Wellness Wednesday: June 30
COCONUT
Summer is all about the tropical flavors and beach-themed vibes, so it’s only fitting that this week, we pay homage to one of our most tropical ingredients of all: coconut! Coconuts are used in a wide variety of forms from coconut shreds, water, nectar, milk, flour, meat, oil, and butter, and their intense taste offers flavor depth to any dish or snack.
Classifying coconuts can get confusing—it’s a fruit, nut, and a seed all in one! In technical terms, it’s considered a “fibrous, one-seeded drupe.” They are comprised of a green exocarp shell, and inside of this green shell is the brown and hairy mesocarp you’re probably used to seeing. Once cracked open, you’ll find a white, fleshy interior (or the coconut meat) holding a creamy liquid (or the coconut milk). Coconut palm trees are native to tropical environments, growing in places like Hawaii and Madagascar.
Though coconuts might have gotten a bad rap in the past for their high saturated fat content, coconut packs a solid nutritional profile. The saturated fat in coconut actually works to help raise the good cholesterol in your body, promoting heart health. Coconut also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, like magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium, which many diets might be lacking. Like bananas, coconut contains a good amount of potassium in just one serving, reducing sodium levels and balancing blood pressure.
One of the most unique properties in coconut is MCTs, or medium-chain triglycerides, found in the oil. MCT oil is easily digested by the body and helps to promote the growth of good gut bacteria, reducing inflammation, supporting normal digestion, and protecting against metabolic syndrome. These MCTs are also converted into ketones, breaking down fat and acting as an energy source. MCTs are also ideal for athletes and are often supplemented given their ability to provide a quick energy source and break down lactate build up.
Coconut not only makes for a tasty topping, but its ability to keep you satiated, give you energy, and keep your body strong means it’s an excellent addition to your diet. You can find coconut shreds atop our Sunshine, Sweet + Savory, and Pitaya bowls, and blended inside our The Island smoothie. You can also find coconut nectar in our Green Goddess smoothie, drizzled on our Monkey and Sweet + Savory bowls, and atop our Bananas Foster toast.