Coconut is a tasty food that is enjoyed by millions of people from around the world. It should not only be recognized for its delicious taste, but also for the astounding benefits it has on brain health. Millions of people from around the world are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and coconut might just be involved in the cure they are looking for. This is because consuming coconut helps release ketone levels in the body which are thought to help treat a variety of neurological disorders. Ketones are byproducts of the breakdown of fats in the body and only small amounts are normally produced. Ketone levels rise when we fast or when we go on a very low carbohydrate diet.
Another way to boost ketones in your body is to consume a type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides which is found in coconut. This is because medium chain triglycerides are converted into ketones in the liver which can be used by the brain and other organs as fuel. They are a more immediate source of energy than other fats and are not as readily stored in the body as body fat. Ketones can also provide energy without the need for insulin, the hormone that the bod requires to get glucose from the blood into cells. The theory here is that ketones might provide an alternative energy source for brain cells that have lost their ability to use glucose as a result of Alzheimer’s.
Aside from having the ability to increase ketone levels, coconuts ar also rich in important nutrients that the body needs to function. For example, coconut is an excellent source of Vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese and magnesium which are all important for metabolism and promoting health. In addition, coconuts have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties which help the body function on a day to day basis.
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