Health Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy

Coconut water is a refreshing drink, which helps in keeping the body hydrated and refreshed. You can enjoy this cool drink, especially in summer. There are many benefits associated with this natural tropical drink. It is consumed all over the world and can either be used directly or mixed with other drinks. It is packed with nutrients and has similar electrolytic balance as the blood.

During pregnancy, it is important for a woman to include healthy and nutritious food and drinks in her daily diet. Coconut water during pregnancy helps in maintaining the health of both mother and child. 

Coconut Water in Pregnancy - What are the benefits:

- Coconut water has zero cholesterol and is a fat free beverage. Moreover, it increases the level good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. Also, it helps in controlling the level of cholesterol during pregnancy.

- Normally, a pregnant woman experiences dehydration and exhaustion. This can be replenished with the help of this refreshing drink.

- This tropical drink is rich in potassium, sugar, magnesium and protein. These ingredients help in the growth of the unborn baby in the mother`s womb.

- It helps in maintaining a fit and healthy body during pregnancy.

- This natural drink is rich in vitamin C and essential proteins, which accelerates the blood circulation in the mother.

- It helps in treating constipation. During pregnancy many women suffer from digestive problems. Coconut water helps in cleaning the system.

- This drink is free from cholesterol and fat content. Daily consumption of coconut water helps in fat control.

- The lauric acid, which contains anti bacterial ingredients helps in enhancing the immune system and keeps the body safe by fighting diseases.

- Regular drinking of coconut water prevents kidney stone formation. It is important for a pregnant woman to avoid such problems. Hence, she must consume a glass of coconut water every morning.

Coconut is a tropical fruit, which is often advised to be consumed on an empty stomach. Try and drink from the young unripe fruit as it boosts the immune system. This water is rich in vitamins and nutrients, which help in improving health. The juice is natural and does not contain any chemicals. Hence, it is very good for kids. 

Consume this drink on an empty stomach daily and get the following health benefits:

- Helps in improving metabolism and detoxifies the body.
- Regular consumption helps in improving the complexion.
- The fruit contains a compound known as monolaurin, which works as an antiviral monoglyceride and has the ability to kill a variety of viruses and bacteria in the body.
- It is also consumed as a natural sports drink. 

- It has high potassium content. So, regular consumption of coconut water during pregnancy reduces the chances of hypertension.
- Improves digestive system.
- Helps in weight loss.
- Helps in balancing the body pH.
- Reduces fatigue feeling.
- Control diabetes.
- Cures stomach problem, reduces pain and cures nausea or vomiting tendency. 

This natural water has long been hailed for its medicinal value. For years people are consuming this drink directly from the fruit. In tropical countries, people usually consume the drink during outdoor work. This will not only reduce the chances of dehydration in the hot summer afternoon, but also gives instant energy and refreshes the body.

Today, you will find that many beverage companies have introduced packaged coconut water, which can be easily carried and consumed throughout the year. You need not wait for the season, as you can get the packaged coconut water in the store. Having coconut water during pregnancy offers immense benefit to both mother and child.

- www.coconut-info.net

Knowing About Coconut Water Nutrition

The juice that is extracted from the interior, also known as the endosperm of a young coconut, is known as coconut water. This water is considered as one the most refreshing drinks, and in fact, it is widely known for health benefiting properties, along with the nutrition value. 

Coconut water nutrition is quite magnificent, which is why it is quite important to discuss this. In fact, the tender, health, green and undamaged coconut contains this kind of liquid, which is quite sweet, and sterile. In fact, it is made up of different unique chemicals, which includes minerals, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, electrolytes, pyhto-hormones, and amino acids. These kinds of coconuts tend to be harvested to be able to extract the water when they are 5-7 months of age. Each nut tends to contain around 200 to 1000 ml of water, which largely depends upon the cultivator size and the type. Those coconuts, which are harvested before 5 months would have a bitter taste, and it would not contain any nutrients.

Many people have made the nutritional value of coconut water quite popular these days, although this refreshing and energetic drink has been used widely. However, why should one consume this particular drink, and not any other drink?

