FITNESSFORMULA1 .COM TOP 8 HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT : Coconut is a powerhouse of essential nutrients like vitamins, dietary fibre and minerals providing wide range of health benefits. Although this functional food has been widely used in traditional medicine, its amazing benefits have been recently unlocked. Here are eight reasons coconuts are great for your health. 1. It is good for your heart Being low in sodium and high in potassium, coconut is an excellent food for people suffering from high blood pressure. As coconuts contain no trans fats and are gluten-free, they are loaded with high amounts of dietary fibre, and are good for your heart. Coconuts not only improve the cholesterol ratio in your body, but also protects your arteries from damage. 2. It helps in weight management Coconuts are rich in fibre and low in calories which means that they make you full faster, and in turn beat hunger pangs. It also increases your metabolic rate thereby promoting weight loss. They not only prevent obesity but also its related health complications. 3. It aids in better blood sugar control The presence of fibre in coconut slows down the release of glucose into the bloodstream which in turn lowers the blood sugar levels and controls other complications caused due to diabetes. Apart from that, they also help reduce the amount of strain on the pancreas, helping them function optimally. 4. It protects against infection Coconuts are loaded with a myriad of healthy nutrients which boosts immunity and keeps diseases at bay. It also has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that help protect you from a wide range of infections and support your overall immune functions. 5. It improves digestion Most of us are unaware of the fact that coconut is an excellent source of good fats (MCTs – medium chain triglycerides) which are beneficial for people with digestion problems. It also improves bowel movement and digestion in addition to helping in nutrient absorption. 6. It prevents skin infection The application of coconut oil or milk topically helps in shielding the skin from various infections in addition to combating symptoms of skin infections like dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. It acts as a natural aid to prevent sagging skin, age spots and wrinkles along with softening your skin. Coconut not only helps maintain the chemical balance of your skin but also provides protection against harmful UV rays. 7. It promotes hair growth Coconuts and their by-products are undoubtedly the best natural aids when it comes to promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss. As coconut milk is loaded with a wide range of healthy nutrients, using it on a regular basis reduces hair loss and hair breakage. Also, applying or massaging coconut oil to your scalp makes your hair strong in addition to controlling dandruff and promoting hair growth. 8. It gives your energy levels a boost In case you are feeling tired or stressed out, have a few pieces of coconut to boost your energy levels naturally. It is one of the best nutritional sources of instant energy that improve physical endurance as well as athletic performance. Coconut also helps in relieving symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome in addition to providing extra energy. Coconut Water Disadvantages 1. Not Ideal for Athletes: Coconut water is often called Mother Nature’s sports drink. Many people recommend it to athletes. However, people don’t realize that coconut water is a natural drink; hence, it may vary in its potency. It can only temporarily hydrate athletes, but cannot substitute other power sports drinks that are needed for a steady performance and quick energy boost. It is low in carbohydrates and rich in potassium. The athletes do not quite require this combination for sure. 2. Increases Blood Sugar: Coconut water may not fall under sugary drinks but still it does contain carbohydrates and calories. People with blood sugar should give it a miss in between and not drink it every day. It is preferably not the best option as a daily drink. 3. Does Not Help Lose Weight: Coconut water, unlike what most people believe, does not help lose weight. In fact, it comes packed with calories. It contains magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C. But these nutrients are found in minuscule quantities in coconut water. You might want to sip on plain water for shedding some extra kilos. It also doesn’t help fight cancer either. 4. Not Good for People with Frigid Body: Coconut water surely cools one’s body. But again, it may not suit people who are chilly in nature otherwise. People prone to cold and chill environment should give it a miss because coconut water is cool and it may further make them cooler. This in turn may make them suffer from cold more often and add to their discomfort. This is one of the major side effects of coconut water. 5. May Increase Blood Pressure: Coconut water is high on sodium. Most people drink it without even realizing that it contains sodium. In fact, it contains more sodium than what most people suffering from high blood pressure or heart diseases should ideally consume. Many medical conditions prescribe low-sodium diet. Coconut water surpasses such sodium allowances. Hence, it is not advisable for people with similar medical conditions and low-sodium-diet-prescribed-patients to consume coconut water. 6. Not Good for Allergy-Prone People: Coconut water is actually a tree nut. Many people are often found complaining about allergic reactions by drinking it. This again is true for people who are allergic to tree nuts. So it is not ideal for such people. 7. Should Be Consumed Right after Cutting it Open: Coconut water is to be consumed fresh. It should ideally be consumed right after cutting it open. If it is left open for some time, it loses all its beneficial nutrients. If it loses its nutrients, it is no longer considered a healthy drink. So the above mentioned were some of the disadvantages of coconut water. Although coconut water is really great for skin and your over-all health, it must be consumed in moderation. It should be consumed only after considering the above-mentioned disadvantages. To find out the right amount of coconut water permissible as per your health, it is best advised to consult your physician.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:03:31 +0000
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