Features
Consumption of Coconut: Myths and truth
By H. A. Aponso
Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, University of Peradeniya
It was reported a few weeks ago that a Professor of Nutrition and his Research team had reported that consumption of coconut had harmful effects. This news item seems to have caused a scare which I believe was not the intention of the researchers. Perhaps this is not their final report on the topic.
Coconut
is incorporated into most Sri Lankan food preparations in many forms -grated kernel, coconut milk, coconut oil, etc. Sri Lankans get most of their energy requirements from the coconut fat; also small amounts of protein, calcium and iron, from the kernel and milk. After squeezing out the milk from the grated kernel, the left over is often thrown away, or fed to the chickens or pigs, which thrive on it. It is referred to as coconut refuse (pol-kudu), a derogatory term in Sri Lankan parlance; a better term is low-fat coconut. Poonac, which is the left-over after obtaining the oil from dried coconut kernel (copra), is excellent fodder for cattle. Coconut refuse contains significant amounts of carbohydrate and protein; it is actually low-fat coconut. Can coconut refuse be used in human diet? Is it digestible? If sambol and mellun (made with grated kernel) is digestible, why not coconut refuse, which is grated coconut from which some carbohydrate, fat, protein, and water has been extracted? It is not suggested that coconut refuse should be a principal article of food in our daily diet! However, considering the escalating cost of coconuts, the time has come for us to incorporate it into our food preparations rather than throwing it into the garbage. It can very well be added to sambol, melluns, (together with some fresh grated coconut), without interfering too much with the taste or flavour. Coconut refuse can be used entirely or mixed with grated coconut in preparations such as roti and pittu . It is specially useful in the diet of those who should avoid the fat in coconut, as explained below. It also contains dietary fibre, which is known to bring down the level of cholesterol. Thus, it is of value for the overweight and those whose cholesterol levels need watching.
The fat in coconut has a high level of saturated fat. The P/S ratio, the ratio of polyunsaturated fats to saturated fat is very low. [When the saturated fat content is high, as in coconut fat, this ratio becomes low; when the saturated fat is low and the unsaturated fat is high, as in corn oil or soya oil, the ratio becomes high.] This has caused an unnecessary fear and controversy about consuming coconut. However, it should be noted that the coconut fat consists largely of “medium chain fatty acids”, such as lauric acid. These fatty acids are metabolised to produce energy. They have beneficial effects on the heart, in view of their function of reducing triglycerides,Total and LDL cholesterol, increasing HDL, and improving blood coagulation factors and antioxidants. They are reported to be useful in managing Alzheimer’s disease. Lauric acid is also claimed to kill harmful germs, and thereby to prevent infections. Coconut kernel, as pointed out earlier, contains carbohydrates, proteins and fibre, in addition to the fat. Recent studies in Sri Lanka and abroad indicate that when coconut oil is consumed, along with coconut kernel in any form, HDL the ‘good’ cholesterol is increased, and LDL the ‘bad’ cholesterol — reduced. It is reported from Kerala ( India ), that an amino-acid, arginine, which is present in the protein of the kernel in coconut, counteracts the harmful effects of a high cholesterol diet by manipulatng the levels of free radicals. It has been reported that the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil, have a curative effect on diseses such as Alzheimer’s Dementia, Parkinson’s Disesae and even Schizophrenia
Considering the above-mentioned facts regarding coconut, it can be said that coconut is a nutritious food about which there should be no fear of causing an increase in the levels of LDL (the “bad” cholesterol), except in those who consume large amounts of animal fats, such as fatty meats (pork, bacon, etc), milk and milk products (butter, ghee, curd, yoghurt, cheese, etc) and egg yolk, all of which are high in cholesterol. Those who are unable to cut down the regular use of high-cholesterol foods are well advised to cut down their intake of coconut fat / oil. It is the cumulative effects of the intake of such foods, very often in the form of fast foods, which have recently become a part of our food culture, and the increasing tendency to a sedentary and stressful life style that is causing a concern about the consumption of coconut, as opposed to the earlier era when these adverse conditions were minimal.
