“Why are you eating coconut? It’s so fattening??” This comment was directed at me once and I couldn’t hold myself back and burst in to laughter. But, at the same time I was not surprised when this question was thrown at me. People believe certain myths on hearsay and decide what is good and what is bad for them. They seldom want to learn and understand the real facts.

Most people consider Coconut to be fatty fruit. But, if that is the case then by that logic all those who include coconut in their daily food intake should all be fat. This should be the case not only in India but in many other countries like Srilanka, Thailand, Philippines where coconut is one of the main ingredients used in cooking.

Coconut can be consumed in various ways -fresh, dry form, coconut water, coconut oil, coconut milk etc. Interestingly each form has its own significance. Coconut does have saturated fats (which is not harmful as vegetable oil) but, it also has unsaturated fats (like polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids), polyphenols, vitamin K, vitamin E and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc also dietary fibre.

Let’s learn more about the benefits of coconut and how it should be an important aspect of our diet

1. Coconut oil helps in healthy growth of hair and gives shine.
2. It helps to control high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis as it has 50 % lauric acid.
3. It helps in moisturising all skin types, it does not have an adverse effect.
4. It increases immunity as it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal properties because of lauric acid, capric acid. These properties also help in digestion and irritable bowel syndrome.
5. It improves the secretion of insulin hence controls blood sugar levels.
6. It is good for the bones as it has Calcium and Magnesium.
7. Coconut oil can be used for cooking, coconut slices can be used as a snacking option, dry coconut is used for making sweets.
8. It helps in healing damaged issues and infections.
9. MCT’S (medium chain triglycerides) present in coconut reduces appetite.

Coconut is not only a fruit that can be eaten but, it also has water which can be drunk. Just like the fruit, Coconut water also has many benefits.

All we know about Coconut water is that it is a refreshing drink. Most like it …true…but, let’s delve a little deep in to know more about it and its benefits. Often a thought has crossed my mind as to from where does the coconut get the water that is so sweet and drinkable and so nutritious.

Besides less sugar, coconut water is packed with sodium, potassium, folic acid, B complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron minerals…so many nutrients in just 200ml of water..

On drinking Coconut water not only does our body get these above mentioned nutrients, but it also helps in many ways to conquer health issues…lets now understand how?

Benefits of Coconut water

1. It slows down ageing process and also can be applied on eczema, acne.
2. It is good for digestion as it has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties.
3. It hydrates our body faster than normal water as it has natural electrolytes.
4. It is definitely healthier than fruit juices because it has fewer calories.
5. It has anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic properties to reduce cholesterol levels.
6. It helps in UTI, kidney stones as it acts a diuretic.

Coconut water has 40-60 calories per 200ml. So start consuming coconut and make it part of your diet. Why wait…?