Benefits of coconut

Many of us search for that wonder food, which provides essential nutrients, and is still delicious, but it seems that we do not find it. Well good food lovers, here it is – the coconut.

Along with its amazing history, it has been used as food and medicine in Ayurveda since its dawn. Coconut is one of my favourite foods. I use coconut in my food on a daily basis. In my home chopra (dried coconut) is sprinkled on everything.

I grate it and toss it in my salads garnish it with my vegetables, dals, add it as a thickener for my soup, stews, curries, bakes, make chutneys, sandwich spreads and smoothies from it.

Coconut does not contain any cholesterol; it helps lower the lipid levels. It has been theorised that coconut has antioxidant properties. Another key issue with many people today is blood sugar levels.

If you add coconut as a fat source, it normalises blood sugar levels. Consuming coconut regularly restores thyroid function, which will ultimately help in losing weight.

Coconut has antiviral and antifungal activities and helps to stabilise hormonal imbalances. It contains anti-aging properties and prevents senility, dementia Alzheimer’s, cancer and other degenerative diseases plus improves memory and performance.

Coconut oil has been used as a skin moisturiser for thousands of years and it is ideal for dry, rough and wrinkled skin.

I drink the water of the young coconut with a green juice and its cream , which I spoon out. Human blood is 55 per cent plasma and 45 per cent haemoglobin; consuming a green juice with coconut water we get an instant blood transfusion due to chlorophyll in the leafy greens and coconut water as it properties is identical to human blood plasma making it a universal donor.

During World War II, tender coconut water became the emergency room glucose supply when no other sterile glucose was available in the tropics. The cream of young coconut restores oxidative tissue damage and male sexual fluids.

One can survive only on tender coconut’s flesh and its water for days as it contains almost all the essential nutrients needed by the human body and is a natural electrolyte.

According to the Hindu mythology when Lord Vishnu – the protector of universe, came to this earth, he brought along with him the Karpagavalli or the coconut tree, which means giver of all health, energy, strength, tranquility, longevity and peace that’s why in India it is symbolic to have a coconut on every auspicious occasion.

Now with the festive season around the corner and my mouth is watering thinking of payasam made with coconut milk and jaggery. Add coconut to your daily diet; a true wonder food for health to prevent reverse, retard diseases and to improve performance.

Coconut Soup Ingredients

• 2-inch piece of coconut
• 2 cups, peeled and chopped ridge gourd
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 8 – 10 almonds
• ¼ inch ginger
• Salt as per taste
• A few drops of lemon

Method:

• Take a non-stick pan and heat it. Add onions, sauté till it gets soft.
• Then add a cup of water, add the other ingredients, except the lemon and salt and let it boil for 15 minutes till cooked.
• Let it cool and put it in the blender till smooth.
• Add the salt and lemon and bring to a boil.
• Serve hot.