Nuts about coconuts!

I absolutely love coconuts and summer is the time when I can feel best the many benefits when consuming this tropical wonder fruit. Actually coconuts are one of the most nutritious of all fruits there is and there is also so many ways you can consume this prescious tropical fruit in order to reap most of its benefits.

I have so beautiful memories related to coconuts from my travels to India. You can always meet some new people when stopping to buy a coconut from the stall and for me many interesting conversations have taken place at coconut stalls while sipping the coconut water with a straw from teh nut. It is also interesting to follow how the vendors work with their machete knifes to open-up the coconuts.

It was funny to follow how the children of my friend climbed high up to the coconut trees at the seaside and they even picked up the nuts from the palms (not an easy task I can assure). My friend is also weaving beautiful baskets of the coconut leaves for sale.

One of my favorit drinks when practicing yoga during the hot summer months is ofcourse coconut water. It just cools down the body from inside so well and it really quenches my thirst. Indeed coconut water is a great hydration drink as it contains about 95% water.

Actually, fresh coconut water is one of the highest sources of electrolytes known to man, and it can be used instead of a sports drink to prevent dehydration during rigorous exercise or extended periods of physical activity.Some remote aareas at developing countries even use coconut water intravenously, short-term, to help hydrate critically ill patients and in emergency situations.

During rigorous exercise the human body loses mineral-rich fluids. However, coconut water serves as an excellent replacement medium with 294 mg of potassium and 5 mg of natural sugar per glass. Sports drinks contains only half of the potassium content and five times the amount of processed sugar.

Potassium is a vital mineral in our body and we need enough of it in order to have our brain and nervous system functioning properly. In addition coconut water contains magnesium, copper, cytokinins (slow down the development of cancerous cells and the aging process) and antioxidants.

Before heading to the beach or to the pool I usually apply organic virgin coconut oil to my skin and by now I have never burned my skin when I have used coconut oil as a suntan lotion. Coconut oil is especially beneficial for a person with predominantly Pitta constitution (Ayurvedic bodytype) as it has cooling effect for the body. I myself am a Pitta type, and thus I can use coconut oil as a bodyoil during the summertime or when in a hot climate.

Coconut oil is also great for the hair, especially if you have dry hair or if you want your hair to grow faster and give it some extra shine. You can give yourself a scalp massage using the organic coconut oil and then leave the oil overnight and wash your hair next morning.

Often when I fry veggies, fish, eggs or whatever, I use organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. I also like to toss some coconut oil into my smoothies or coffee for a burst of lauric acid. I always add it to the delicious raw chocolate I make at home. Coconut oil has been found to increase the good cholesterol HDL, which protects us from cardiovascular diseases.

Other health benefits of coconuts and organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil include: help to lose weight, reduce the risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent other disease with its powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents, improve conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue, improve Crohn's, and other digestive disorders, increase metabolism and promotes healthy thyroid function, rejuvenate skin and prevent wrinkles, boosts energy.

There is so many other ways to use this awesome fruit, but this are the ones I wanted to share this time. Below is a list of high-quality coconut oil characteristics:

- Cold-pressed

- Extra-virgin

- Organic

- No added ingredients

- Coconuts not picked from genetically manipulated palm trees

- Not purified

- Best coconut oil is made of fresh coconuts, not of dried coconuts

Hope you are having some "nutty" summer days - enjoy! : )

DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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