Coconut Water Nutrition

It is important to understand that this water is highly rich in electrolytes, which are quite essential. They are simply those ions, which are electrically charged, which means that they aid the cells in the maintenance and transmission of voltages and impulses to other cells, and from other cells. Therefore, they have a huge role to play, especially for the proper functioning of heart, nerves, as well as muscles. The different kinds of electrolytes, includes potassium, bicarbonate, sodium, chloride, calcium, Phosphate and many others. However, coconut water has around 600 mg of potassium, which is quite perfect for your daily intake.

Furthermore, the water also contains magnesium, calcium and sodium. Additionally, whenever people get sick, they tend to lose many fluids, which make them lose significant amount of electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium. Therefore, to replenish your body, you can drink this water, so that your body is supplied with the right kind of nutrition that it needs.

One another good thing about this drink is the fact that it is highly nutritional, but contains zero additives. Therefore, one cannot say that about many other drinks, which sets this particular type of water quite different from others available in the market. Furthermore, it is worth remembering that this water contains virtually no cholesterol, so there is no fat, or trans-fat. In fact, it increases the level of good cholesterol, and decreases the level of bad cholesterol, which is overall extremely beneficial for your heart. One other added advantage is the fact that it constitutes of natural sugar, which is around 6 g of sugar per serving. The sugar is all natural fruit sugar, and not refined sugar, so this is also high in nutrition.

In fact, it contains a wide variety of different vitamins, which are important for increasing the rate of metabolism, boosting the immunity level, as well as the maintenance of your healthy cellular function. Furthermore, you would find Vitamin C, which actually boosts immunity.

Each serving can actually supply up to 10 percent of your daily need. Furthermore, It also has B vitamins, which includes Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1), B6 and Folate (B9). These are quite beneficial in boosting the metabolism rate, since they breakdown foods, and create energy for your body. In fact, it also helps in the creation of neurotransmitters, as well as in the promotion of metabolism. Amino acids are also build up, which are necessary to build protein, which is again extremely important for the body. Healthy circulatory and nervous system is also maintained. Brain Development and mental function, in fetuses is especially encouraged through Thiamin.

Therefore, the advantages when it comes to nutritional value are immense, and definitely drinking of this water should be encouraged.

- www.coconut-info.net

Coconut Water Benefits and Facts

Young, green and undamaged coconuts contain a clear liquid substance in the interiors of the drupe. This liquid is called coconut water. Coconut water is one of the most useful, refreshing and popular drinks all over the world. It is consumed by millions of people since there is a great number of health benefits of coconut water.

There is less water in mature coconuts than it is in the young green ones. One coconut usually gives 300 g (11 oz) of water.

Coconut water is widely known for its powerful health benefits and healing properties. It is enriched with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, natural sugars and other nutritious substances. It contains low levels of fat and calories, which is good for those, who are trying to lose weight. If you are struggling with weight problems, coconut water is a perfect drink that can keep you from getting fat. It is also rich in the lauric acid, chloride and iron, as well as in potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc. 

The potassium level is even higher than it is in four bananas. Including coconut water into your diet can be helpful in decreasing the sodium level. A large amount of electrolytes contributes to our immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems. It also aids to keep our internal fluids of the body in balance and is instrumental in normal assimilation of the fluids and replacing the fluid and salts lost from the body during strenuous physical activity.

Coconut water has shown to have strong antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant effects, which may be helpful fighting off various infections and diseases. Coconut water favors the stabilization of blood pressure, the level blood sugar, along with the cholesterol level. It revives our virility and vitality of the body, replenishes it with energy and boosts up metabolic processes in the organism. 

Coconut water has also shown to be efficacious in treating a wide range of ailments, which include digestive and bowel issues like constipation, indigestion, dysentery, diarrhea; problems of urinary tract such as kidneys` malfunctioning, urethal stone; colds, sore throats, rhinitis. Coconut water is also instrumental in skin treatment, reducing age spots, smoothing out wrinkles, moistening the skin.

