On many islands, coconuts are a staple in the diet and provides the majority of the food. Nearly one-third of the world’s population depends on coconuts to some degree for their food and their economy. Among these cultures, coconuts have a long and respected history.
Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Coconuts are classified as a “functional food” because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Wherever the coconut palm grows, the people have learned of its importance as an effective medicine.
Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning “nut-bearing.” The fruit-bearing palms are native to Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, and are now also common in South America, India and Pacific Islands, Hawaii, Florida and Africa. The light, fibrous husk allowed it to easily drift on the oceans to other areas to spread. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as “tree which gives all that is necessary for living,” since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some manner or another.
The coconut itself has many culinary uses, including providing milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. The husk was also burned for fuel by natives, but today a seed fibre called coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, and rope. Coconut oil, a saturated fat made from coconut meat (either through wet or dried method), is used for frying and in candies and margarine, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics. Watch this interesting video below about the amazing benefits of coconuts by Dr Bruce Fife; President of the Coconut Research Centre, USA.
Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Coconuts are classified as a “functional food” because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Wherever the coconut palm grows, the people have learned of its importance as an effective medicine.
Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning “nut-bearing.” The fruit-bearing palms are native to Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, and are now also common in South America, India and Pacific Islands, Hawaii, Florida and Africa. The light, fibrous husk allowed it to easily drift on the oceans to other areas to spread. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as “tree which gives all that is necessary for living,” since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some manner or another.
The coconut itself has many culinary uses, including providing milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. The husk was also burned for fuel by natives, but today a seed fibre called coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, and rope. Coconut oil, a saturated fat made from coconut meat (either through wet or dried method), is used for frying and in candies and margarine, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics. Watch this interesting video below about the amazing benefits of coconuts by Dr Bruce Fife; President of the Coconut Research Centre, USA.
by Dr. Bruce Fife.
