Have you heard: Today, September 2nd, is World Coconut Day and as beauty fanatics we are here for it.
If you own any amount of skincare, makeup or hair products, you know that coconut is undeniably a hero ingredient in the beauty industry, and for good reason.
For one, it smells amazing all on its own. It's also a natural antibacterial and it's one of the best things you can use to hydrate your skin. So really, it's no surprise that beauty brands far and wide have been incorporating it into everything from makeup to face mist to self-tanner.
In India, the Coconut Development Board celebrated the World Coconut Day at NEDFI Convention Centre, Guwahati, Assam. During the occasion, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi awards 15 people, who have exceeded in coconut farming, industry, and other coconut related activities. Assam is the next major coconut producing the state in India; the CDB decided to hold the national-level function on occasion there this year. About 33,493 hectares in all seven NE states are under coconut cultivation, Assam alone is cultivating 20,368 hectares.
Celebrating the World Coconut Day is simple and easy. Coconuts are members of the drupe family, and it is a fleshy fruit that has been planting in tropical regions for millions of years. A rich source of electrolytes and lauric acid, coconuts contain many antioxidants and antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. On this day, Entire globe celebrates one of nature’s healthiest foods. Post and share your World Coconut Day celebrations on the social media using the hashtag #WorldCoconutDay.
World Coconut Day is celebrated every year on September 2nd. This day is declared as World Coconut Day by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC). The headquarters of APCC is at Jakarta, Indonesia. World Coconut Day also coincides with APCC’S foundation day.
World Coconut Day Theme
The theme of World Coconut Day is Coconut for Family Nutrition, Health, and Wellness. World Coconut Day is celebrated mainly to create awareness about the importance of coconut. This year the celebrations of World Coconut Day will take place in Vijayawada.
The APCC is an inter-government organisation comprises of members belonging to 18 countries. This organisation is set up to promote, coordinate, and harmonise coconut development activities of the Asian Pacific region.
World Coconut Day- History, Significance
Coconuts have been planting in the tropical regions for millions of years. They are flesh fruit which belongs to drupe family. Indonesia, Philippines, India, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand and many others are some of the coconut producing countries in the world. In Indian culture, Nariyal or Copra is a sign of good luck and prosperity. None of the Hindu rituals can ever be complete without coconut. Every auspicious work begins with the breaking of the coconut.
Coconuts are the healthiest foods nature has given us. Mainly in summers, drinking coconut water helps to regain the energy needed because they are rich sources of electrolytes. Coconuts contain many anti-bacterial properties and are a hero ingredient in all beauty products. As of fact, coconut smells amazing and is also helps to hydrate your skin.
India’s west coast Daman and Diu and the states of Maharashtra celebrate coconut day at the end of Monsoon season. On this day, people gather at the sea or lake and throw coconuts in to the water. Some people also believe that coconut has three eyes as same as Lord Shiva has. So, that is the reason why people throw coconuts into the water. People go to temple and offer coconuts to Varuna, god of oceans.
COCONUTS - DAILY DEVOTION
When immersed in seawater, coconuts can survive for several months. Having dropped from the tree, they drift until they are planted or picked up. Not only does a coconut survive this way, it also survives society’s whims. In the 1960s, the coconut was shunned for its fat content. Now, especially with the ramped-up use of coconut water, it’s glamorized for its health benefits. Supposedly, about one hundred products can be made from the coconut; every bit of it can be used. So can we. By God Himself.
Like the coconut, we can drift for a while, but eventually we need to be planted and used. And the Lord can make and remake us over and over again to fit His purposes. Our minds, our hearts, our talents, our physical abilities, even our limitations—He can use them all—to make an impact on this world by bringing clean water to poor countries. God can use us as a friendly face behind a cash register. Or a trusted friend to a teenager. Or a loving home to a stray dog. Or a neighbor who is willing to collect the neighborhood recycling. Or an unexpected meal delivered to a shelter. Or wise counsel to keep an innocent man from going to prison. Or researching a cure for a deadly disease. Or the person who quietly works late to help another meet a deadline. None of these actions is insignificant when prompted by Him.
