Dr. Puneet Dwevedi

The coconut plant is an extremely versatile plant. No part of it goes waste. The whole fruit is used from its succulent flesh to its water everything is utilized. Coconut is in fact filled with various nutrients. It has many health benefits. The coconut is now seen as a superfood.

The reasons behind so many health benefits of coconut have been laid down here:

1. Consuming any coconut product leads to a positive effect on weight management. It speeds up metabolism and provides instant energy. Unlike other energy sources, coconut has fewer calories than other fats. In fact, it is most likely to burn up than being stored in the body as fat.
2. Coconut has good fats. It contains medium chain fatty acids. Long chain fatty acids are responsible for high cholesterol. But medium chain fatty acids are not. Instead, they help to lower the chances of atherosclerosis and other heart diseases. Also among the coconut's several different properties, it contains lauric acid. Lauric acid is found in human breast milk.
3. Carbohydrates are of two types, digestible (soluble) and non-digestible (insoluble). Soluble carbohydrates do not leave the body and get stored as fats. Insoluble carbohydrates do the opposite. Coconuts contain insoluble carbohydrates. As the body cannot digest the fibre, it cannot retain any calories and does not affect blood sugar levels.
4. Since coconuts contain insoluble fibres, they do not raise glucose levels. Coconuts, thus have low glycaemic index.
5. Sweet cravings are lessened and insulin secretion is improved. Blood sugar has better utilization. Coconut lowers any growth in blood sugar, thus reducing cravings.
6. Coconut oil is beneficial to fight tooth decay. It fights the bacteria and the mouth bugs that give rise to dental caries.
7. Brain disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and strokes can be prevented.
8. It has no trans-fat
9. It is gluten free. Also, the flour made from dried, powdered coconut flesh can even be used in baking!
10. It is hypoallergenic
11. Boosts immune system
12. Coconut contains fatty acids that have antimicrobial properties. They kill bacteria, yeasts, fungi and viruses that cause diseases.
13. Protects body from free radicals that lead to premature aging
14. It is also good for your hair and skin

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Emotional abuse is a lesser known topic that is very important to talk about. Most individuals are oblivious to the fact that such a term even exists. This article is mainly about educating people about what emotional abuse is, how it affects children, thereby, affecting the upcoming generation altogether.

Like physical abuse, emotional abuse too is very real and harmful enough to cause enormous damage to a child’s mental health. So what exactly is emotional abuse?

Any sort of persistent, emotional neglect or emotional maltreatment can become emotional abuse to children and may cause havoc in their emotional development. The world runs at a very fast pace and parents usually are caught up in earning well for the family, raising the children properly and transforming them into respectable adults. This entire process brings about enormous stress and frustration. As such, unknowingly or knowingly, these parents end up emotionally abusing their children. No, that is not the end of it. It is not only the parents who can cause emotional abuse, but also there are numerous other factors to be considered.

So to make the explanation process easier, here are some points that explain what emotional or psychological abuse includes.

1. Scaring or humiliating a child deliberately and regularly
2. Isolating or ignoring a child
3. Telling a child that he/she is worthless, inadequate or unloved
4. Not providing the children any opportunity to express him/her by deliberately silencing them or making fun of their expression
5. Age inappropriate or developmentally inappropriate expectations from children. For example, making a child believe that topping the class is necessary and is a shame otherwise.
6. Overprotecting the child and hindering their exploration and learning
7. Preventing them from participating in an absolutely normal social interaction. For example, asking girls not to mix with boys and punishing them for doing so.
8. A child seeing or hearing utter ill-treatment of another child or person
9. Serious bullying by other children and cyber bullying
10. Threatening a child and calling names
11. Making a child perform any sort of act that might be degrading
12. Exposing a child to distressing interactions like domestic abuse or drug abuse.
13. Not expressing positive or congratulatory feelings to the child
14. Not showing any sort of emotional attachment or interactions with the child
15. Causing physical abuse to the child.
16. Trying too hard to control the child’s life and not allowing him/her to recognize their individuality.

Yes, there is no such thing as good parenting or bad parenting. However, parents need to know how much any sort of emotional abuse may affect the future development of their child.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!