Various research have shown the abundance of citokinins (hormones that promote cell division and slow down ageing in plants) in coconut water. Along with the lauric acid they retard the ageing of skin cells, keep hydrogen ion exponent in balance. The tissues in the body stay hydrated for a long period of time. Regularly making an application of coconut water right on to an affected area of the skin may contribute to reducing spots, acne, wrinkles and even eczema.

Coconut water is a perfect drink for those who go in for sports. It contains less sugar than it is in sports drinks, and even more less sugar than it is in various soda and juices. Many sportsmen and athletes around the world claim that coconut water is one of the best energy drinks. They say they would rather prefer coconut water than any other sports drink. According to them, coconut water rapidly restores their energy levels, despite the low levels of calories, and rehydrates their body.

Consuming one cup of coconut water two times a day during digestive issues, high temperatures and after physical activity can help keep the body hydrated.

People with cardiovascular issues should definitely include coconut water in the diet, as it contains high concentrations of potassium and lauric acid, which stabilizes blood pressure. Coconut water has also proved to increase the levels of good cholesterol, which is a key factor for containing cardiovascular problems.

- www.coconut-info.net

Coconut Water - Knowing It`s Useful Properties

Coconut water is the pellucid liquid substance the young, green coconut fruit contain inside of them. Ripe fruits contain way less liquid substance than immature coconuts. The coconut liquid should not be confused with the coconut milk - the white liquid obtained from the grated coconut flesh, called the coconut meat. At its nuclear stage of development, the water functions as a suspension for the endosperm of the coconut. During further growing, at the cellular stage, there occurs the development of the endosperm.

The sugar, vitamin and minerals, proteins and antioxidants content makes the fruit water one of the most useful drinks which favors lots of health benefits. The fresh bottled coconut water available in many tropical areas and countries like India, Africa, South America has been long enjoyed by a lot of people as an alternative to different beverages like sodas, various juices, smoothies etc. 

This refreshing, replenishing drink is now getting highly popular among sportsmen. Many of them prefer this coconut liquid to other sports drinks. They claim that it restores their energy and powers, revives the vigor of the body better than any drink they have ever consumed.

The water also possesses low calories content, contains a high level of potassium (more than it is in four bananas). The cytokinins content is instrumental in cell growth and division. The substance provides an electrolyte balance, replacing the fluid and salts lost from the body during, say, strenuous training.

The coconuts are usually picked from the palm tree when they are young and green. To collect the water it is necessary to drill a hole in the shell of the fruit and then let it drain out into a jug or any other vessel. Coconuts fallen off from the tree are prone to decaying and no longer can be used in food.

Coconuts for drinking can be found sold in many places.

Mainly these fruits are the Asian coconuts. First, it is necessary to get rid of the green shell. The rest should be packed in plastic.

There are lots of street vendors selling fresh coconut fruits. Often to assure the customers that the water is fresh, the green husk of the fruit is removed by a vendor right on the spot. You can also find the water packed in cans, bottles and some other packages. The water of the coconut tastes sweet and nutty.

Consuming coconut water and including it into the diet can help reduce the sodium level and increase that of the potassium. It is a great source of nutritious properties. The substance can serve as a hangover remedy. The liquid is also a perfect means of hydrating the organism. For that matter, this water is a good thirst quencher. 

Though some sources state that if you want to stay hydrated, you have to drink large amounts of the coconut liquid and only in this case the consumption of this liquid will be effective. Despite of the low calories content, however, you should be careful. You should in no way abuse it since consuming it several times a day, the calories would deposit and you would gain weight. The nutritionists recommend to drink it moderately.

Even though the health benefit of the coconut water is obvious, all the fuss over its properties is rather disputable.

The marketing campaign is somewhat overacting toward its healing properties.

The water is presented in a favorable light making it a universal cure in the customers` eyes. Some aspects of the water qualities like the ability to reduce nausea and help prevent kidney failure should still be studied.

- www.coconut-info.net

Coconut Butter - What is It?

