Coconut makes up a large part of the Paleo lifestyle for a lot of people. It is not necessary to consume coconut on a Paleo diet, although some people might try to tell you otherwise.
Coconut As A Superfood
Coconut is commonly thought to be a kind of superfood due to its extremely high saturated fat content. Saturated fat is more desirable than unsaturated fat because it is more stable at high temperatures, and therefore can be used in cooking without worrying about the fat oxidizing. Oxidized fat results in oxidized cholesterol in the bloodstream, a dangerous precursor to cardiovascular disease. Consumption of stable saturated fat, on the other hand, leads to a lower incidence of oxidized cholesterol in the blood, as well as higher levels of HDL and lower levels of LDL.
Nutrient Content of Coconuts
The coconut is one of the most nutritious nuts out there and is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, and a slew of B vitamins.
Mark Sisson has a whole post on the nutritional benefits of coconut, as well as suggestions for how to use the various parts of the nut.
