Why should you buy coconut milk?

Coconut milk is a white, milky substance extracted from mature coconut meat. Coconut milk has three main health benefits. It has effects on weight loss, heart health, and the immune system.

Coconut milk contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can help you lose weight. MCTs stimulate energy through thermogenesis, or heat production process and work to reduce waist size and body weight. In addition to that, they can also balance out unstable gut microbiota. You might develop obesity if you lack this stability. Moreover, for those who are overweight, consuming MCTs at breakfast will help reduce food intake later in the day. Also, MCTs increase insulin sensitivity, and this sensitivity promotes weight loss. Insulin is a hormone that is essential for your body because it breaks down glucose and controls blood sugar levels.

Coconut milk contains high fat content, so for many people, it is not considered to be healthy for heart because if you consume a lot of fat in your diet, it will increase your risk of having heart disease. However, different sources of saturated fats will affect your body in different ways. Also, how a person metabolizes saturated fats and the extent to which these fats impact health depend on genetics.

Coconut milk also has effects on cholesterol levels. According to a study in 60 men, it may benefit people with normal or high cholesterol levels. Coconut milk porridge lowers bad LDL cholesterol more than soy milk porridge. It also raises good HDL cholesterol by 18%, compared to only 3% for soy milk porridge. HDL cholesterol protects the heart and removes LDL cholesterol from the blood. It carries LDL cholesterol to the liver where it is broken down, and the body eliminates it eventually.

On the other hand, coconut-based products are high in fat and calories. So people should only consume them in moderation. And you should be aware that coconut oil has more fat per serving than coconut milk, which will have less effects on cholesterol levels. That's a reason you should buy coconut milk.

Coconuts contain lauric acid which can support the immune system. According to some researches, lauric acid has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lauric acid inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis effectively. In addition to that, lauric acid triggers apoptosis, cell death, in breast and endometrial cancer cells. By stimulating certain receptor proteins that regulate the growth of cells, this acid inhibits cancer cell growth.

Coconut milk is a very calorie-rich food. It contains high levels of saturated fat,  is rich with vitamins and minerals. However, depending on the coconut products, the nutritional contents are different. For example, coconut milk drinks have a different nutritional profile from canned coconut milk. Also, vitamins A, B-12, and D2 are usually added in these drinks.

A cup of canned coconut milk contains 445 calories, nearly 165 grams of water, 4.57 grams of protein, 48.21 grams of fat, 6.35 grams of carbohydrates, 41 milligrams of calcium, 497 mg of potassium, 104 mg of magnesium, 7.46 mg of iron and 2.30 mg of vitamin C.

A cup of sweetened coconut milk beverage contains 74 calories, 226.97 g of water, 0.50 g of protein, 4.99 g of fat, 7.01 g of carbohydrates, 451 mg of calcium and 46 mg of potassium.

Coconut milk can be added to meals and drinks to enhance the flavour. There are some dishes that coconut milk can go well in, including:

• Cereal: You can replace traditional dairy milk with coconut milk. Especially for those who are vegans, it can be an alternative to soy milk.
• Smoothies: You can add coconut milk in any smoothie.
• Soups: Coconut milk can be used for any creamy soup, or added to soup broth, vegetables, and curry powder.
• Oatmeal: When you have oatmeal, you can add coconut milk as the liquid. Stir coconut milk in one cup of oats and cook for about 15 minutes. Then you can top with some fruit like bananas or strawberries and cinnamon.
• Chicken curry: Add coconut milk and spices in curry powder. Then mix them in cooked chicken and vegetables, and serve with rice.

You will find many types of coconut milk in grocery stores or online. Some of them will have higher fat and calorie content than others, depending on how much milk and water that the manufacturers have added and blended.

Canned coconut milk is usually higher in fat. It has a thick, cream-like consistency and it is used for baking or cooking. Coconut milk beverages are thin and have a consistency closer to dairy milk. Before buy coconut milk, check the labeling. We recommend you to buy unsweetened products. Also, you should be noted that coconut milk beverages contain less protein than dairy milk. Therefore, if you want to switch to coconut milk, you should consume protein from other sources in your diet.

In general, it is best if you can buy coconut milk products that contain very few ingredients. Make sure that you don’t purchase ones which contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial thickeners. Additionally, it is a good option that you can go for organic products. So where can you buy coconut milk? At Betrimex, we offer all types of coconut milk products with the best quality that you are looking for.

In conclusion, coconut milk has several health benefits, but if you consume too much, it can cause problems, such as weight gain or allergic reactions. Although these problems are rare, consumers should still take note and consume a moderate amount of coconut milk.