Many people, who have been on a vegan diet, may be familiar with coconut butter. There are certain people, who believe that consuming products from animals is wrong and against humanity, which means that they find other alternative ways of getting the kind of nutrition that their body needs. Coconut butter is perhaps one of those divine indulgences, which does not only taste good, but is also quite healthy. This butter is just like almond butter or even peanut butter. For those people, who do not know about coconut butter, it is simply a product derived from the meat of a coconut, which is known as the copra. People often confuse between coconut butter and oil, because the oil once it hardens can have a butter-like consistency. However, these are different products. This kind of butter has a wide range of health benefits, and in fact it is also used as a cosmetic product. 

Manufacturing Process

This kind of butter is made from crushing or blending small pieces of copra, which is dried. This is done until they form a creamy paste. In fact, this process can be done at home or even on an industrial scale. Although the butter made at home would be grainier, because of the difference in the equipment, it would still have the original qualities.

Do not ever refrigerate this kind of butter, and it will actually last for around two to three years. Furthermore, once it is stored, the oil would come on the top, so always stir it before use.

Benefits

The best part about coconut butter is that it has numerous health benefits. In general, coconut itself has many health benefits. Nevertheless, when it comes to unprocessed raw butter, there will be more benefits. This kind of butter contains lauric acid, which is antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial. In fact, it reduces yeast formation in the body, because of its antifungal property. Furthermore, it has medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These are fatty acid compounds, which are able to burn the fat in the body. This greatly helps with weight loss. 

Additionally, this butter is extremely easy for humans to digest, because it does not have to be broken down by the stomach before being absorbed. In fact, vegans and vegetarians would absolutely love this kind of butter, because it has no animal component in it.

Uses

This butter has numerous benefits, as mentioned above and it can be used for both cooking, as well as for cosmetic purposes. Dishes that require coconut oil or milk can use this butter. Furthermore, it can be spread over toast or break, so it would be good to eat. However, you can warm it before spreading it. Sometimes, people tend to mix it with vanilla to give it a good flavor. Those baking items, which use dairy-based butter can actually substitute it with this butter, as well. 

However, remember that it will tend to make bake goods a bit dry, which is why it should always be supplemented with oil or even a fruit puree. It can be used as a thickener or a base in a variety of raw deserts, such as pies, cakes, icing, frosting, pudding and ice creams. Furthermore, mix it in smoothies, or beverages and even elixirs!

In cosmetics, you can always use this butter as a good moisturizer because of its high fat content. The best homemade lotion that you can possibly have. In fact, you can also use it as a shampoo. However, make sure that you cleanse your hair thoroughly.

With such amazing uses and benefits, this butter should definitely be integrated into one`s lifestyle.

- www.coconut-info.net

Knowing Everything About Coconut Benefits

You would be amazed at the numerous benefits that coconuts are able to provide through their different forms. Whether you want better skin care or hair care, or even to maintain your cholesterol levels, this fruit is there to help you with all. Furthermore, they have been found to help with stress relief, weight loss, better immunity, improving kidney problems, helping with metabolism, diabetes, HIV, cancer, bone strength, high blood pressure, along with heart problems. These numerous health benefits are promoted because of the composition of a coconut, which includes capric acid, caprylic acid, as well as lauric acid.

Coconut Benefits 
Hair Care: Coconut oil has been regarded as the best natural nutrition, when it comes to hair care, because it helps in hair growth, as well as gives them a shiny texture. Protein loss is reduced, which leads to undamaged hair. It has served as an excellent conditioner, and it nourishes damaged hair. Furthermore, it also provides better protection from damage, which may be caused by hygral fatigue. It also helps in removing dandruff, because if proper scalp massages are done, then coconut oil also ensures that scalp remains free of dandruff. 

Skin Care: It is the perfect massage oil for the skin, so it will help with dry skin. It also helps with the aging and flaking of skin. It also prevents aging, which includes the prevention of sagging, and wrinkles. It is also used widely to deal with certain skin problems such as dermatitis, and eczema.


