| When you think of coconuts the image of | | | | summer evening for a change of pace. If |
| palm-lined beaches and clear blue water | | | | you're really in the coconut tropical mood, |
| surely comes to mind, but did you know | | | | go ahead and plant a palm tree, buy a set of |
| coconuts also may help protect your heart? | | | | tiki torches, have a Caribbean cookout, |
| Because coconuts contain more saturated fat | | | | because you'll be jam'in to a healthier you! |
| than butter, at one time many health experts | | | | |
| believed that consuming this sweet treat | | | | Recipe (serves 2) |
| would result in clogged arteries and heart | | | | |
| disease. However, studies show that the | | | | Coconut Crusted Shrimp |
| benefits of coconuts outweigh the possible | | | | |
| risks, which should please those with | | | | 20 medium shrimp |
| tropical fever. In a study published in | | | | |
| Clinical Biochemistry, 2004 1, researchers | | | | 1 tsp. garlic and herb seasoning |
| looked at coconut oil as a component of diet | | | | |
| in laboratory animals (Sprague-Dawley rats). | | | | 1/2 tsp. black pepper |
| In this study, virgin coconut oil, which was | | | | |
| obtained by wet process, had a beneficial | | | | 3/4 cup flour |
| effect in lowering total cholesterol, | | | | |
| triglycerides, phospholipids and low-density | | | | 2 medium eggs, well-beaten |
| lipoproteins (LDL). | | | | |
| | | | 1 cup shredded coconut |
| Even though coconuts do have a high saturated | | | | |
| fat count, more than 50% of that is lauric | | | | Directions |
| acid. A study in the American Journal of | | | | |
| Clinical Nutrition reported that although | | | | Preheat oven to temperature 400°F. |
| lauric acid raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol, | | | | Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick |
| it raises HDL ("good") cholesterol even more. | | | | spray. Sprinkle garlic and herb seasoning and |
| The other 50% of the saturated fat content is | | | | pepper evenly over the shrimp. Place the |
| made up of fatty acids that have little or no | | | | flour, egg, and coconut in three small |
| effect on cholesterol. Lowering your | | | | separate bowls. Dip shrimp into the egg, then |
| cholesterol levels is one of the easiest ways | | | | the flour, then the egg again, and then into |
| to reduce your risk of heart disease, so it | | | | the coconut. Place shrimp on the baking sheet |
| looks like coconuts are back on the menu! | | | | at least 1 inch apart. Bake for about 12-15 |
| | | | minutes, or until they are crisp and golden |
| This tasty tropical treat is still high in | | | | brown. Serving suggestion: dip in mango |
| calories, so don't overdo it. Instead, buy a | | | | sauce. |
| bag of shredded coconut and have just a | | | | |
| handful as a mid-morning snack or mixed into | | | | 1.   Beneficial effects of |
| your trail mix. Try to avoid a sudden spike | | | | virgin coconut oil on lipid parameters and in |
| in your blood sugar by making sure you | | | | vitro LDL oxidation. K.G.Nevin and T. |
| consume bagged coconut that is free of added | | | | Rajamohan, Clinical Biochemistry |
| sweeteners. If you'd like to try cooking with | | | | 37,2004;830-835). |
| coconut milk, try a delicious grilled coconut | | | | |
| shrimp or coconut-crusted chicken on a balmy | | | | Recipe is adapted from Chefs. |