Coconut Health Benefits

Coconut health benefits

1/4 cup coconut (shredded, sweetened) contains:

137 cal;
.9 gm protein (incomplete);
9.8 gm fat;
13 gm carbohydrate;
4 mg calcium;
28 mg phosphorus;
.5 mg iron;
88 mg potassium;
.01 mg B-1;
.0075 mg B-2;
.1 mg niacin;
8.5 gm saturated fatty acids;
19 mg magnesium.

Coconut, especially the sweetened kind, is very high in calories, saturated fats, and carbohydrates, so it is not the best food for either weight or cholesterol watchers. However, there are also coconut health benefits that cannot be overlooked. It does have a fairly good amount of potassium, needed for the body’s enzyme reactions; phosphorus, necessary for the proper formation of teeth and bones; and sulphur, an aid to healthy skin, hair, and nails. Coconut must be well shredded or well chewed when eaten because it is difficult to digest; so it should be avoided by those with digestive disturbances.