coconut is used. From the fibers that cover the fruit on the outside, strong ropes and cords are made, as well as brushes, carpets and other household items, and a variety of building materials are produced. Coconut shell is used to make dishes, toys, souvenirs, musical instruments.

Benefits of coconut milk

Valuable for both indoor and outdoor use. A solution of coconut milk and glucose is administered intramuscularly to those suffering from dehydration to maintain fluid levels in the body.

Milk is an excellent tonic and refreshing agent for the skin. It restores elasticity to the aging and sluggish dermis, is used in the treatment of allergic and acne rashes. Inflamed areas after the application of milk calms down and dries.

From the dried pulp of the fruit, a valuable cosmetic oil is obtained, which is widely used in beauty rituals. It is equally beneficial for both skin and hair. It has a healing effect on any burns, including those treated from prolonged exposure to the sun.

Especially coconut oil is useful for dry skin with reddened and cracked areas. Saturated fatty acids included in its composition ensure rapid absorption, hydration and velvety skin. Split and dull, they take on a shiny and healthy look.

Benefits of coconut oil for the stomach

Coconut oil is dietary. It contains lauric acid, which protects the intestines from the effects of bactericidal, viral, pathogenic and fungal microorganisms, as well as from yeast. Thanks to capric acid, the protective functions against microbes are enhanced. The oil is easily digested, does not burden the liver, and normalizes the intestinal flora.

What is coconut water and what properties does it have?

Water is present only in unripe fruits, it is strikingly different from milk, which is formed at the stage of mixing water and pulp, in taste and has almost zero calorie content. Sweet and sour and cool, it does not contain harmful fats.

Substances present in coconut water give the product properties similar to saline. It exhibits the following useful qualities:

• perfectly quenches thirst;
• restores the water balance of the body;
• eliminates infections in the bladder.

A fresh fruit has the maximum value, but it is not always possible to acquire one. All the beneficial properties of coconut water are preserved during the pasteurization process, which takes place without the use of any dangerous additives and impurities.

Summarizing

Coconut is an incredibly healthy fruit. It has value not only for health, but also for the appearance of a person. Of course, unlike the usual fruits, it turns out to constantly eat it is not always, but if such an opportunity exists, then it is not recommended to miss this chance. This also applies to products obtained from the pulp of this exotic "nut".