Have you seen the plastic packets of white desiccated coconut on supermarket shelves? Or probably you have seen them sprinkled over a sweet dessert. But do you know what else it is being used for? If you don’t, you’re not alone, because the majority of the people have no idea either.
Let’s get some factual insights on what desiccated coconut is and why you might decide to make it a regular choice in your health and fitness routine.
What is Desiccated Coconut?
“Desiccated” is most of the time assumed to be a part of processing and similar to shredding BUT it actually means “to dry out and remove all moisture” or a form of “dehydration”. Accordingly, Desiccated coconut is dried our and grated coconut flesh or “meat”, as it is known in the food and confectionary industry.
Desiccated coconut is made by grating the white, mature coconut flesh finely, before drying out in hot air at about 55°c.
It retains about 3% of the coconut’s moisture but is dry to the touch and taste and contains a fat percentage about 63%-68%.
The desiccated coconut you’ll find most often is finely grated but it can also be shredded, flaked or processed into granules or chips. Desiccated Coconut could be manufactured in following grades.
• Medium Grade (Hight Fat)
• Fine Grade (High & Low Fat)
• Chips / Flakes Grade (High Fat)
• Thread Grade (High Fat
Desiccated coconut is completely unsweetened and has nothing added to it, sometimes except for the occasional preservative to prolong shelf life. However, artificial sweeteners, flavourings or colours are added to it, which means it’s important to check the label.
Desiccated coconut is found frequently in Indian and South-East Asian cooking and cuisine but is commonly stirred into or used to ‘top’ a variety of desserts, cereals and baked goods in the UK and Europe.
However, more and more individuals are now including desiccated coconut into food and drink recipes, in order to enjoy its many health benefits
Is Desiccated Coconut Good for You? Let’s Take A Look At its Nutrition!
When included as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle, desiccated coconut is good for you. It does not only add flavor to your food and drinks, but it also provides a healthy dose of essential nutrients. It does contain a high percentage of fat, but there is a lot of goodness on coconut flesh. You wouldn’t like the whole coconut added into your daily diet,but adding desiccated coconut as a topping or texture to your already nutritionally well balanced diet makes sense.A sprinkle of desiccated coconut is healthier than having synthetic sweeteners or unhealthy snacks. This way, you can enjoy something sweet but nutritious over empty calories and damaging excess sugar.
Desiccated coconut is pure coconut flesh, and when it doesn’t have anything added to it, its nutritional values are approximately as follows for a 100g portion:
- 280 calories
- 3g of protein
- 10g of carbohydrates
- 27g of fats
- 5g of natural sugars
- 6g of fibre
- 60% of the adult RDI (recommended daily intake) of manganese
- 44% of the adult RDI of copper
- 15% of the adult RDI of selenium
- 13% of the adult RDI of phosphorous
- 11% of the adult RDI of iron
- 10% of the adult RDI of zinc
- 6% of the adult RDI of potassium.
The latter ingredients listed there are powerful and important minerals for the body.It is a rich source of manganese and copper. Just a small amount supplies a big dose, so you can reach your recommended daily intake of these minerals easily with a well-balanced diet without having to specifically seek out too many other sources of it.
4 Impressive Health Benefits of Desiccated Coconut
“Coconut” by the sounds of it, is assumed as a nut but, coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm plant – scientifically known as Cocos Nucifera
Being a fruit, coconuts are high in natural sugars. But some cultures consume considerably more coconut than Western ones, and when you understand the health benefits held within this delicious tropical fruit, you’ll be looking to eat more of it too!
1.It’s Packed with Dietary Fibre for Weight Loss
Dietary fibre is indigestible plant material, and so, is never properly digested by the body. When it mixes with fluid and passes through your stomach and intestines, fibre turns into a gel-like substance which sticks to the stomach lining.
2.Its High Iron Content Can Help to Prevent Anemia
You may not think of coconuts when you consider foods high in iron, but they’re a surprisingly good source of it. Iron is most commonly found in red meat, liver and beans.In order to avoid anemia, you should aim to eat a balanced diet, rich in iron and try to meet your RDI (Recommended Daily Intake). If you are lacking, adding desiccated coconut to food or drink is a convenient and easy way to boost your iron levels.
3.It’s an Amazing Osteoporosis & Arthritis Preventative
The fatty acids in coconut have been proven tohelp strengthen the bones and prevent the degradation of bones during clinical tests on animals. Indeed, the studies on the impact of coconut consumption and topical use on the weakened bones of osteoporosis sufferers have proven so positive, that coconut oilis now regularly used as a treatment for those with the condition!
4.It’s a Rich Source of Several Minerals which aren’t always the Easiest to Consume
Desiccated coconut is rich in both manganese and copper, which aren’t commonly found in high quantities in foods.Manganese is vital for bone health(specifically spinal health, but does benefit general bone health, too) as well as the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and cholesterol. It’s also been proven tolower the risk of diabetes, as those with the disease tend to have lower levels of manganese in their system. Similarly, it can lower the risk of seizures, as individuals suffering from these conditions tend to have lower levels than usual in their brain.
Conclusions
Coconuts are a delicious tropical fruit unlike any other and their uniqueness comes from their nutritional content, as well as their incredible and versatile taste and texture. There are several minerals found within coconut flesh (or meat, as it’s often known) which aren’t commonly found in many other foods. These important minerals, when teamed with the antioxidants and rich iron content within, make for a fantastic nutritional blend which has been proven to yield numerous health benefits.
If you have a coconut at home, be sure to use up any spare flesh by grating it and drying it out to make desiccated coconut: and you can negate food waste and have a tasty snack to spare!
Thank you for your time. Let me know your feedback. Special thanks goes to Lex and nutribuddy.com for the information.
As the leading exporter of Ceylon Desiccated Coconut for more than four decades, we are able to supply you with the best quality desiccated coconut in bulk. Do inquire if interested.
