Coconuts have been used for centuries as a food, water, and beauty source—our ancestors even believed the coconut had mystical healing powers. Magical powers or not, the coconut has been making a comeback over the last several years—and we’re on board. Among its wide array of health benefits, the flesh of the coconut is high in healthy fats, manganese, iron, and zinc. Coconuts increase the nutritional value of our diet and even aid in immune function.
Fun fact: the coconut isn’t a nut! It’s actually considered a drupe—like a peach or cherry. But unlike cherries and peaches, this drupe is much easier to feature in your diet.
Our three favorite ways to get in our daily dose: coconut milk, coconut water, or coconut oil.
COCONUT MILK
Coconut milk is high in fat, but it’s healthy fat. More specifically, this fat is monosaturated, meaning it can improve cholesterol levels, and decrease our risk of heart disease. Another benefit of monosaturated fat? It helps keep us full. When we’re not mixing our mele powder with water, we sometimes mix with coconut milk for a creamier texture.
COCONUT WATER
Dissimilar to coconut milk, coconut water has no fat. Composed mostly of natural sugar and electrolytes, coconut water helps boost energy, replenish electrolytes, and relax muscle tension. We love coconut water as a pre or post-workout drink due to the electrolytes, which makes it a healthy alternative to the average sports drink.
COCONUT OIL
Similar to coconut milk, coconut oil is easy to digest, not readily stored as fat, and anti-fungal due to its makeup as a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA). MCFA’s are proven to boost the immune system and naturally balance hormones. We love coconut oil for more than just food -- it’s great as a body moisturizer. Skin is the largest organ of the body and products are easily absorbed into the blood stream.
From electrolytes to healthy fats, the coconut is extremely versatile and a key ingredient in our supergreen and cocoa-nut shakes! Whether we’re incorporating coconut into our eating habits or our beauty regimen, we think of it as our secret weapon.
