A pleasant, tender taste is not the only reason to consume coconut milk. It can significantly affect your health status, thanks to its nutritional qualities.
Is Coconut Milk Good for You?
Nowadays, coconut milk becomes more and more popular; not only in restaurant cuisine, but also as a replacement of a regular milk. Despite the fact that milk from coconuts contains more fats and calories (caloric content is 150-200 kcal), dietitians prefer using it except of animal origin milks.
Basically, the benefits of coconut milk are contained in enzymes, which are useful for a digestive system. It is much better digested than, for example, cow’s milk. In addition, coconut milk is good because of its high content of omega-3, 6 and 9, which together with the amino acids make it possible to replenish the daily nutrients required by a person with just one glass of the drink.
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Coconut milk is rather useful for prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. The beverage has a beneficial effect on stomach and intestines, promotes the healing of ulcers and helps in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. This milk does not cause allergic reactions; it will not lead to diarrhea or stomach colic.
In addition, it contains phosphorus, which means it provides your body with phosphates that are key substances involved in the construction of bones.
Coconut milk helps to balance the level of sugar, thanks to the presence of manganese in its composition. It heals the inflammatory processes of the joints, because of the presence of antioxidants and lowers the pressure due to the presence of potassium.
Today, the harm of coconut milk for health is virtually unknown. However, scientists actively discuss its positive qualities. There is the most optimal level of vitamin C for the immune system in coconut milk. This means that the drink can be used to prevent colds. In addition, it increases hemoglobin, due to the high concentration of iron.
The plenty of magnesium in coconut milk helps to neutralize the hyperactivity of nervous system, relieves muscle tension and soreness of the joints.
Potential harm of coconut milk is mainly associated with the conservation of a canned one. Manufacturers often add a stabilizer, guar gum, to the drink, which is difficult to digest and adversely affects health due to its toxicity. There is no guar gum in powdered coconut milk though. It is a nice and easy-to-store variant.
To sum up, let us set a list of the most beneficial properties of coconut milk, as there are plenty of them:
- Coconut milk helps in strengthening immunity.
- It restores energy and strength after physical and mental stress.
- The consumption of coconut milk excludes allergic reactions, gastric colic and diarrhea.
- Hyperactivity of the nervous system is healed due to the presence of magnesium in coconut milk.
- Coconut milk also positively affects the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Coconut milk is a more healthy replacement of cow’s milk for those who suffer from lactose intolerance.
- It promotes fast saturation, but with no excess fat.
- Thanks to antibacterial properties, coconut milk is beneficial for skin and hair.
Coconut Cream vs. Coconut Milk
A sweet food product called coconut cream or coconut paste is slightly thicker than classic coconut milk. These two have a very similar taste. Coconut cream, like milk, is made from the pulp of a mature coconut.
Depending on the number of squeezes, the consistency of the final product may vary: it can be quite liquid or very thick. For example, after the first squeeze, a thick coconut cream is obtained, and after using the pulp soaked in water, coconut milk becomes more like a juice.
In cooking, coconut cream often forms the basis for the preparation of some varieties of sauces that are served to fish and meat, as well as desserts and sweets.
In addition to excellent gastronomic qualities, the benefits of coconut cream for human health are also evident. It is so, because this product contains many oils, vegetable fats and protein. It is saturated with vitamins of group B, ascorbic acid, iron and manganese.
Coconut cream is a nice and powerful remedy for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. In addition, this delicious product is useful for people who have depression and nervous disorders.
Anyway, there is almost no difference between coconut milk and cream. Both of these products are extremely healthy. The nutrition content is quite similar for them, meaning you can diversify your diet by adding some cream to sauces and sweets.
Coconut Milk vs. Coconut Water
Coconut water, unlike milk or cream is not made by squeezing. It is naturally formed inside of a nut. All you need to get it is break a coconut.
It is believed that thanks to the high content of antioxidants, coconut water prevents the aging of skin and internal organs. It rejuvenates cells, helps to improve the complexion, makes epidermis softer and more elastic. In addition, this liquid successfully fights free radicals.
Coconut water helps to remove toxins from the body (including mercury) and slags. This drink favorably affects the work of the gastrointestinal tract and its microflora, improves metabolism, eliminates digestive problems and gastritis.
To achieve the best result, drink coconut water on an empty stomach and with your regular meals.
Coconut water improves blood circulation, removes “bad” cholesterol, prevents the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques and cleanses blood. It can prevent heart attacks and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, it regulates blood pressure, so it is especially recommended to drink for hypertensive patients.
Coconut juice helps to balance the blood sugar level and normalize the amount of insulin, so it is OK to drink for diabetics.
Coconut water strengthens the immune system. This drink helps the body to recover from serious illnesses and after surgical operations. It promotes the regeneration of tissues and bone splicing.
Is Coconut Milk Fattening?
Coconut milk became especially popular with nutritionists. The reason for its frequent use as a dietary product lies in the fact that it contributes to rapid saturation, so it is recommended for people suffering from obesity.
Even though there are many fats in the nutrition content of milk, these are only vegetable ones. Moreover, there are almost no carbs.
Summing up, coconut milk is very nutrient, but not fattening at all. The composition of enzymes and fatty acids makes it a nice thing used to lose some excess weight. And the taste is rather cool as well.
Is Coconut Milk a Laxative?
We have discussed a few paragraphs above that coconut milk does not lead to diarrhea or stomach colic. This product is extremely beneficial for gastrointestinal tract. It normalizes the work of it. On the other hand, you might have some problems with the digestion of coconut milk, if you have personal intolerance or stomach illness. If you face something like this, ask your doctor about drinking the beverage.
Is Coconut Milk High in Cholesterol?
All dairy products contain cholesterol. This is because of its animal origin. However, coconut milk comes from nuts, and there is no cholesterol in it. That is, by the way, one of the most beneficial properties of this product, especially for using on a diet.
Cholesterol is not only bad for your figure. It also leads to blood circulation problems and affects your heart work (in a bad kind of way). Therefore, you should replace dairy products with coconut milk, if you have some disease of cardiovascular system.
Is Coconut Milk Good for Your Hair?
Coconut milk, due to a large number of vitamins contained in it, perfectly nourishes hair; therefore, it will be especially useful for dry, fragile and damaged ringlets. It is also famous for its moisturizing and antibacterial properties.
There are many recipes of masks and hair conditioners made with coconut milk. However, it is better to use this product as is. Since it is hard to wash your hair in some liquid, buy coconut cream and apply it on your ringlets before bathing. All types of hair will look better with it.
Coconut milk is a nice replacement of a cow’s one. It might not contain that much vitamins, but is definitely much more beneficial. There are many contraindications to consuming dairy products, but almost none for coconut milk, cream and water. Thus, coconut is one of the best things nature can give us!
