The coconut palm has been dubbed ‘the all giving tree’ in Indian culture. All of its parts are used in various ways to support the health of people native to coconut growing regions, mainly in tropical countries.
Eating coconut in its most natural, unsweetened form is incredibly nourishing for your complexion. In fact, all forms of coconut, from the meat to the milk and the water, have youth-promoting properties for your skin.
While I love the fresh water out of a just-picked coconut as it’s so rich in electrolytes and alkalising minerals, I regularly buy pure coconut water in cartons too. It isn’t exactly the same as the very fresh version, but it still contains a range of electrolytes similar to your blood, making it a great option for rehydrating your system after exercise.
Good hydration is so important in preventing wrinkles and dry skin, plus it reduces dark under eye circles and signs of premature ageing. To look its very best, skin must be properly hydrated, yet various environmental factors, plus caffeine, alcohol and smoking can really cause it to dry out if the fluids aren’t being properly replaced.
The powerful elements in coconut water include potassium for healthy kidneys and blood pressure, iron, lauric acid, magnesium and calcium. It also stimulates your immune system and acts as an antioxidant.
I often use unsweetened coconut flakes in recipes, as two tablespoons contains just 66 calories, the full set of essential amino acids, fibre and important minerals, including manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc.
The fats in coconut are usually converted into energy for your body to use, rather than stored as fat. Its powerful antibacterial and anti fungal properties help to protect your skin from breakouts and infections, plus it supports your adrenal health and stabilises blood sugar levels. Stressed-out adrenals can often be a cause of dark under-eye circles.
It can be so much more beneficial to cook with coconut oil than other popular oils like olive and sunflower oil, as they’re more unstable at high temperatures. However, coconut oil has a high smoke point and remains stable at high temperatures. While its best to use all oils in as limited quantities as possible as they’re rich in calories, the saturated fats in coconut oil have been found in recent studies to leave cholesterol levels unaffected.
These Toasted Cashew and Coconut Bars make a delicious and nourishing snack.
