Coconut milk is a “milk” like no other. Unlike cow’s milk, it is dairy and lactose free, and unlike almond milk, it is nut free. The health benefits of coconut milk are unique. Organic coconut milk contains minerals that not only improve your internal health but also heal and nourish your hair and skin as well.
What is Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk is derived from the coconut fruit. It has a subtle natural sweetness that can be used in many sweet or savoury dishes. It is also a natural, allergy free dairy alternative which can be used in your favourite recipes.
Organic coconut milk is made without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Coconut milk is processed by blending and soaking the grated, white meat of a coconut with hot water. The cream which forms at the top of this emulsion is skimmed and the remaining mixture is strained through a sieve or cheesecloth. The more often the mixture is strained, the thinner the coconut milk becomes.
The various consistencies of organic coconut milk have similar health properties but are used in diverse ways for cooking. For example, thicker coconut milk is more suitable for desserts or rich sauces, while the thinner version for soups and curries.
Coconut Milk – Health Benefits
Organic coconut milk contains fats that behave very differently to other saturated fats. It contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which are metabolised more efficiently by the liver. These fatty acids create an energy boost and are less likely to be absorbed by the body and stored as fat.
The MCFAs in organic coconut milk also contain lauric acid, which lowers inflammation and is considered to be anti-viral and antibacterial.
The health benefits of coconut milk are also found in the many minerals it contains. These minerals, which include magnesium, potassium and iron, improve circulation and also reduce muscle tension and stress.
When added to your shampoo, conditioner and body moisturiser, organic coconut milk also creates a luscious and nourishing beauty product. The fatty acids in coconut milk also have healing properties, making it a pure and natural antiseptic for your skin.
Optimising Coconut Milk Nutrition
The best forms of coconut milk are those that are organic and preferably unpasteurised. This ensures that the vitamins and minerals within coconut milk are not compromised or diminished. By choosing an organic coconut milk with no added sugars, flavours or colours, the purity of the coconut milk is not compromised.
Some nutritionists recommend choosing organic coconut milk packaging that is BPA free. BPA refers to the chemical Bisphenol-A which is sometimes used to line the inner coating of cans used for food packaging. BPA has been known to be absorbed into the food within these containers and can have adverse health side effects when consumed.
The health benefits of coconut milk are widely recognised to improve your overall health in a variety of ways. Organic coconut milk nutrition also improves the health of your skin and hair.
By paying attention to the way organic coconut milk is processed or packaged, you are also optimising how much your body will benefit from coconut milk nutrition.