So, whether you’re in a grocery store or on a tropical beach, pick up a coconut and examine it. Consider the many wonders and possibilities contained within—the medicinal properties, the building and landscaping possibilities, even something deliciously fun, like fresh coconut cake. Coconuts are not as pretty or as colorful as, say, the strawberry or lemon, but when shed of its outer core, this hairy, brown fruit can impact millions of lives.
Think about your own talents and abilities and what you’d like to do with them. Then ask God to align your own desires to match His. Ask Him to use every bit of you to accomplish His work. It may be that you smile at strangers or that you reread that report for any overlooked errors, even though you’ve already read it a million times. Perhaps it’s an extra hug for your third child for reasons you cannot explain. Be open to change and flexible enough to be reused and reshaped. The steps may be small or large—but the impact may reverberate for generations.
Lord, I have been drifting in survival mode; I’m ready to be planted. If a single coconut can impact so many, what will You have me do? My heart, mind, and body long to be shaped according to Your purposes, and reshaped as often as needed. Grant me grace to accept if I am to impact only one. It will still make a difference to the life of that person, plant, or animal.
10 Impressive Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a "superfood."
Its benefits include weight loss, better brain function, skin health and many more.
1. Coconut Oil Contains Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties
Coconut oil has been demonized in the past because it contains saturated fat.
In fact, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat known to man, with almost 90% of the fatty acids in it being saturated
However, new data is showing that saturated fats are mostly harmless. Many studies with hundreds of thousands of people have found no link to heart disease
Additionally, coconut oil doesn't contain your average saturated fats, like the ones you would find in cheese or steak.
They contain Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) - which are fatty acids of a medium length.
Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.
They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source of energy or turned into so-called ketones, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's.
Coconut oil contains a lot of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently and can have therapeutic effects on several brain disorders.
2. Populations That Eat a Lot of Coconut Oil Are Healthy
Coconut is an exotic food in the Western world, primarily consumed by health conscious people.
However, in some parts of the world, coconut is a dietary staple that people have thrived on for many generations.
The best example of such a population is the Tokelauans, which live in the South Pacific.
They eat over 60% of their calories from coconuts and are the biggest consumers of saturated fat in the world.
These people are in great health, with no evidence of heart disease
Another example of a population that eats a lot of coconut and remains in excellent health is the Kitavans
Plenty of populations around the world have thrived for multiple generations eating massive amounts of coconut fat.
3. Coconut Oil Can Help You Burn More Fat
Obesity is currently one of the biggest health problems in the world.
While some people think obesity is only a matter of calories, others (myself included) believe that the sources of those calories are important too.
It is a fact that different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways. In this regard, a calorie is not a calorie.
The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil can increase how many calories you burn compared to the same amount of other fats,
One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totalling about 120 calories per day.
The medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil have been shown to increase calories burned over 24 hours by as much as 5%, potentially leading to significant weight loss over the long term.
4. Coconut Oil Can Kill Harmful Microorganisms
Almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil is the 12-carbon Lauric Acid.
When lauric acid is digested, it forms a substance called monolaurin.
Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
For example, these substances have been shown to kill the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus (a very dangerous pathogen) and the yeast Candida Albicans, a common source of yeast infections in humans.
The fatty acids and breakdown products in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens, potentially helping to prevent infections.
5. Coconut Oil Can Reduce Your Hunger, Helping You Eat Less
One interesting feature of coconut oil is that it can reduce your hunger.
This may be related to the way the fatty acids in it are metabolized, because ketones can have an appetite reducing effect.
In one study, varying amounts of medium and long chain triglycerides were fed to 6 healthy men.
The men eating the most MCTs ate 256 fewer calories per day, on average.
Another study in 14 healthy men discovered that those who ate the most MCTs at breakfast ate fewer calories at lunch.
