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Blog
September 13, 2016
Look around you in your local health food store, and it may seem as if a wide variety of coconut products are taking over. Coconut oil. Sugar. Milk. Water. Aminos. Cream. Shredded coconut. Coconut flour. Fiber. Chips. Coconut vinegar and now even coconut protein. But it’s not just a fad; there is merit behind the rise of the humble, fuzzy nut. Because of their versatility, and the wide range of benefits coconut products are here to stay.
Coconut oil is physically and chemically different than most other dietary fats and oils. It’s predominantly made up of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are absorbed more easily and with less digestive effort than the larger fats from both plant and animal sources. They also burn quickly for energy and help to boost metabolism, making them ideal for those with sluggish metabolism.
Like most nuts, coconuts have a significant level of both protein and fibre. Once coconut oil has been extracted from the white coconut flesh the remaining pulp can be dried and ground and turned into coconut flour.
Coconut flesh can be treated with enzymes to separate the fiber and the protein. Dietary coconut fibre is being used in meal replacement bars, cereals, and as a stand alone fibre supplement.
There are so many ways to include coconut items into your diet. Coconut trees grow well in hot, humid, tropical environments, and once the tree reaches maturity it can produce up to 70 coconuts each year, making it a sustainable and useful crop. The humble coconut is a superfood for fuelling the body with clean fat, digestible protein, and filling fibre. As with any food, look for organic sources and ask your local healthfood store about coconut products, uses and benefits that may be suitable for your needs.