Coconuts go beyond piña coladas and those tasty cookies that Girl Scouts sell. They’re both delicious and nutritious once you consider their amazing health benefits. Here are five reasons to start enjoying coconuts now!
1. Boosts Your Immune System
Because of it’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antiviral properties, coconut is an excellent immune system booster. It can help your body resist several types of bacteria and viruses. Next time you want to avoid the flu season, reach for the coconut!
2. Perfect for Keto
Coconut is rich in fat and low in sugar! One-half cup of coconut meat yields 13g of fat and only 2.5g of net carbs, which makes it the optimal fruit for your diet.
It’s incredibly filling, which helps reduce hunger pangs throughout the day. Sugar is often added to coconut products though, so make sure to buy unsweetened or purchase the whole coconut to scoop the meat out yourself.
3. Increases Bone Health
Coconut helps boost the body’s ability to absorb important minerals like manganese and calcium– both incredibly important in the health of your bones and teeth. Coconut is a great substitute for those who are lactose intolerant or those looking for non-dairy alternatives.
4. Great for Digestion
Coconut can help improve digestion as well as some of the symptoms common with bowel disorders by increasing the absorption of essential nutrients. In addition, it’s a great source of fiber! A diet high in fiber helps regulate bowel movements and lower your risk of constipation.
5. Helps Control Diabetes
Coconut has been shown to improve insulin secretion in your body. It helps slow the release of glucose which in turn requires less insulin to utilize the glucose and transport it into the cell where it is converted into energy. It also helps reduce the stress on the pancreas and even has a positive impact on the hormones that control blood sugar in the body.
Adding Coconut to Your Diet
Now that you’ve heard the benefits, it’s time to introduce more coconut into your diet. Use coconut for smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt. Eat it raw or try creating your own keto fat bombs. If you’re a real coconut lover, you’ll appreciate these delicious coconut snacks.
