By Fiona Baker Can this humble, hairy fruit prevent heart
disease and Alzheimer's? A growing band of supporters -
including scientists - are singing the healing and restorative
praises of coconut. They cite research and evidence to back
their arguments and claim this humble, hairy fruit contains
properties that can prevent, or even cure, a wide range of
ailments from heart disease to Alzheimer's. They haven't
convinced everyone: the Heart Foundation strongly disputes their
claims and says coconut oil in particular is an unhealthy
saturated fat and should be avoided. But retired CSIRO scientist
and honorary research fellow at the University of Queensland,
Mike Foale, says the Heart Foundation has got it wrong. Foale
has been studying the coconut palm for more than four decades
and believes coconut is a superfood. "There is both scientific
and abundant anecdotal evidence of great health benefits,
including increased energy, weight loss, natural antibiotic
activity, cholesterol reduction and insulin stabilisatio