Week 2 [28.03-03.04.2016] A coconut tree – a tree of life

I had never liked the taste of coconut. Coconut cookies, Rafaello, Bounty ..they hadn’t been  for me  until I went to Thailand. In Thailand, the first time I tried the coconut straight from the palm trees. Young coconut is green and  in the middle is coconut water . I tried coconut water straight from the coconut , and since then it has been my favorite drink and I love dishes with coconut flavor. Mm …let's start from the beginning.

(http://royalgoldcoco.com/)

A brief history of the coconut trees ...
In the sixteenth century, Spanish explorers during their expedition in Asia discovered a
remarkable tree . The coconut palm is slender , with long feathery leaves.
Coconut fruit has a shape of large spheres covered with a hard shell .
Spanish explorers called the fruit of palmtrees – coco.
Brown, rough fleece and three holes on the tip reminded them thehead of a monkey.

   (http://photos1.blogger.com/)

Coconuts are inscribed in medical and culinary tradition of South and Central America,

Africa, India , Micronesia , Melanesia and Polynesia and most  regions of Asia 

(a third of Earth's population! ) The use of the coconut tree is irreplaceable starting with

the construction of houses   and finishing with   kitchen utensils . Let's start with the 

construction of houses in  Philippines , it is a wooden or bamboo house covered with

palm leaves. Coconuts are used askindling for the grill(coconut shell), in the cosmetics

industry as well and household. Coconut nutrition properties are widely known today.

(http://thecoconutshop.blogspot.com) Coconut Lamp

The coconut palm is a tree  which provides us with the PULP , JUICE , MILK and OIL . 

Coconut Oil

Particularly valuable is coconut oil : fatty substance extruded with white flesh coconut. 

For the population of some regions of the world (for example - the islands of the South Pacific)

it is the main source of fat. But in countries that know it for hundreds of years , it is also

a source of healing drugs. Beneficial effects of coconuts were already described

in Ayurveda 1500 years  BC. Pacific Islanders call it " a cure for all diseases " and coconut

palm - " tree of life" . In traditional medicine, coconut oil is used to treat ulcers , asthma ,

baldness , bruises , coughs, burns, colds , constipation , fever , kidney stones , painful and

irregular periods ,inflammation and ulceration of the skin , syphilis , toothache , and many 

other diseases. Coconut oil contains  lauric acid - occurs naturally in large quantities only in

two places - in the coconut and  woman breast milk(lauric acid build baby's resistance). 

Coconut oil contains natural antioxidants that remove free radicals, slowing the aging

process  of the skin, making  it firm and elastic.  Coconut oil is used internally as well as 

for external use. 

(http://smileherb.com/coconut-oil-better-than-toothpaste/)

Coconut Juice (Coconut Water)

Coconut water is a drink which is extracted from young green coconut fruit  (unlike coconut milk , which are obtained from the extraction of grease from the coconut pulp ) . Tree takes from the ground necessary  (for the growth)clean water, rich in minerals. Coconut water is rich in essential components of the human body , such as magnesium , potassium, calcium, phosphorus , and vitamins B1 , B2 , B3 , B5, B6, C , and electrolytes is almost the same as in the human blood plasma !

During World War II doctors saved the lives of wounded soldiers giving them sterile water directly from young coconuts ! 

(http://www.gracengofoundation.org.ng/2015/11/20-health-benefits-of-coconut-water.html)

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a popular component of food, especially Thai and Indian cuisine. People suffering from intolerance to cow milk often drink coconut milk. We can also use coco milk as:

- An addition to sauces, curry type dishes, sauces, desserts, yoghurt

- In addition to coffee instead of cow's milk

- During a bath  -  rub the skin – it’s a beautiful fragrance and skin care.

- Used as a lotion for the face, body lotion or hair mask.

(http://www.mjandhungryman.com/thai-red-curry-with-shrimp-and-mango/)

The main vitamins in coconut milk are vitamins C, E and some B vitamins.

In addition to these vitamins, containing coconut milk diet also provides other essential nutrients, such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Iron is integral in the production of erythrocytes, or red blood cells to carry oxygen to the distribution. Magnesium is linked to several biochemical processes, such as nerve cell function and regulation of heart rate. Bones and teeth are reaping the benefits of a good amount of phosphorus. Finally, the potassium is an essential nutrient for the maintain tissue located in major organs in the body such as the brain, kidney and heart.

As you can see, the coconut has many uses. Each component of the coconut contains the necessary ingredients that you can use to improve your health. The popularity of coconut oil is growing increasingly, but remember to buy only oil unrefined. Only cold-pressed coconut oil retains all the properties. When you buy coconut water in a supermarket , check the ingredients - it must be just pure coconut water (with no sugar or preservatives ). Enjoy!

Questions:

1. Do you use coconut oil ? If yes, for what purpose ?
2. Have you ever drunk coconut water? If yes, do you like the taste of coconut water ?

3. Do you know other products made from a coconut?

4. Do you have a favorite dish containing coconuts  ?

Sources:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/8-benefits-coconut-water-you-didnt-know-about.html
https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
https://tsfitnessnyc.wordpress.com/nutrition/food%C2%A0and%C2%A0diet/fruits/the-tree-of-life-coconut-palm/