The Healing Power Of Young Coconuts

A few years back, when I was just learning about raw food nutrition, I went to a raw food festival in Oregon. It was in a beautiful outdoor setting, next to a lake, and very appropriate for nature loving raw food enthusiasts.

Under the canopy of shade trees, I enjoyed listening to several top pioneers of the raw food movement speak on the benefits of raw nutrition. I also met an impressive man who had recently won the non-supplemented Mr. Universe contest as a raw vegan - at the age of almost 50, competing against men 1/2 his age! He certainly was and still is living proof that you can get enough protein on the raw vegetarian diet.

But of all the amazing people I met that weekend, there is one who really sticks out in my mind. She was working at a booth selling raw organic coconut oil from Mexico. During one of the sessions, while most people were listening to the speakers, I paused to sit with her and listen to her incredible story.

"A few years back," she said, "when I was in my middle 50s, I was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. My doctor gave me about 6 weeks to live. I was shocked, but instead of sitting at home waiting to die, I decided to fulfill a long time dream of visiting Mexico. So I packed some bags and headed to a remote beach in Baja.

Given the condition of my stomach, I wasnÕt able to eat any spicy Mexican foods. Even most fruits were out of the question. In fact, the only thing that really felt good to eat was young coconut water and young coconut flesh.

There were a lot of coconut palms on the beach where I was staying. So, thatÕs all I ate. After about 3 weeks I noticed I began to feel a bit better. And then when the dreaded 6 week deadline passed and I actually felt a whole lot better. I stayed in Mexico for another month, continuing the coco diet.

When I finally returned home the first thing I did was pay a visit to my doctor. I wish I had a picture of the total shock on his face when he saw me walk through the door. Not only was I alive, but I looked pretty good too. I was down 15 pounds and had radiant skin with a nice tan. After collecting himself, my doctor ran some tests and found that I was cancer free.

That inspired me so much that I decided to sell my things in the US and move to Mexico. Within a few weeks I had put a deposit down on a coconut farm in Mexico.Ó

The story of this very alive woman touched me and motivated me to do some research on the nutritional properties and benefits of young coconuts. I had often enjoyed them but had no idea how great they were for my health.

As it turns out, young coconut water and young coconut flesh is one of the most amazing foods we can eat. Here's why:

The water and flesh from young coconuts contains the full range of B vitamins, with the exception of B6 and B12. B vitamins are essential for providing us energy as they break down carbohydrates and proteins. They also support nervous system function and, interestingly, the muscle tone of the stomach.

Young coconut water is also high in minerals, particularly calcium (for bones), magnesium (for the heart) and potassium (for muscles).

An average young coconut provides 3 grams of dietary fiber which helps proper digestion and elimination.

Fresh coconut water is very high in electrolytes Ð much higher than most sports drinks. This makes it a great choice for athletes and children who exercise a lot.

Finally, the water of young coconuts is completely sterile and so close to the structure of human blood that it can be transfused directly. In fact, it was regularly used during WW II for wounded soldiers when blood plasma was low.

Where You Can Get Young Coconuts:

Coconuts grow only in tropical climates. If you live in a tropical climate, they'll be easy to find. Make sure to ask for young coconuts and not mature ones. Young coconuts are about 5 months old and have green hulls as pictured here.

If you don't live in a tropical climate you may be able to find coconuts in your local health food store. Usually they are from Thailand and are white in color - the green hulls have been removed for shipping. You can also try an Asian supermarket.

Don't confuse young coconuts with mature ones - these have dark brown shells and very thick flesh. The water from these coconuts doesn't taste good and has lost most of it's nutritional potency.
Also, if you buy young coconut water packaged in a box, make sure it's not been pasteurized. If it has, it's healing effect is greatly reduced.

Interesting Coconut Folklore

In Sanskrit the coconut tree (cocos nucifera) is called "kalpa vriksha," meaning "the tree which provides all the necessities of life."

In India, coconuts are symbols of fertility. When a woman wants to have a child, it's common for her to go to a priest to receive a blessing with coconuts.

A legend from the Phillipines holds that humans originated from two coconuts washed up by the sea onto a rocky shore.

Young coconut flesh is the first solid food for babies to eat in Thailand, traditionally fed to them by a Buddhist priest.

In traditional Balinese culture, women were forbidden to touch the coconut tree. Men feared that a woman's touch may drain the fertility of the coconut tree into her own fertility.

New Guinea natives believe that when the first man died on the island, a coconut tree sprouted directly from his head.