Desiccated coconut is coconut meat that is grated and dried. You can get it at most supermarkets and baking supplies shops, either in unsweetened and unsweetened form. Needless to say, the unsweetened type is much better for you because it is free of refined sugar that can ruin your health and waistline.
We all know that both coconut water and coconut meat are good for you because they are energy-giving plus they supply your body with healthy fats and a bunch of other vitamins and minerals. The same is true with desiccated coconut — it contains dietary fiber, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and vitamins B2, B6, C and E.
There are numerous Asian dishes that call for the addition of desiccated coconut, such as curries and stews that may be topped with it. Definitely, there are tons of baked treats that are made yummier and more eye-catching by the addition of desiccated coconut. You can also cover homemade truffles with it.
However, you don’t have t be a culinary guru or baking authority just to enjoy treats with desiccated coconut. You can have it added to just about anything. For instance, you may liberally sprinkle it on your yogurt, oatmeal or breakfast cereal. Do you love smoothies? Then go ahead and dump some desiccated coconut into that blender each time!
Certainly, desiccated coconut lasts much longer than fresh coconut meat. Without refrigeration, it can stay around for 4 to 6 long months. Of course stashing it in the fridge can make it stay fresh longer than that. So what are the other benefits of getting your hands on desiccated coconut other than the impressive shelf life?
It Makes Connective Tissues Strong and Healthy
Experts say that desiccated coconut is good for your connective tissues, which include your cartilages and ligaments. You can benefit from the inclusion of desiccated coconut in your diet as it can help keep connective tissues in good condition, thus allowing you to live a pain-free and productive everyday living.
It Promotes a Healthier Nervous System
There are healthy fats in desiccated coconut that are highly beneficial for your brain. That’s because they promote the normal production of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that the brain cells use for transporting messages to each another. B vitamins in desiccated coconut also help in keeping the nerves of the body healthy.
It May Help in Warding Off Alzheimer’s Disease
Desiccated coconut consumption may help lower your risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the future, say the experts. Again, it has something to do with those healthy fats in it. There are numerous studies being done on the benefits of coconut on the myelin, the protective covering of brain cells that get damaged, resulting in Alzheimer’s.
It Helps Keep Bad Cholesterol in Check
Scientists have long known that the consumption of good cholesterol can help lower bad cholesterol, the kind that can leave the arteries clogged. One excellent source of good cholesterol is desiccated coconut. Sprinkling some of it on your oatmeal and smoothie can help boost the bad cholesterol-lowering properties of those healthy treats.
It Can Keep You Regular
No one wants to have constipation as it can leave one feeling bloated, gassy and fatigued. A great way to keep your bowel movement regular is by including more fiber-rich foods in the diet. Desiccated coconut is an excellent source of fiber, so try to add it in your diet as regularly as possible to ward off constipation.
It Prevents Iron-Deficiency Anemia From Striking
One of the nutrients found in desiccated coconut is iron, a mineral so important for keeping the blood in an excellent state. That’s because it helps ward off iron-deficiency anemia, a condition wherein the blood is incapable of carrying enough oxygen, and can cause signs and symptoms like pale skin, fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath.
