Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) grows in tropical and subtropical regions and belongs to the family of Arecaceae subfamily Cocoideae.

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):

• 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

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.

The most relevant studies and their abstracts 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.