The tropical climate of Jamaica makes it ideal for a plethora of fruits to thrive on the island. These include fruits such as the guava, orange, mango and stinking toe, which can be found across the island.

Not only are these fruits quite tasty, but they also provide a number of health benefits. In Our Today‘s series where we explore the health benefits that Jamaica-found fruits are able to provide, we today focus on the coconut.

The coconut is the edible part of the Cocos nucifera. This is the edible part of the coconut tree. Although it has a hard-like exterior, and nut in it’s name, coconut is not only a nut but is also considered to a fruit.

It is said to have originated in Indo-Malaya. A popular crop in the tropics, the coconut is used to make the beloved coconut water, coconut milk which many locals use in their everyday cooking, ropes, brushes and brooms.

Health Benefits

Helps body absorb vitamins and provides energy

Coconut meat is high in fats. The saturated meat contains 89 per cent of fat which is used by the body to produce energy and absorb vitamins.

This nutrient, a source of essential fatty acids, is something the body cannot produce itself. Fat helps the body to absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, D and E.

Protects the body against diseases

Like many other fruits, the coconut is also rich in antioxidants, and is able to fight off free radicals such as heart disease and certain types of cancers.

Improve blood sugar

Unable to break down or absorb fibre, the body uses roughage to slow down the absorption of fats and sugars from food which in turn keeps the blood sugar level in check.

Helps with digestion

Fibre is extremely important in digestive health and has been likened to a scrub brush for the digestive tract.

It is able to bulk up stool and retain water in the body. Fibre can also help with constipation and diarrhoea.

Lowers blood pressure

The water found in coconut contains loads of potassium. This mineral not only helps to lower blood pressure, but it can also remove sodium extract from the body.

Large amounts of sodium can prove detrimental to heart health.