The Joy of Coconut
By Jo Phillips
A brown hairy husk, fibrous concealing white meat inside. A large nut that tastes sweet yet has many added benefits and very few downsides. Flesh, oil and milk from this giver have become increasingly intertwined in our eating and healthy lifestyles. Find out more in The Joy of Coconut here.
This strange nut hangs high on sandy beaches and is so associated with sunshine, seashores and the holiday spirit. Its rough exterior, a protection to its bounty. Its meat, its oil and its milk.
Coconut meat is high in fat and calories while moderate in carbs and protein and is rich in several important minerals, especially manganese and copper. While manganese supports enzyme function and fat metabolism, copper assists bone formation and heart health. On top of that 80 grams of shredded coconut provides 7 grams of fibre that is insoluble, meaning that it doesn’t get digested. Instead, it works to move food through your digestive system and aids bowel health.
Coconut oil, may boost HDL good cholesterol and reduce LDL bad cholesterol. Improvements in these markers may reduce the risk of heart disease. What’s more, coconut oil may reduce the growth of harmful yeasts, such as Candida albicans, which can cause serious infections and studies have also shown it can stabilize blood sugar, improve immunity as well as benefit brain function. And that’s just for our insides
Coconuts have many uses in beauty products, starting with a natural remedy for removing makeup because it cleanses without stripping the skin of key ingredients, and promotes healthy skin with its antioxidant benefits and is also hydrating because of the vitamin C and thiamin contained in it. Use coconut oil as an extra moisturizing shaving balm or slather it onto elbows, heels and knees (where the skin is thicker) to soften. It’s also a perfect cuticle oil and keeps nails hydrated.
And then there is our hair. Coconut oil is super hydrating, as a conditioner or using it as a hair mask. Coconut supercharges hair care because of its amazing ability to penetrate the hair cuticle so enhances the penetration of all ingredients in a hair product, increasing the moisturising and conditioning results.
It has been reported that it reduces breakages in hair, nourishing the scalp and maintaining hair proteins leaves hair smooth, frizz-free and shiny.
So wher is a good one stop shop for a litle coconut love?
In 2005, childhood friends Mike Kirban and Ira Liran got chatting to two women from Brazil. When asked what they missed most about their country, they replied “agua de coco”, the most delicious and nutritious drink in the world. Intrigued, the guys did some research and found that the hype was in fact real. Two months later they hopped on a plane to Brazil with a plan to bring coconut water to the USA and so Coco Vita was born.
Coco Vita is a Certified B Corporation (businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose) with a wealth of coconut products.
Haircare wise find three products from its new repair range.
Coco Vita Coconut repair Shampoo protects and rebuilds damaged, brittle hair leaving it feeling silky soft. Full of antioxidants that help to prevent further damage to your hair.
The Vita Coco repair conditioner rebuilds, protects, softens, hydrates and it revitalises hair by supporting cell growth
Lastly, the Vita Coco Repair serum protects the hair from heat, daily damage and frizz. It helps repair hair and split ends and deeply hydrates to leave hair silky soft.
It’s also good to know that Vita Coco has the Vita Coco Project founded in 2014, to support the communities from where they source their coconuts. Coconut farming communities in remote parts of the world face many challenges including weak infrastructure, outdated farming practices, and a shortage of schools.
They have a Give, Grow, Guide philosophy, to help the coconut farmers increase their annual yield, diversify their crops, and grow sustainably.
They are also looking to the future to providing opportunities by investing in educational programs, like building new classrooms and awarding scholarships.
Vita Coco Haircare’s Repair Range works to support cell growth, repairing each strand for a smoother, stronger feel. The products contain 31% coconut, a higher concentration than any other haircare brand, meaning they’re rich in electrolytes for intense hydration.
Find out more here at VitaCoco.co.uk
If you enjoyed reading The Joy of Coconut then why not read Exiles and the Music Here
