What Fruit Is Full Of Healthy Fats And Oils? The Handy, Dandy Coconut!
There are lots of benefits to using coconuts and all-natural, virgin coconut oil when cooking.
You've seen them in produce section of the grocery store, and their oil is sold in the nutritional health supplements aisle. They're round, brown and—if you've never eaten one before—a little intimidating. They're coconuts, and the flesh and oils inside them is great for brain, heart and skin health.
The funny thing about coconuts is that they occasionally have a bad reputation, even though they contain one of the world's healthiest saturated fats—namely, coconut oil. Here's a little rundown on the fruit itself, as well as tips on how to use its oil in healthy cooking and food preparation.
The coconut: A migrating miracle
Where do coconuts come from? If you buy them at the supermarket, chances are they're grown in domestic greenhouses in the U.S. However, some coconuts are imported from Central or South America.
But the actual origin of coconuts has proved much harder for scientists to figure out. After all, these fruits have crisscrossed the globe over the centuries, both by floating in the ocean and through international trade. However, a biologist from Washington University in St. Louis claims to have pinpointed where they originally grew.
Researcher Kenneth Olsen analyzed the genes of many different types of coconuts, and made a surprising discovery. According to him, coconuts probably first grew in two places: the Pacific (especially Southeast Asian Islands like the Philippines and Indonesia) and the Indian coast (mainly Sri Lanka and the Maldives).
Over the centuries, coconuts were traded worldwide, so that today they can be bought almost anywhere!
What makes coconut so special?
Part of the magic of a coconut is how unique it is. For one thing, it's the world's largest seed, according to the Minnesota Coconut Growers. But it isn't exactly seed, either. It's more like a cross between a fruit, a nut and a seed, with the benefits of all three.
Like nuts, coconuts pack plenty of healthy calories into each bite, making them an efficient superfood. Like seeds, their oil is great from heart health, memory, skin moisture and cardiovascular well-being, especially if you take it after it has been processed and purified. Like a fruit, the coconut is loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals.
According to Food Reference, coconut oil was once the most common vegetable oil used worldwide, until soybean oil surpassed in in the 1960s. That's a shame, because there are lots of benefits to using all-natural, virgin coconut oil when cooking.
Cooking with coconut can keep your body healthy
Even though its fats are saturated, coconut oil is surprisingly good for you! Did you know that it contains lauric acid, a compound that boosts immune health? The oil is also rich in medium-chain triglycerides, which are fats that boost metabolism and encourage weight loss.
By substituting a little coconut oil for butter or oils extracted from corn or soy, you can make a tasty dish that's also good for you. As a bonus, coconut oil doesn't become rancid after being exposed to air, as corn, soy and safflower oils do.
What is the best way to get coconut oil into your diet?
There are several things you may want to try. The first, and by far the easiest, is to purchase dietary supplements containing purified, virgin coconut oil. These tend to be inexpensive, and they promote health in nearly every part of your body.
Alternatively, you can find bottled coconut oil in many grocery stores, which can be used in place of other cooking liquids. And then there's the plain old coconut in the produce aisle. here's how to pick and prepare one:
—When choosing a coconut, heft it in your hand. It should feel heavy, and if you listen carefully, you can hear the coconut water sloshing around inside.
—After buying it, store your coconut in the refrigerator or some place cool. This will keep it fresher longer.
—When you're ready to eat it, begin by piercing one of its three "eyes" (the little brown spots on one end) with an ice pick or screwdriver. Upend it over a cup and watch as all the coconut water drains out. You can drink it. It's good for digestion and tastes great!
—Next, give the side of the coconut a few firm raps with a small hammer. It takes less force than you might think to crack one in half.
—Finally, once the coconut has broken in two, use a sharp knife to cut the white meat into wedges and pry them out. Now enjoy!
If you liked this article and would like to try coconut oil for yourself, our friends at Vitamin Research Products offer an excellent option. Their Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is a raw and unrefined oil produced from organically grown fresh coconuts that can be used in place of butter and other cooking oils.