Coconut: uses and nutritional benefits

• Laxative (fiber): sliced ​​coconuts are extremely rich in fiber. Dietary fibers are indigestible and enter the fecal bolus. Thanks to their hydrophilic power, fiber increases the volume of stools, which stimulates digestive transit.

• Control blood sugar (lipids, fiber): 75% of the composition of coconut flakes is represented by lipids and fibers. Both reduce the glycemic index of foods. Thus, coconut flakes have a low glycemic index. They do not cause large variations in blood sugar levels after consumption.

• Controls appetite (lipids, fiber): thanks to the low glycemic index of coconut strips, they normalize feelings of hunger. Indeed, variations in blood sugar increase the desire to eat. Conversely, balanced blood sugar levels promote satiety.

• Contributes to energy metabolism (carbohydrates, lipids): coconuts are vectors of lipids and carbohydrates: macronutrients used by the body to provide energy. If we look at carbohydrates, half are simple sugars, the other half are complex sugars. Coconuts will provide energy that the body can use quickly and also over time.

• Anti-infectious (lauric acid): the lipid profile of coconuts is mainly represented by lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid. Lauric acid is considered an anti-microbial agent. It is believed to have the ability to fight bacteria, viruses and fungi. Thanks to this fatty acid, coconuts can claim to strengthen the immune system.

The Coconut Palm is a plant of the Araceae (or Palmaceae) family. The Coconut Palm probably originated in the Indo-Malaysian regions. Indeed, fossil coconuts several million years old have been discovered in New Zealand and India. The Coconut Palm spread in waves in different regions of the world, first of all by colonizing neighboring tropical islands, through the ability of its fruit (the Coconut) to float on water.

The Coconut Palm is a false tree: it has no trunk, but a sharp stem. This stipe ends in immense palm leaves. The Coconut Palm gives its first fruits after 5 to 7 years of growth. The inflorescence turns into a drupe (the fruit). The fruit is brown in color, and is covered with a thick layer of woody fibers. A solid shell surrounds the coconut pulp, the coconut pulp or kernel is whitish and contains a juice called coconut water. Coconut water is a sweet liquid that occupies three-quarters of the internal cavity.

There are mainly two large distinct groups of Coconut Palms: Dwarf Coconut Palms and Large Coconut Palms. Dwarf coconut palms measure less than 10 m. They grow quickly, are more fragile and give their first little coconuts after five years. Large coconut trees easily reach 25 m in height. They grow slowly and offer their first nuts around 7 to 10 years of cultivation. This second group represents 95% of the world's coconut grove. Dwarf x Grand crosses allow the agronomic advantages of these two groups to be combined. Thus, it is estimated that 15% of coconut palms planted over the last ten years are hybrid varieties.

The Coconut Palm grows on well-drained loamy, sandy and clayey soils. It requires a hot and humid climate. In good climatic conditions, a Coconut tree can produce 12 to 16 clusters of Coconuts per year. A cluster of coconuts contains around 10 nuts. Coconut cultivation is very important for tropical and subtropical regions, it is often called "the tree of life". This importance is particularly verifiable in India. India is the third largest producer of coconuts in the world behind Indonesia and the Philippines. In Indian culture, the coconut is described as a fruit of aspiration: it is frequently offered to the gods at the start of new projects. In Ayurvedic medicine, coconut oil, milk and juice have numerous medicinal properties: anti-hair loss, anti-burn, and fight against heart problems.

The Coconut Palm is a tree with multiple uses, from the tree to Coconut juice. Let's start with the tree, coconut palms are woven to make decorations for ceremonies or everyday objects. The false trunk of the Coconut tree is used for construction. We move on to the sap of the coconut flowers, after being heated it gives us the famous coconut sugar.

As for fruits, we make multiple variations. Coco fiber, called wadding, forms a very efficient thermal and acoustic insulator. It is used in the textile industry or to insulate houses. Coconut shell is used as a food container. The almond can be eaten raw or dried. When the latter is dried, it is called copra. Copra is used to make coconut oil, grated coconut, coconut flour, coconut chips and coconut milk (here, the coconut is grated then pressed). Finally, coconut water is a hydrating food product.