Heart Problems: you would also be pleased to find out that contrary to popular belief that coconut may be bad for the health because of high amount of saturated fat, it also helps in good cholesterol. In fact, it also decreases the prevalence of injury that may occur in arteries, so it will be helpful for you in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Weight Maintenance: The best part that many diet conscious people like about coconut is the fact that it contains short and medium-chain fatty acids, which actually help in decreasing the excessive fat. Furthermore, it is easy for people to digest it. They are able to increase the metabolism rate, through the removal of stress on pancreases. In fact, they are able to burn more energy for people who are overweight or obese.

Digestion: Many people have also remarked that coconut cooking oil may actually help in the digestive system, and may solve various digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, saturated fats tend to have anti microbial properties, which can actually help with the various fungi, parasites, and bacteria, which actually cause indigestion. Absorption of nutrients, such as amino acids, minerals and vitamins is also decreased through this.

Boosting Immune System: One other advantage is the fact that because of the presence of lauric, capric and caprylic acids, which provides the coconut with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, the immune system actually improves. In fact, it has been reported that it helps deal with bacteria and viruses, which cause diseases, such as influenza, herpes and even HIV.

Prevention of Infections: Again because of the presence of acids, and its properties, it is able to help in the healing process. Furthermore, when it is applied on infections, it forms a protective layer on the infection, which prevents the catching of dust, bacteria, virus and fungi on the body.
With such multiple advantages that this is able to provide, it is important to understand that you should go for this fruit, because it will help you with so many diseases. Eat such nutritious food and become healthier, and provide your body with the right kind of nutrients.

- www.coconut-info.net

Coconut Sugar and its Benefits!

Known widely as "coco sugar", as well as "coco sap sugar" and "coconut palm sugar", this type of sweetener has gained much acclaim in the contemporary world. There are many reasons for that, because it has produced health benefits to individuals. Furthermore, it is a natural form of sugar. Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the flower buds of coconut palm trees. The flower buds are cut. This type of sugar has widely been popular in South Asia, as well as South East Asia, since these are the areas where coconut palm is actually abundant in supply. In Indonesia, and Philippines, the coconut supply is abundant. 

One thing that you need to remember is the fact that palm sugar is different from this type of sugar. Palm sugar tends to be made from the sap in the stems of sugar date palm, sugar palm, sago palm and the Palmyra palm. Therefore, you need to know the difference.

Benefits


Taste
Many people claim that this type of sugar is quite good in taste, and it tastes like brown sugar, but it has a tint of caramel. It is subtly sweet. However, remember that coconut palm sugar is not highly processed, so the sweetness, flavor and color are different, depending on a variety of different factors. The taste and flavor will depend upon the species of coconut used, the season for its harvesting, and the actual way it was harvested.

Remember that coconut sugar has been classified as a low glycemic index food. People consider it to be healthier than brown sugar, as well as white sugar. In fact, it has been widely used as a sugar substitute in a variety of drinks, including cooking, baking, tea and coffee.

Many people now use this as a substitute because of the wide variety of benefits that it has. It has a high mineral content, which means that it is rich in magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium. Furthermore, it also contains different vitamins, including B1, B2, B3 and V6. Especially, when compared to brown sugar, it has around four times the magnesium, 10 times the zinc, as well as around 36 times the iron! This means that you are getting numerous health benefits from it! In fact, over all, this sugar is thought to contain around 16 amino acids. Amino acids are extremely vital for your body.

Furthermore, for those people who have diabetes, this type of sugar has been used as a substitute. Many people consider it a health food. It is perhaps the best sugar cane substitute, which means that the disadvantages that sugar cane has are overcome by this kind of sugar. It acts as a mind-booster, because it has inositol, which is a B Vitamin. Additionally, it does not give individuals an energy crash, so you definitely can maintain your energy level.

Furthermore, it has not proved to be as fattening as the other kinds of sugar, which means that those people who are on diet would actually prefer this kind of sugar. Numerous bakeries and food places have started using this kind of sugar, as part of their ingredients. Additionally, it has been recognized that coconut trees produce around 50-75% more sugar than regular sugar cane fields, which means that technically there is more harvest. Therefore, you are getting more from a lesser amount.