These studies were small and only done for a short period of time. If this effect were to persist over the long term, it could have a dramatic influence on body weight over a period of several years.
The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may positively affect body weight over the long term.
6. The Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil Are Turned into Ketones, Which Can Reduce Seizures
A so-called ketogenic (very low carb, very high fat) diet is currently being studied to treat various disorders.
The best known therapeutic application of this diet is treating drug-resistant epilepsy in children.
This diet involves eating very little carbohydrates and large amounts of fat, leading to greatly increased concentrations of ketones in the blood.
For some reason, this diet can dramatically reduce the rate of seizures in epileptic children, even those who haven't had success with multiple different types of drugs.
Because the MCTs in coconut oil get shipped to the liver and turned into ketones, they are often used in epileptic patients to induce ketosis while allowing for a bit more carbs in the diet.
The MCTs in coconut oil can increase blood concentration of ketone bodies, which can help reduce seizures in epileptic children.
7. Coconut Oil Can Improve Blood Cholesterol Levels
Coconut oil contains healthy saturated fats.
The saturated fats in coconut oil may increase "good" HDL cholesterol in your body, but also help convert the "bad" LDL cholesterol into a less harmful form.
Coconut oil may also improve other risk factors and therefore protect against heart disease.
In one study in 40 women, coconut oil reduced Total and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL compared to soybean oil.
There are also rat studies showing that coconut oil reduces triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL and improves blood coagulation factors and antioxidant status.
Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.
8. Coconut Oil Can Protect Hair Against Damage, Moisturize Skin and Function as Sunscreen
Coconut oil can serve various purposes that have nothing to do with eating it.
Many people are using it for cosmetic purposes and to improve the health and appearance of their skin and hair.
Studies on individuals with dry skin show that coconut oil can improve the moisture and fat content of the skin.
Coconut oil can also be very protective against hair damage and one study shows effectiveness as sunscreen, blocking about 20% of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Another application is using it like mouthwash in a process called oil pulling, which can kill some of the harmful bacteria in the mouth, improve dental health and reduce bad breath.
Coconut oil can be applied topically as well, studies showing it to be effective as a skin moisturizer and protecting against hair damage. It can also be used as a mild form of sunscreen and as mouthwash.
9. The Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil Can Boost Brain Function in Alzheimer's Patients
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia worldwide and occurs primarily in elderly individuals.
In Alzheimer's patients, there appears to be a reduced ability to use carbs for energy in certain parts of the brain.
Researchers have speculated that ketones can provide an alternative energy source for these malfunctioning brain cells and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's.
In one 2006 study, consumption of medium chain triglycerides led to immediate improvement in brain function in patients with milder forms of Alzheimer's.
Other studies support these findings and medium chain triglycerides are being intensively studied as potential therapeutic agents in Alzheimer's disease.
Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketones, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients and relieving symptoms.
10. Coconut Oil Can Help You Lose Fat, Especially The Harmful Abdominal Fat
Given that coconut oil can reduce appetite and increase fat burning, it makes sense that it can also help you lose weight.
Coconut oil appears to be especially effective at reducing belly fat, which lodges in the abdominal cavity and around organs.
This is the most dangerous fat of all and is highly associated with many chronic diseases.
Waist circumference is easily measured and is a great marker for the amount of fat in the abdominal cavity.
In a study in 40 women with abdominal obesity, supplementing with 30 mL (2 tablespoons) of coconut oil per day led to a significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference in a period of 12 weeks.
Another study in 20 obese males noted a reduction in waist circumference of 2.86 cm (1.1 inches) after 4 weeks of 30 mL (2 tablespoons) of coconut oil per day.
This number may not seem too impressive on the surface, but be aware that these people aren't adding exercise or restricting calories. They're losing significant amounts of belly fat simply by adding coconut oil to their diet.
Botanically speaking, a coconut is a fibrous one-seeded drupe, also known as a dry drupe. However, when using loose definitions, the coconut can be all three: a fruit, a nut, and a seed. Botanists love classification.
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