Benefits of the coconut. Summer is one of the classic expressions that you may feel a bit anywhere on the numerous beaches of the peninsula, with no particular geographical, the only shades are quite colorful and curious ways in which it is announced. The white part that is served, usually cooled with water, is the flesh of the coconut, the fruit of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, literally "bearer of nuts", native of Indonesia, this plant is so popular natural, transported by ocean currents, across the Pacific thanks to the ability to maintain its long germination. Subsequently, the work of Spanish and Portuguese navigators began to be cultivated along the Atlantic coasts of Africa and South and Central America.
The coconut has been protagonist of ancient rituals surrounded by a halo of symbolism, especially in countries of origin, many legends consider this sacred fruit for the similarity in shape to the skull and so, in ancient times, was often offered as a sacrifice to the gods Instead of a human head. In India, however, has always been considered a food for the most important occasions, since ancient times, to give a coconut at a wedding is still considered very auspicious. In many tropical countries the coconut is considered the king of the plant and because of using the whole plant but also because it is a good source of protein and fat from almost 4000 years represents a fundamental element of the peoples of the South Seas Currently, the coconut palm has become the symbol of various countries in Asia, Africa and America such as India, Ceylon, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, Mozambique, Tanzania and Ghana.
There are many varieties (some dwarf habit) that differ in color, size and shape of the fruit. Generally, the classic coconut palm is a tree with large numbers: it can reach 40 meters in height, more than 100 years of life, its leaves are almost 6 feet long and the fruit can weigh up to 2 kilograms. The coconuts can be from five to ten per plant, fruits are spherical in shape with a fibrous shell and often even fifty centimeters below the shell there are roofs that are whitish pulp, white and very compact, in which There is a central cavity containing a milky-white liquid flavored almond, coconut milk: some islands is still used as a beverage alternative to milk for babies. Many, however, did not relish because it seems "dirty" it looks like a serum but, in reality, it is a sugary liquid, refreshing, vitamin and a powerful thirst quencher.
The coconut is rich in potassium, making it a perfect summer to replenish lost minerals. It also contains proteins and fats that make it highly nutritious: one ounce provides 360 calories well. This means it is suitable for frail and is not recommended for those who want to lose weight and who is to undergo a diet low in fat because the caloric content is given mainly by the presence of a significant amount of lipids.
Coconut milk is rich in sugars, minerals and vitamins, especially B and C, but also easy to assimilate protein, besides being a great drink, it is very useful for bones, teeth and to treat urinary problems, constipation, nervousness and general debility.
The coconut palm is a major source of income for producing countries, since many products are derived from it, the wood is very easy to work and therefore is used for furniture, handles of umbrellas or lodgings, the leaves are used as fibers for weaving hats, mats and roofs for their huts, and if the pulp is dried copra is obtained, containing about 63-70% oil, called coconut oil, which is used as a condiment in cooking and is considered the most important product extracted from the coconut. Its composition is particular in that they are present especially fatty acids, lauric and myristic essentially, while the content of unsaturated acids is exceptionally low. This oil is used in confectionery and for the production of margarine as a substitute for butter, or for the manufacture of detergents (such as the marine soap, soap suitable for washing with sea water) and cosmetic products such as shampoos, shaving creams and toothpastes and in some pharmaceutical products like suppositories.
The rind of the nut can not be consumed as food, but is used to make decorative objects and containers for drinking, it can also produce jewelry, eliminating the fibers to make visible the surface glossy and dark walnut, very hard, but lends itself well to be decorated with various techniques. Obviously, there are also many food products derived from coconut, the terminal buds of the plant are edible and a grown are called cabbage palm, with the sugar sap extracted from young inflorescences (thanks to the work of skilled gatherers, climbing the palm tree, practice recordings and place the containers for the collection) is obtained lozucchero palm, and after a natural fermentation process, you get an alcoholic drink known as palm wine, or "Toddy".
