Coconut  (Cocos nucifera) is a tropical palm tree belonging to the Arecaceae family. It is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, primarily for its edible fruit. The coconut is an incredibly versatile plant: almost every part, from the fruit to the leaves, has applications in food, cosmetics, medicine, and industry. The fruit contains white flesh and a refreshing liquid known as coconut water.

Botanical Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Class: Monocots
• Order: Arecales
• Family: Arecaceae
• Genus: Cocos
• Species: Cocos nucifera

Plant Characteristics

• Height: Can grow up to 30 meters.
• Trunk: Slender, with a widened base and scars from fallen leaves.
• Leaves: Pinnate and can reach up to 6 meters in length.
• Flowers: Small, yellowish, clustered in large inflorescences.
• Fruit: A drupe with a fibrous outer husk and a hard shell containing coconut flesh and water.
• Habitat: Thrives in tropical climates with temperatures between 25°C and 30°C and well-drained soils.

Nutritional Facts (Per 100g, Fresh Coconut Flesh)

Coconut is rich in healthy fats, fiber, and essential minerals, but it should be consumed in moderation due to its high calorie and saturated fat content, although the structure of these fats is not as problematic (they are very different from those in lard, for example)

Chemical Composition

Coconut contains several bioactive compounds:

• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs): Boost metabolism and provide immediate energy.
• Phytosterols: Contribute to cardiovascular health.
• Polyphenols: Present in coconut oil, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Electrolytes: Coconut water is rich in potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

How to Cultivate Cocos nucifera

1. Climate:
   • Thrives in tropical climates with temperatures between 25°C and 30°C.
   • Does not tolerate frost.
2. Soil Requirements:
   • Prefers sandy, well-drained soils rich in organic matter.
3. Irrigation:
   • Requires ample water but must avoid waterlogging.
4. Sunlight Exposure:
   • Needs full sun for optimal growth.
5. Propagation:
   • Propagates via seeds (mature coconuts).
6. Harvesting:
   • Mature coconuts are ready in about 12 months, while young green coconuts can be harvested for coconut water after 6-7 months.

Uses and Benefits

Culinary Uses

• Coconut Flesh: Consumed fresh, dried, or shredded.
• Coconut Water: Rich in electrolytes, ideal for hydration.
• Coconut Milk: Used in Asian dishes and desserts.
• Coconut Oil: Used for cooking, cosmetics, and natural remedies.
• Coconut Flour: A gluten-free alternative for baking.

Health Benefits

• Instant Energy: MCTs boost metabolism and provide quick energy.
• Heart Health: Moderate consumption of saturated fats helps maintain balanced cholesterol levels.
• Digestion: Fiber content supports gut health.
• Hydration: Coconut water maintains electrolyte balance.
• Antimicrobial Properties: Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal effects.

Agricultural and Environmental Benefits

• Drought Resistance: Coconut palms require less water than other tropical crops.
• Sustainable Use: Every part of the plant has a purpose, minimizing waste.

Applications

• Food Industry:

  • Ingredient in sweets, beverages, and cooking oils.
  • Used to produce coconut butter and plant-based yogurt.

• Cosmetics & Skincare:

  • Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer for skin and hair.
  • Used in soaps, lotions, and lip balms.

• Natural Medicine:

  • Coconut oil is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antimicrobial properties.

• Industry & Crafts:

  • Coconut fibers are used to make mats, ropes, and mattresses.
  • The shell is used to produce activated charcoal and handicrafts.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Environmental Benefits

• Minimal Waste: Every part of the plant can be utilized.
• Growth in Marginal Soils: Can be cultivated in areas where other crops fail.

Safety

• Moderate Consumption: High saturated fat content requires balanced intake.
• Allergies: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to coconut.

Studies

There are two groups of coconut trees: tall and dwarf. The tall variety gives fruits between 6 and 10 years, while the dwarf variety between 4 and 5 years. The coconut is quite caloric, 354 calories in 10 grams of pulp.

Content (1):

• Ascorbic acid
• Caffeic acid
• Vitamin B3, nicotinic acid or niacin
• Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid
• Vitamin B7, biotin
• Vitamin B2, riboflavin
• Vitamin B9, folic acid
• traces of vitamin B1 thiamine
• traces of vitamin B6 pyridoxine
• selenium
• sugars
• L-Arginine
• Lauric acid
• Myristic acid
• Palmitic acid

The kernel contains about 70% oil that is used in cosmetics and nutrition.

What it is used for and where

Medical

The ethanol extract at 1.5% of the coconut husk has shown an antibacterial action against dental biofilm and can be used as an irrigation solution to overcome bacterial resistance with synthetic agents (2).

