Nothing says summer quite like the sweet taste of coconut. Just one whiff conjures up visions of white sands, clear turquoise water, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Maybe it’s the inescapable association with suntan oil, its prominent place in piña coladas, or just its tropical origin. Either way, coconuts practically scream relaxation, happiness, and sweet indulgence!

But luckily for all the coconut-lovers out there, recent research suggests that this tropical treat may not be such an indulgence after all.

Health Benefits:

Coconut has been used in traditional cultures for thousands of years, both as an important source of nutrition and to treat a variety of diseases and health problems. Only recently has modern medicine begun to confirm coconut’s amazing health-promoting properties. Coconut oil and coconut water have been found to have some of the following benefits:

• Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties
• Anti-cancer properties
• Cardiovascular health benefits
• Helps treat and manage diabetes
• Improves digestion, nutrient absorption and intestinal health
• Helps ward off or manage varios neurological disorders
• Helps manage HIV/AIDS
• Improves kidney and liver health
• Benefits metabolism, energy and weight management
• Supports the immune system
• Improves athletic performance

Fats, Decoded:

If coconut has all these health benefits, why was it regarded as unhealthy for so many years? Two words: saturated fat. Well that, and a lot of misunderstanding about how the body digests and processes different types of fats. A quick primer:

Coconut contains a lot of fat, and nearly all of it is saturated. In fact, coconut oil is about 92 percent saturated fat! But the fatty acids in coconut oil are primarily medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are more easily metabolized by the body than the long-chain triglycerides found in most vegetable and seed oils.

Preliminary research suggests that MCTs may help stoke your metabolism, thereby promoting weight loss, and even increasing HDL or “good” cholesterol levels in the body.

For more information about the health benefits of coconut, check out this extensive list of studies compiled by the Coconut Research Center, as well a handful of other studies described by prominent physician and author Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Tips:

Not long ago, the only readily available coconut products were canned coconut milk and that sweetened, shredded stuff in the baking aisle. But it’s now easier than ever to incorporate more coconut in your diet! Here’s a quick overview of several of the products that have recently hit store shelves, as well as a couple that have been around, but remain useful:

1. Coconut Water – Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside whole green coconuts. With its high potassium content and natural sugars, it is increasingly being promoted as a great sports drink alternative.
2. Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is the edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts. A heat-stable fat, coconut oil works well for cooking, but it’s also great in raw desserts!
3. Coconut Milk (canned) – Coconut milk is the liquid extracted from grated coconut meat. It is often used in sauces, stir-fries and baked goods.
4. Coconut Milk (refrigerated) – A relative newcomer, coconut milk is now available in the dairy case as an alternative to cow’s milk, soy milk or other nut- and seed-based milks. Lower in fat and calories than the canned version, refrigerated coconut milk is amazing in smoothies, on cereal, or used in baking.
5. Coconut Kefir – another relative newcomer, coconut kefir is an excellent alternative to dairy- or yogurt-based kefirs. Most commercially available versions are rich in probiotics and fortified with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B12. Kefir is delicious alone and adds a great flavor and creaminess to smoothies.
6. Coconut Milk Ice Cream – There are now several commercially available brands (and many more flavors!) of coconut milk ice cream. With an excellent, creamy texture, and a rich flavor, this non-dairy ice cream is a nice alternative to milk, rice-, or soy-based desserts.
7. Whole Coconut – Whole coconuts are available in the produce section of most health food stores, and you may even find them in larger chain stores. A bit of work is required to split it open and extract the various components, but that fresh coconut juice and coconut meat just might be worth the effort!
8. Shredded Coconut – Dried, shredded coconut is widely available and quite useful. It makes a great addition to bars, breads, cookies and puddings. Look for it in the bulk section of your health food store, or in the baking aisle of any major grocer.

Recipes:

Hungry for even more coconut? Check out our amazing collection of coconut-inspired recipes!

Smoothies, Yogurts and “Butters”

1. Coconut Ginger Smoothie
2. Cranberry Coconut Smoothie
3. Raw Coconut Yogurt
4. Blueberry-Vanilla Coconut Butter

Pies and Puddings

1. Raw Coconut Pie
2. Coconut Lime Cream Pie
3. Coconut Macadamia Blondie Pie
4. Lime and Coconut Panna Cotta

Cookies, Cakes and Bars

1. Samoa-Like Coconut Oatmeal Cookie
2. Coconut Oatmeal Cookies with Coconut Glaze
3. Gluten Free Coconut Lime Loaf
4. Grapefruit Coconut Bread with Cocoa Hazelnut Frosting
5. Banana Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
6. Lemon-Coconut Breakfast Bars
7. Healthy Oat Squares with Coconut and Dates

Got an amazing coconut recipe? Share it with us!

Image Credit: spartanjoe/Flickr