Coconut, that fuzzy mound that requires near-Herculean strength to crack open, may be worth the effort. What you’ll find inside -- the “meat,” milk and water -- all contain super-nutritional compounds that promote health. Plus, coconut oil is now believed to be a healthier alternative to other oils that also contain saturated fat.
That’s because the fatty acids in coconut oil are made up of the kind of triglycerides that are more easily metabolized by the body. It’s the reason why coconut oil is used in infant formulas and concoctions that nourish hospital patients. These kinds of triglycerides may also act differently on our heart. Evidence shows that virgin coconut oil either doesn't raise cholesterol or primarily raises HDL (the good cholesterol). Research on Pacific Island and Asian populations whose diets are naturally very high in coconut oil has shown surprisingly low rates of heart disease.
This tropical fruit is also abundant in vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Coconut is an excellent source of manganese, and contains 60 percent of the recommended daily intake of the mineral. It is also contains eleven percent of the recommended intake for iron, 9 percent of phosphorus and 8 percent of potassium. There are trace amounts of other nutrients in coconut, including zinc, calcium and magnesium. And coconut is rich in protein. Okay, so it’s also high in calories, but coconut has the kind of protein that helps to build muscle rather than fat.
