CRACKING THE Coconut Craze
Coconut is having a major moment: From beverages to sweeteners and kitchen staples such as flour, milk and cold-pressed oils, rarely has a single ingredient transformed every aisle of the grocery store. Our love affair with this superfood has spilled over into body care, beauty products and household cleaners, too.
It’s easy to see why. As a versatile plant-based whole food that’s been enjoyed by humans for millennia, coconut sits smack-dab atrich in electrolytes, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids such as lauric acid. The latter is a medium-chain fatty acid with antimicrobial activity that converts to energy and other metabolites in the body (rather than fat), making it a useful aid in weight loss and maintenance. But don’t go overboard – the best approach is to enjoy it in moderation. Coconut oil, for example, packs in 120 calories per tablespoon.