Before 1970, coconut oil was freely used in the USA and in Europe for baking and frying food without any health complaints. However, starting in the 1970s, some very powerful groups in the U.S., including the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Corn Products Company (CPC International), and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) began to categorically condemn all saturated oils used for food preparation on the grounds that they are not safe for human health. Unsubstantiated stories were used to convince the public that all saturated fats were unhealthy, when in fact saturated fats rich in medium-chain fatty acids like Lauric acid have been scientifically proven to be exceptionally healthy. Such baseless propaganda was carried out with the intention of undermining the salient position held by coconut oil in the edible oil market and in the minds of the people around the world. Learning blindly from them, even doctors in Asia who were not aware of the real benefits of coconut oil restricted people from consuming coconut oil on health grounds.The result was that most people switched to soya oil and sunflower oil for food preparation ratherthan coconut oil which contains Lauric acid, and as a result the main source of Lauric acid from tropical oils in the European and American diet was lost. However, wrongly accused of being the factor responsible for increasing harmful cholesterol and health disorders by the Westin 1990s, coconut oil is now revered, held in high esteem, and is in fact used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even used in treating AIDS patients. There are companies in Europe and the USA that sell coconut oil for medical applications such as incorporating into antibiotics given intra venous. However, they never call it “Physically Refined Coconut Oil’/ virgin coconut oil containing a high Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) value, and instead call it “MCT” and sell it for pharmaceutical applications at very high prices. Contrary to their earlier theory that coconut oil contains ‘cholesterol’, now, the TNT spray given as a first aid to heart patients to improve oxygen supply to the heart, produced in the UK and marketed at a very high price under the trade name JPN spray, contains coconut oil as the solvent. The reason for that too is the dilation effect caused by MCT in the coconut oil by relaxing muscles; which promotes free flow of blood.
The US medical journal writer, Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of the book “The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil” says that Coconut oil is the healthiest edible oil on earth. Modern scientific research backs this bold statement.”More than 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut fat is Lauric acid, which is a medium chain fatty acid. It has the additional beneficial function of being converted into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal body to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, influenza and various other pathogenic bacteria. Some studies have also shown the antimicrobial effects of free lauric acid. In nineteen seventies, unsubstantiated stories were used to convince the public that All Saturated Fats were unhealthy, when in fact saturated fats rich in medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid were scientifically proven to be exceptionally healthy. US scientists agree that unhealthy Low Density Lipids (LDL) are not found in coconut oil. Instead, coconut oil has health safe HDL (High Density Lipids).HDL removes cholesterol and carries it back to the liver, which flushes it from the body. HDL is known as “good” cholesterol because having high levels of itcan reduce the risk ofheart diseases and stroke.
If coconut oil actually helps reduce cholesterol and if it’s healthy, how can we get the health benefits of coconut oil? Most of the coconut oil producers in Sri Lanka do not follow quality and food safety procedures. Even the specifications given in the SLS standards are not defined to identify the “Chemically refined” or “Physically refined” process. What should the SLSI talk about or specify in their standards? They should set standards in such a way that those brands which carry SLSI logo should be free of toxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and high peroxide values, which are the main causes of health problems attributed to coconut oil usage. A clinical and laboratory survey carried out by a group of eminent scientists and doctors in Sri Lanka found that of branded and non-branded coconut oils commonly sold in super markets in Colombo, only physically extracted coconut oilhad peroxide levels and chemical residue levels within the accepted health safe limits. Rest of the branded oils, some of them even with the SLS mark, had those parameters at the high risk level. The paper was published at the annual sessions of the Institute of Chemistry in 2013. The report is also available in the Medical Journal of Sri Lanka. Subsequent to this study, the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) too has been keen on revising the SLS standards including the above parameters which are useful to the consumer in selecting an oil for food applications. Taking a step forward, CDA also carried out a study. The results showed that even some of the brands which carry the SLS mark contained harmful D1-Toxin in them. Now the standards for coconut oil which is commonly used by the general public are under review. Subsequently,the CDA recommended SLSI to do necessary changes in standards and it was also communicated to the Health Ministry. Even though SLSI (Sri Lanka Standard Institute) accepted the proposal to revise the standards, it still hasn’t been done.
Hence, it is high time that we set proper standards for coconut oil and execute them in the market as many of parties are manipulating within the current legal framework in place. Historically, we have been a healthy nation and it’s time to set proper standards to make sure that the consumers are protected when buying coconut oil. Coconut is gaining confidence and acceptance around the world and as a result the same countries that undermined coconut oil are today embracing it back as they have realized the true value of coconut. — Misconception about health benefits of coconut oil — Dr L.M.K.Tillekeratne, Retired Professor of Chemistry, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, December 2015.
Note that it is not the consumption of coconut that has given rise, in recent times, to an increasing incidence of coronary heart disease, (due to increasing levels of cholesterol ), but the change in lifestyle (from the healthy physical activity of earlier times to sedentary habits) and diets heavy laden with fat and cholesterol
Those who have diseases due to atherosclerosis, such as coronary heart disease or strokes, or those who have a strong family history of such diseases, should also cut down the coconut oil, unless it is taken together with significant amounts of coconut kernel. Such people should get used to preparations made from soya, soya oil, corn oil, etc.
Warning: It is reported that coconut oil is often adulterated with cheaper vegetable oils, such as palm oil, which are saturated and do not have the beneficial effects of pure coconut oil; virgin coconut oil, which is a little more expensive, is not adulterated
Also, if the same coconut oil is used over and over again in frying, the fatty acids would be converted to tranfatty acids
(The writer has had a training in Nutrition at the International Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad)
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
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Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
