The most health benefits in coconuts

Coconut 

     Coconut tree is known scientifically as (Cocs mucifera) the most fruitful plant naturally spread on the ground, and it belongs to the palm family known scientifically as (Arecaseae),  and although the original habitat of this tree is disputed, it is believed that it belongs to countries The Pacific Ocean ,  and is believed to have its origin in the southeast of Asia, which includes Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines , in addition to the islands located between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. 

      From these regions it is believed that this plant was brought to India and East Africa, then to West Africa, and then to the American continent, and then spread to all the tropical regions in the world.     The coconut tree grows up to 30 meters and 35 meters in height, and is characterized by its production up to 70 ripe fruits per year. 

      The coconut fruit consists of the fibrous outer shell, the white fats- containing portion from which coconut oil is extracted, as well as the transparent liquid whose quantity is less the more ripe the fruit. 

      Coconut is used in many industrial purposes, in addition to its use in home cooking, as it is used for therapeutic purposes in folk medicine in many countries, and coconut contains many health benefits that will be presented during this article. 

The health benefits of coconut oil

    Coconut oil is characterized by its high content of short chain fatty acids and a low percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, The health benefits of coconut oil include the following: 

• Stimulates immunity, as found in studies of experimental animals.
• Resists viruses. 
• Virgin coconut oil contains a high amount of antioxidants.
• Studies have found a role for coconut oil in preventing osteoporosis caused by a lack of estrogen, and this effect needs further scientific research.
• In-vitro studies have found that coconut oil can inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells  
• Some preliminary studies suggest that consuming 10 milligrams of coconut oil three times a day reduces the measurement of the waist circumference after 1 to 6 weeks of use, but this effect requires further scientific research.
• Some studies suggest that consuming coconut oil raises the level of good cholesterol (HDL) while it does not affect the level of bad cholesterol (LDL). The bovine that coconut oil raises both the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol. 
•  A study found that coconut oil reduces the duration of diarrhea in children, while another study found that it was not effective in cases of diarrhea, so this effect is not considered clear, and it needs more scientific research. 
• Some studies have found a role for coconut oil in more cases, which include Alzheimer's, diabetes, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome and some thyroid conditions, but scientific evidence of these roles is not enough. 
•  Some studies have found a role for the external use of coconut oil in cases of head lice, psoriasis, dry skin and overweight of infants, but these roles need more scientific research. 

The health benefits of coconut water 

        Coconut water is naturally fat-free and cholesterol, low in calories, and contains a high amount of potassium that exceeds those in four grains of bananas, as it is low in sodium, which gives the body the water it needs. 

       Coconut water is used by many as an alternative to sports drinks, and compared to sports drinks it contains less sugar, calories, sodium and a higher amount of potassium, and it is considered an excellent alternative to sports drinks, especially if sodium is added to it, and it is better than water in re - body hydration that loses fluids and salts through sport, as it is considered a good alternative for drinks that contain a higher sugar amounts and calories, such as soft drinks and fruit juices, but must also not increase in drinking; as this can add For many calories in total, and contributes to increasing the amount of sugar intake and in weight gain. 

      Coconut water contains many vitamins and minerals that enhance oxidation resistance in the body, and studies have found that it contains many antioxidants, in addition to ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and arginine (L-arginine) which has anti-oxidant properties and which reduces the production of Free radicals. It has been found in studies conducted in experimental animals that coconut water reduces the oxidation of fats and restores the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats exposed to oxidizing toxins. Coconut water has had protective effects on the kidneys in studies of experimental rats exposed to ethylene glycol that cause kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis); it has been found to significantly reduce calcium oxalate salts in the urine and reduce creatinine and urea levels In the blood and from the oxidation of fats.

      In addition, a study conducted on experimental animals found that consuming coconut water protects from myocardial infarction stimulated in experiments and reduces the oxidation of the lipids associated with it, and it was found that it reduces the levels of total cholesterol and very low-density lipoproteins. (VLDL), bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood that have been stimulated by elevation in experimental animals by feeding cholesterol into the diet.

       A study also found the ability of coconut water to protect liver cells from damage that is stimulated in experimental animals using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and found that it reduces the levels of liver enzymes that rise in cases of damage to the liver cells.

       And a study found that consuming coconut water reduces the level of high blood glucose and the level of insulin in the blood and glycogen in the liver and the level of cumulative blood sugar in the rats of experiences with diabetes, as it was found that it reduces the levels of high liver enzymes, in addition to urea, creatinine and albumin in the blood In these rats. All previous roles require more scientific research to prove them.

Health benefits of coconut meat 

     Studies in experimental animals have found the ability of white coconut flesh extracts to resist malaria , but not in equal degrees to his drugs, which justifies its use in Malaysian folk medicine in the treatment of this disease. 

     A study found that coconut protein extract reduces the high glucose level in the rats of diabetic experiments, and it was found that it restores the level of glycogen in the liver to the normal level, and also found that it reduces the damage of the pancreatic cells accompanying the diabetes condition, as it restores the beta cells in the pancreas Through its high content of arginine amino acid.

     A study found a role for extracts of the inner shell surrounding coconut meat in lowering blood pressure in cases of high blood in experimental animals.