Coconut Health Benefits and Uses

Coconut Components

Below is the nutritional value of 100 g of fresh, raw coconut.

Different uses of Coconut

Given its nutritional and chemical composition, the coconut can be used in different ways and forms for various purposes. It can be consumed or applied externally on the body, skin, and hair.

1- Coconut for nutrition: by consuming coconut or using coconut products when cooking, people can take advantage of its many health benefits.

Coconut can be enjoyed as a whole fruit or used as coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut flour, coconut milk, coconut water, coconut flakes, and coconut sugar.

2- Coconut for external use: coconut products are commonly applied externally to moisturize and hydrate the body, face, and hair. The products are also used for cosmetic and beauty purposes and massages and relaxation.

Coconut Benefits

The coconut is considered a miracle product because of its nutritional and chemical composition. It has several health benefits and can help cure several diseases and medical conditions. It also has great nutritional value and can be used for beauty and cosmetics. The benefits of using coconut include:

1-  Medical Conditions:

- Boosting brain functions: coconut oil may enhance memory and brain function and can help treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is because coconut oil is made up of medium-chain triglycerides that produce ketones when they are metabolized in the body. The brain can then use ketones for energy instead of glucose.

- Reducing irritation and inflammation: coconut oil may help people cope with heat rashes, inflammation, skin irritations, and an upset stomach. Coconut oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties because of its unique fatty acid composition, which helps treat inflammation. It also contains a lot of antioxidants which help reduce skin irritations and heat rashes.

- Treating arthritis: coconut oil treats arthritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce joint inflammation. It also contains antioxidants called polyphenols that reduce inflammation. Some scientists believe that arthritis is caused by microbes that attack the joints. Coconut oil may be able to help treat this because it has antimicrobial potential.

- Reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels: coconut fiber can also help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It can also help regulate bowel movements and strengthen the immune system due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties as well as its fiber content.

- Boosting metabolism: Coconut can be consumed as food to provide additional energy and boost metabolism. It also contains many vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C that play important roles in the body and maintain overall health.

- Preventing dehydration: coconut water is also a great way to prevent or treat dehydration due to its natural composition of electrolytes.

Coconut products may also be beneficial for other conditions including breast cancer, clogged arteries, diarrhea, head lice, newborn weight gain, obesity, psoriasis, diabetes, fatigue, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and thyroid conditions. However, more scientific research and evidence is still needed to determine the effect of coconut consumption on these diseases.

2- Cosmetics and Beauty

Coconut products, such as coconut oil and milk, possess various properties that can help heal and improve skin and hair quality. People heavily rely on these products in the cosmetic and beauty industry.

- Skincare: coconut products are used to moisturize, nourish, and cleanse the skin. They can be used as sunscreen and can also treat some skin disorders. The coconut contains antioxidants that reduce wrinkles and skin irritation.

- Haircare: coconut products have been used for hair treatments for hundreds of years. They are used in hair masks and added to homemade hair products because coconut strengthens the hair and promotes hair growth. It can also get rid of dandruff.

3- Nutritional Value

Coconut milk can be used as an alternative for dairy milk products for people with lactose intolerance because of its enjoyable taste and great nutritional value. However, since it is much higher in fat and calories, people should consume a smaller serving size than what is usually recommended for regular milk.

100 grams of coconut milk contains 230 calories. It consists of 24% fat and contains 21 grams of saturated fat, 5.5 grams of carbohydrates (of which 2.2 grams is fiber), and 2.3 grams of protein. It is also an important source of manganese, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium.

Coconut products in all of their forms can be used for cooking. Due to their nutritional value and flavor, many coconut products can also be consumed as is or added to several dishes and baked goods.

4- Physical Therapy and Relaxation

- Massage oil: Coconut oil can be used for messages to calm the mind. A coconut oil massage can help people get a good night of sleep. They can opt for a full body massage or apply the oil to their scalp, ear, and nostrils.

- Aromatherapy: coconut oil or butter can be used for aromatherapy and to massage the hair and skin. Coconut oil or coconut butter can be used separately, or they can be mixed, creating an aromatic butter with a unique coconut aroma.

Coconut Oil Precautions

Coconut oil is mostly considered safe when taken orally or applied to the skin. However, it is a type of fat that may increase cholesterol levels, so people should consume it in moderation.

When coconut oil is used medicinally for a short time: people can take up to 10 ml of oil, two to three times per day, for 12 weeks.

The following groups of people should use coconut oil with caution:

- Pregnant and breast-feeding women: coconut oil is likely safe when used according to the recommended amounts.  The consequences of excessive use of coconut oil are unknown in pregnant and breastfeeding women, so it is safer to stick to the reasonable acceptable amounts present in the food.

- Children: coconut oil is likely safe for children if they eat reasonably acceptable amounts already present in the food. It is possibly safe when applied to children’s skin. Even though it is safe for children and infants, coconut oil was only tested for a short period of time. There are no proper recommendations regarding the use of coconut oil for children because there is not enough reliable evidence on the matter.

- Individuals with high cholesterol levels: individuals with high cholesterol levels should be careful of how much coconut oil they consume. There are concerns that coconut oil may increase the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). However, most current evidence shows it has almost no effect on LDL cholesterol levels and only increases the levels of good cholesterol (HDL).

For safety purposes, all coconut products should be consumed in moderate amounts. The effects of excessive coconut oil consumption are not well studied and should be avoided.

Applying coconut oil on skin or hair

When applying coconut products on the skin, hair, or body, you must keep in mind the following precautions:

- Test the oil on a small patch of skin: always use small amounts of coconut oil on the skin at first to see how it responds to it.

- Coconut oil may not be suitable for everyone: some people may experience adverse effects if they apply coconut products to their skin, especially if they have oily or sensitive skin.

- Allergies: some people are allergic to coconut oil. If you believe you are allergic to coconut, check with a healthcare professional to arrange a test and avoid all coconut products and foods to prevent an allergic reaction.