Conclusion
Nevertheless, many people claim that this industry is not sustainable, because once the sap is removed, the palm tree will not produce coconuts. This means that there are only specific trees, which are set aside for this process. Nevertheless, this type of sugar has definitely integrated itself well in the market, and there is a demand for it, because of its health benefits.

- www.coconut-info.net

Coconut Nutrition - Knowing Everything About It!

Coconuts have long been integrated into the diets of many people around the word. It has nourished and fed the populations around the world. It has been found that coconut has been a nutritious source for milk, oil, juice and meat. It can be eaten in its pure raw form, but it can also entail a great number of advantages, even when it is taken in other forms. It has been found to be extremely nutritious, because it is high in vitamins and minerals. In fact, it has always been used in traditional sciences and now it has also encompassed itself to moderns sciences, because of the numerous nutritious benefits that it is able to provide.

You need to remember that the kind of nutrition that you get from coconuts tend to vary, because coconuts vary greatly, as well. Therefore, there are certain young coconuts, which have been found to be good for most of the people, especially those people who have a carb and mixed types metabolic system. As far as mature coconuts go, those people, who are on a protein diet, or want more protein would gain benefits from it. Protein type individuals will also love the coconut cream and the firm meat that comes from the nature coconut. Those people who are carb and mixed types would prefer the juice from the coconuts.

Remember that coconuts are the best way that you can add variety, flavor, as well as nutrients to your diet. They are so high in nutrition that they are able to boost the immune system of the body. They prevent the formation of yeast infections, because they have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. This is because they are quite rich in lauric acid.

Coconut juice has been regarded as the best source of electrolytes, which are known to humans. In this case, the juice can actually prevent dehydration, especially in terms of strenuous exercise, or diarrhea. Forget any sports drink, because coconut juice is the right way to get energy, without any artificial components. Those people who are ill, and are in emergency situations, they have widely used coconut juice. This practice is done in remote areas. 

In fact, even coconut milk entails great advantages, because it is a great thirst-breaker. Hydration levels in the body are boosted, because it contains minerals, sugars and electrolytes. It is also rich in amino acids, which increase the immune system of the body. There are certain enzymes, which actually increase metabolism and help with digestion.

Coconut water is thought to contain exactly that. Just like oranges, it also contains manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, which means it is high in nutrition. However, the mineral composition in coconuts is actually higher than oranges. It is a good source of vitamins such as pyridoxine, folates, niacin, riboflavin, which are essential because they allow the human body to replenish. Vitamin C is also found in coconuts, along with potassium, which increases energy levels in the body. An individual`s potassium`s daily intake needs are completely fulfilled through a coconut, because they are highly rich in that.

Conclusion 
Since coconuts have such high nutrition value, they have been made into a wide variety of different forms, such as coconut milk, juice, meat, as well as butter and oil. Therefore, everyone just loves to have coconuts, because they are able to increase energy levels, help with diabetic patients, and actually found to be extremely helpful, when it comes to traditional science. With diarrhea, they have been highly beneficial. In times of illness, they have provided the right kind of nutrition, as well. So, crack a coconut, and have some fun filling your body with some energy! 

www.coconut-info.net

Coconut Palm Trees - Interesting Facts About Them

Imagining a palm tree people always think of some beautiful place on the seashore, where you can relax in the shade of the large green palm leaves waving in the light breeze. A palm tree has always been associated with romance, it symbolizes tropical beauty. The coconut palm tree is the national tree of the Maldives.The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a large long-living palm that yields the fruit of a coconut. The tree can last up to 100 years and can grow up to 98 feet tall. It can blossom up to thirteen times a year. The tree has a single bole the bark of which is smooth and ring-scarred. The pinnate leaves can reach 13-20 feet of length. They consist of linear-lanceolate bright green leaflets.

The number of the palm trees variety throughout the world today is quite striking. There exist more than 150 kinds of the coconut palm.

Coconut trees are generally divided into tall and dwarf ones. Depending on to what extent the land is fertile, the palm can yield different quantities of the fruit. Growing on a highly fertile soil, a tall coconut palm tree can provide up to 75 fruits per year, but more often the number can not get past the mark of 30. However, for the time being it can be seen a considerable elevation in the practice of cultivation.

