By Shreesha Ghosh
September 01, 2022
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World Coconut Day is celebrated every year on September 2 to spread awareness about the importance and benefits of coconuts. Let's learn some juicy and incredible facts about the fibrous one-seeded fruit with a hard stony covering.
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A coconut can travel for over a hundred days on the ocean’s tide and still germinate! Can you believe it? They can stay afloat because of their water resistance property. Hence, coconuts can be found all over the Pacific and Indian ocean regions.
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Coconut used to be spelt “cocoanut.” The old spelling is rarely used now, as coconut became a universally accepted term over the past century. The coconut tree — Cocos nucifera — is a member of the palm tree family Arecaceae and is known to be the only living species of the genus Cocos. That’s how coconut got its name.
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On his fifth voyage, Sinbad the Sailor from the tale of the Arabian Nights gathered coconuts from tall palm trees in a small town. He would sell these coconuts and earn enough money to return home.
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In India, the coconut is considered auspicious and used in many religious ceremonies. In the Hindu religion, the coconut is regarded as the symbol of the three gods — Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Hence, most Hindu rituals are incomplete without breaking a coconut.
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Monkeys are trained to harvest coconuts in some countries, such as Thailand. Because of their agility and quick climbing capabilities, monkeys are trained to climb a coconut tree and detach the stone fruit.
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Coconut water is often considered healthier than regular water because of its high nutritional value. It is filled with minerals like potassium, sodium and magnesium and is also found to be low in calories. Several studies have also shown that coconut water contains antioxidants.
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Coconut oil contains lauric acid and has been long known for its anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties. Coconut oil can help prevent secondary infections in wounds caused by viral infections. It also boasts antiseptic properties that can reduce discomfort.