Page 10 - Fall2011

Letters

article there are references to the phytic the same as those in coconut. You can- availability from coconut flour supple-
acid content of coconut. Since the pub- not predict the chelating effect based on mented foods. Philippine Journal of
lication of this article people have been total phytate content alone. Nutrition 2002;49:48-57). In other
asking me whether they should soak The mineral-binding effect of words, coconut flour did not bind to the
coconut or coconut flour to reduce the the phytates in coconut is essentially minerals. Therefore, soaking or other
phytic acid. nonexistent. It is as if coconut has no phytic acid-neutralizing processes are
Phytic acid occurs in nuts and seeds phytic acid at all. In a study published completely unnecessary.
in two forms—phytic acid and phytic in 2002, researchers tested the mineral Soaking has been suggested as a
acid salts [Reddy, NR and Sathe, SK binding capacity of a variety of bakery means to reduce the phytic acid content
(Eds.) Food Phytates. CRC Press, 2001]. products made with coconut flour. in grains and nuts. Some suggest coco-
Both are generally referred to as "phy- Mineral availability was determined nut flour should also be soaked. To soak
tates." Together, these two compounds by simulating conditions that prevail coconut flour doesn't make any sense.
make up the total percentage of phytates in the small intestine and colon. The The coconut meat from which the flour
reported in various foods. However, researchers concluded that "coconut is made, is naturally soaked in water its
they do not possess the same chelating flour has little or no effect on mineral entire life (12 months) as it is growing
power. So the chelating effect of the availability." (Trinidad, TP and others. on the tree. To remove the meat from
phytates in corn, wheat, or soy are not The effect of coconut flour on mineral the coconut and soak it again is totally

10 Wise Traditions FALL 2011 FALL 2011 Wise Traditions

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