The scientific term of the coconut palm tree is cocos nucifera. The word coconut is most likely to come from the Spanish and Portuguese word coco, which has a meaning of "a grin", "a monkey face" due to the resemblance of the coconut fruit to a human face, or a monkey head, since there are three small indentations on the shell of the fruit. Nucifera, in its turn, comes from Latin, and means "nut-bearing", where fero means "I bear" and nux is "a nut". In Sanskrit, the coconut palm tree bears the name of kalpa vriksha, which means "the tree giving all the necessities for living". It is called like this due to the variety of useful properties and compounds the coconut palm and its fruit possess.

The coconut trees grow in rainforests, tropical and subtropical areas. They are widely spread in Malaysia, southern Asia, India, South America, the Pacific Islands. The trees require sufficient warm conditions for a successful growth, they are intolerant to low temperatures and can not prosper in cold weather and yield properly under such conditions. Harsh frost will likely kill a tree. 

The coconut palm prefers the coastal areas with sandy soils, with a high level of humidity and rainfalls. Salty air is a key factor, too. For a favorable growth the plant also needs much sunlight. The palms rarely grow under low humidity conditions, even in spite of the temperature being rather high. An optimal growth is achieved with the average temperature of 81 F, while with the temperature of 70 F it slows down and aggravates. To grow properly without any care the coconut palm tree requires an average temperature of 53-56 F every day of the year. The rainfall amount should exceed the mark of 1000 mm per year. Direct sunlight is also necessary for an optimal growth.

Worldwide the coconut tree is grown in more than 80 countries. The trees are almost impossible to be cultivated in dry conditions, they require constant irrigation, or else the new leaves will not open and the old ones tend to become dried-up, hence the improper yield of the fruit.

Not only the coconut palm provides the fruit but can also be used in manufacturing various supplies, furnishing and equipment.

- www.coconut-info.net

BOTANY OF THE COCONUT PALM

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is the sole species of the genus Cocos belonging to the subfamily Cocoideae which includes 27 genera and 600 species. It is a diploid with 32 chromosomes (2n=32). As such, hybridization is mainly intraspecific.
The major classification of coconut based on stature or height is as follows:

(1) Tall palms, sometimes referred to as var. typica (Nar). They are widely planted both for household and commercial use and grow to a height of 20-30 m. They are slow maturing and flower 6-10 years after planting. They are long-lived with an economic life of about 60-70 years, although much older palms are known to exist and yield well. They are normally cross-pollinating and therefore considered to be heterozygous.(2) Dwarf palms, sometimes referred to as var. nana (Griff). These are believed to be mutants from tall types with short stature, 8-10 m when 20 years old. They begin bearing about the third year at less than 1 meter high. They have a short productive life of 30-40 years. They are normally self-pollinating and therefore considered to be homozygous.

The Inflorescence
The coconut inflorescence is enclosed in a double sheath or spathe, the whole structure known as a 'spadix' which is borne singly in the axil of each leaf. The palm is monoecious, i.e. its inflorescence carries both male and female flowers. The male flowers are more numerous than the female flowers. The former are borne on the top portion of spikelets which are attached to a main axis or peduncle. The female flowers are situated at the base of the spikelets.
The inflorescence primordium can be detected about 4 months after the first leaf primordium is differentiated; the male and female flowers, 22 months thereafter. The opening of the fully grown spathe occurs 1 year later.
The male flowers are the first to open, beginning at the top of each spikelet and proceeding towards the base. After each flower opening, the pollen is shed, and male flowers abscise, the whole process taking just 1 day. The male phase, however, takes about 20 days in most palms but this may vary according to season and variety.
A female flower remains receptive from 1 to 3 days. Depending on the environmental conditions and variety, the female phase may begin a few days or later after the spathe has opened and lasts 3-5 days in tall palms and about 8-15 days in dwarfs. A normal inflorescence may have 10-50 female flowers. With natural pollination, 50-70% usually abort and fall off, especially those which emerge during severe dry weather. The remaining flowers develop into fruits, which take about 12 months to mature.
The length of the male and female phases is affected by climatic environment and usually do not overlap in the tall types, such that self-pollination rarely occurs. In some dwarfs, particularly the Malayan Dwarf, overlapping of the male and female phases and between spadices usually takes place, promoting selfing. Hence, these dwarfs are reasonably homozygous.

