Health benefits of coconut oil – Coconuts are an amazing food source. They’re one of the few plant sources rich in healthy saturated fat.
They also happen to be a really versatile fruit (It’s actually a fruit even though it looks like a nut).
That's because the humble coconut has so many uses besides just the creamy white flesh.
The diverse applications of the coconut make it a great addition to any low cab, high-fat diet, including keto.
Health benefits of coconut oil in fact, a form of fat found in coconuts called medium chain triglycerides or MCT is abundant in coconuts and is prized for its health benefits especially in ketosis.
The fat easily converts into ketones which is the type of the energy your body uses instead of glucose or carbs.
Coconuts also taste great and their fragrance is an awesome addition to many sweet or savory dishes.
In this article, we’re going to break down several uses and benefits of this tropical treat, but before we do that, please make sure you check out our store for more great info and products from our amazing range.
Back to coconuts and why they’re so great for a ketogenic lifestyle.
For that, we will jump in and look at 4 amazing uses and adaptations of coconut and how they can put a tropical twist in your healthy keto diet.
4 Best Keto Coconut Products and Uses
Coconut Water
At the center of every coconut is a fresh reservoir of delicious coconut water. This nutrient-dense natural refreshment comes packed with mineral salts.
These minerals act as natural electrolytes, and in fact, have a near perfect balance of all the electrolytes your body needs.
Think of coconut water as nature’s very own gatorade, but without the refined sugar or any other additives, just pure natural goodness.
Health benefits of coconut oil, coconut water also happens to have a similar chemical make-up to blood plasma. That means you can actually replenish your blood fluids just from the nutrients found in coconut water.
One caveat though, you need to source coconut water from the young. Green fruit. Coconut water from mature brown fruit won't give you the same punch nutrient wise.
MCT and Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
Health benefits of coconut oil a fragrant saturated fat extracted from the flesh of the coconut fruit. This fat has so many uses it would be hard to list them all, but let's give it a shot.
- Great cooking fat which doesn't lose value with heat
- Great healthy saturated fat source for LCHF and keto
- Source of MCT oil
- Promotes healthy skin when used topically
- Promotes healthy hair
- Amazing oral health qualities when used for oil pulling.
Health benefits of coconut oil contains MCT (medium chain triglyceride). This form of fat is quickly converted into ketones that are then used for metabolic function as energy. This makes it the perfect fat for keto adapted living.
Coconut oil is solid at mild temperatures but tends to liquify as it gets a bit warmer. This is the quality of MCT, which sits somewhere between unsaturated (liquid fat) and saturated (solid fat).
Desiccated Coconut
Desiccated coconut, or dried coconut, health benefits of coconut oil is the dehydrated flesh of the coconut fruit.
In this form, it becomes very versatile while still packing the same amazing nutritional benefits.
The most common form of dried coconut is simply known as desiccated coconut and comes in the form of fine shredded flakes. These flakes are used to add flavor and texture to many dishes including desserts, curries and pastries.
Coconut chips are pretty much the same as desiccated coconut but come as larger wafers or chips. These can be snacked on as a health alternative to traditional fried potato chips or can be used as a garnish to desserts and salads.
Lastly, we have coconut flour. This is the same as the previous two, but instead, the coconut is ground into a fine powder. Coconut flour is a great alternative to your typical carby grain flours for a keto adapted lifestyle.
Coconut Milk: A Dairy Alternative
Coconut milk is a rich creamy fluid extract from mature (brown) coconuts. Health benefits of coconut oil, the fruit is mechanically processed, then strained to separate solid from liquid.
This fat-rich fluid can then be used for tons of amazing recipe ideas.
Traditionally, coconut milk is a popular ingredient in Indochinese cuisine such as Thai and Malay cooking.
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Aside from the fragrant flavour, the fat content is perfect for anyone on keto.
Coconut yoghurt is a trendy new health snack. It's a derivative of coconut milk with a few extra tweaks here and there.
Using natural thickeners like tapioca, coconut milk can gain the same consistency as traditional dairy based yoghurt. After you nail the texture, you can add probiotics and flavour as you would with regular yogurt.
Coconut yoghurt can also be frozen to make an amazing vegan froyo.
In conclusion
The coconut is one of the best options for keto living, and healthy living in general for that matter. It's one of the few examples of a food whose taste matches its high nutritional value
If you have any questions about this or other topics, please drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you.
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