Some components of green dwarf coconut water, mainly caffeic acid and ascorbic acid, have demonstrated antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity and reduce DNA damage, thus reducing oxidative stress induced by ethanol metabolism in steatosis and alcoholic steatohepatitis (3).

Coconut water has been used as an intravenous solution in surgery (4).

This study believes that the fiber extract from the lemon peel acts, in certain amounts, on the central nervous system. The resulting anxiolytic and antidepressant effect is related by interaction with the serotonergic system (5).

Cosmetics

Coconut is used as a topical skin care treatment and for repairing the natural function of the skin barrier (6) due to the emollient and anti-infective properties of phenolic acids, vitamins and flavonoids. 

Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Safety

Coconut and its derived products were initially classified as unhealthy due to the significant presence of fatty acids believed to be saturated, but scientific research has recently shown that there are in fact medium-chain fatty acids (7). In particular, lauric acid, as a primary fatty acid behaves as a medium and long chain fatty acid (8).

The most relevant studies have been selected to explore this in more depth:

Coconut studies

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention.  DebMandal M, Mandal S.  Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Mar;4(3):241-7. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60078-3.

(2) Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility and cytotoxicity of husk extract of Cocos nucifera and chlorhexidine as irrigating solutions against Enterococcus Faecalis, Prevotella Intermedia and Porphyromonas Gingivalis - An in-vitro study.  Kohli D, Hugar SM, Bhat KG, Shah PP, Mundada MV, Badakar CM.  J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2018 Apr-Jun;36(2):142-150. doi: 10.4103/JISPPD.JISPPD_1176_17

(3) Reduction of the DNA damages, Hepatoprotective Effect and Antioxidant Potential of the Coconut Water, ascorbic and Caffeic Acids in Oxidative Stress Mediated by Ethanol.  Bispo VS, Dantas LS, Chaves AB Filho, Pinto IFD, Silva RPD, Otsuka FAM, Santos RB, Santos AC, Trindade DJ, Matos HR.  An Acad Bras Cienc. 2017 Apr-Jun;89(2):1095-1109. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160581.

(4) Intravenous coconut water therapy in surgical practice.  Olurin EO, Durowoju JE.  West Afr Med J Niger Med Dent Pract. 1972 Oct;21(5):124-31.

(5) Involvement of monoaminergic systems in anxiolytic and antidepressive activities of the standardized extract of Cocos nucifera L.  Lima EBC, de Sousa CNS, Meneses LN, E Silva Pereira YF, Matos NCB, de Freitas RB, Lima NBC, Patrocínio MCA, Leal LKAM, Viana GSB, Vasconcelos SMM.  J Nat Med. 2017 Jan;71(1):227-237. doi: 10.1007/s11418-016-1053-6.

(6) Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern Science. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018 Feb;19(1):103-117. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1. 

(7) Deen A, Visvanathan R, Wickramarachchi D, Marikkar N, Nammi S, Jayawardana BC, Liyanage R. Chemical composition and health benefits of coconut oil: an overview. J Sci Food Agric. 2021 Apr;101(6):2182-2193. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10870. 

(8) Wallace TC. Health Effects of Coconut Oil-A Narrative Review of Current Evidence. J Am Coll Nutr. 2019 Feb;38(2):97-107. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2018.1497562. Epub 2018 Nov 5. PMID: 30395784.

Abstract. Coconut oil is a mainstream edible oil that is extracted from the kernel of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm. The two main types of coconut oil-copra oil and virgin coconut oil-have similar fatty acid profiles; however the latter contains higher amounts of some nutrients (e.g., vitamin E) and dietary bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols). There is increasing popularity for coconut oil products due to perceived health effects of certain medium-chain fatty acids; however, lauric acid (C12:0), the primary fatty acid found in coconut oil, has been suggested to behave as both a medium- and long-chain fatty acid from a metabolic standpoint. Furthermore, research on pure medium-chain fatty acids cannot be directly applied to coconut oil products since it encompasses a large profile of various fatty acids. This narrative review seeks to summarize the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the health effects of coconut oil products. Limited but consistent evidence supports the topical use for prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis, as well as in "oil pulling" for prevention of dental caries. Coconut oil products may also be useful in preventing hair damage due to protein loss during grooming processes and ultraviolet (UV) exposure; however, more studies are needed to confirm this effect. Limited evidence does not support use for prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, bone loss, or glycemic control. Evidence on weight loss and cardiovascular disease warrants larger clinical intervention studies. Refined, bleached, and deodorized copra oil seems to have less of an impact on total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as compared to butter fat, but not cis unsaturated vegetable oils. In many instances, human clinical and observational studies are needed to confirm many claims on coconut oil products, which are largely based on animal and/or in vitro studies or studies of purified medium-chain fatty acids.