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Health

13th Apr 2014

Food High Five – Five Reasons Coconut Is Good For You

This week, we're looking at the health benefits of coconut...

Rebecca McKnight

Every week, for our ‘Food High Five’ series, we’re going to talk about food that has great health benefits.

This week, we’re looking at coconut.

Coconut isn’t just handy for adding a bit of sweetness to your latest batch of muffins or drinking out of, it also has a number of health benefits.

Swap: Water For: Coconut water Why? Coconut water does have more calories than water but it's potassium-rich and can help you stay better hydrated. A great cure for a hangover...

1. Helps you lose weight

Coconut is said to increase your metabolic rate which can assist weight loss while coconut water contains very few calories which makes it a great addition to a healthy diet.

2. Protects against heart disease

Due to the medium chain fatty acids it contains, coconut protects against heart disease.

3. Fights infection

As with many foods, coconut has an antibacterial quality and contains antioxidants which help to prevent and fight off infections.

4. Aids recovery

If you have an injury, inflammation or muscular pain, coconut can help to ease it.

5. Keeps your system functioning

Coconut milk apparently helps to maintain your blood sugar levels. It is also full of fibre which is good for your digestive system.