The Fruit
Once pollination and fertilization occur, fruits set and develop to maturity in about 12 months, or less than 1 year for some dwarf cultivars. A count of bunch and fruit set can give a reasonable estimate of yield.
The fruit is a fibrous drupe but with a smooth outside skin (exocarp), which may vary from green to red brown or even ivory. The coat (mesocarp) in the young coconut is white and firm. On the other hand, the ripe nut has a fibrous mass, the husk, from which coir is obtained. Within this fibrous mass is the nut with a hard shell (endocarp) enclosing the kernel (endosperm). Between the shell and the kernel is a thin brown seed coat (testa). It adheres firmly to the kernel which is the white flesh, about 12 mm thick lining the central cavity containing the nut water. Towards the end of maturation, the volume of water in the cavity decreases considerably which may be due to absorption by the endosperm tissue or to evaporation. Matured nuts have a sloshing sound of water inside when shaken. Yield is usually estimated in terms of the number of nuts produced per palm or unit area and weight of equivalent copra.

The Roots
The palm has adventitious roots continually produced from the basal 40 cm or so of the trunk, which is the swollen part or what is termed 'bole', in tall types and in some dwarf hybrids. It has no taproot or root hairs but has lots of primary roots which bear large quantities of rootlets.
The main roots grow out somewhat horizontally from the bole and are mostly found within the topsoil. The main branches grow deeper and may extend laterally to as much as 10 m.
The roots, having no cambium, are noticeably uniform - the main roots reaching a maximum diameter of about 1 cm. The root tip is the actively growing region and behind it is the absorbing area whose epidermis is a single layer of thin-walled cells that gradually thicken and become impervious with age. In old roots, the epidermis disintegrates and exposes the hard hypodermis which is generally red.
The root centre has a stele surrounded by a single-celled pericycle sheath from which rootlets and aerenchymatous (respiratory exchange) protuberances or pneumatophores arise. The respiratory exchange occurs more abundantly nearer the soil surface to allow easy diffusion of oxygen into and carbon dioxide out of the root.

The Stem
The stem develops from the single terminal bud called the 'cabbage' which is the palm's only vegetative growing point. Under favourable conditions, the foundation of the trunk of a young palm reaches full development within 3-4 years.
In the tall types, the base of the trunk is up to 0.8 m in diameter, tapering quickly to about 0.4 m (Child 1974). Once formed, the trunk does not change much in diameter. If variation occurs from base to crown, this is not caused by biological factors but by climatic conditions and cultural practices.
Stem growth is fastest at early stages, which can be as much as 1.5 m per year. The incremental growth rate levels off as the palms grow old; up to 10-15 cm per year at about the 40th year and over.
The coconut stem has no cambium. Hence, it cannot regenerate damaged tissues. However, a mature palm may have as much as 18 000 vascular bundles which help it to withstand significant physical damage to its trunk, provided pest entry is prevented.

The Leaf
The first leaves of a coconut seedling have the pinnae fused together and appear as entire leaves. After eight to ten have been formed, subsequent leaves tend to split into leaflets. After about 3-4 years, the stem starts to form with a single terminal growing point where new leaves develop. Generally, a normal adult palm produces 12-16 new leaves annually, each bearing a corresponding flower cluster (inflorescence). There are about 30-40 leaves in a healthy crown with a similar number of leaf primordia, each differentiated about 30 months before it emerges as a 'sword leaf'. A mature leaf is 3-4 m long and has 200-250 leaflets. A leaf remains on the palm for about 3 years and thereafter, shed leaving a permanent scar on the trunk.
The age of an adult palm is correlated with the number of leaf scars. The number of scars on the stem, divided by 13, gives the approximate age of the palm in years (Mahindapala 1991). This may be important in estimating the age of existing palms used as parent materials in breeding.

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