If you haven’t tried coconut milk yet, then this is a must. This exotic drink is already in our stores, albeit in canned form. It has many useful properties and has a pleasant, unusual taste.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 70 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 1.0 |
| Fat in 100 g, (g): | 6.0 |
| Carbohydrates per 100 g, (g): | 3.0 |
| Glycemic index: | 41 |
What is coconut milk product?
Outwardly, the drink resembles ordinary cow’s milk and this is not a liquid from a coconut, it is produced from the pulp of the fruit. In terms of its taste, milk is very different from the liquid that is inside the fruit. There are two types of milk:
- First spin. It is the most valuable liquid, concentrated and viscous.
- Second spin. These are the remnants of processed raw materials during the primary pressing. The drink tastes less intense.
There is also the so-called coconut cream, which is used mainly for sauces or desserts.
Composition and calorie content of coconut milk
Coconut milk contains special enzymes, they are not in any way similar to cow’s. They are better and faster absorbed by the human body. The drink contains just over 36% fat, about 3% protein and 4% carbohydrates. There is a lot of dietary fiber in milk, which contributes to the elimination of toxins.
Depending on the cooking method, the calorie content of the product ranges from 150 to 230 kcal.
Milk has a high content of macro- and microelements. Most of all manganese – as much as 46%. There are copper, selenium, copper, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
There are about 10 vitamins in coconut milk: groups B, C, E, PP. The leaders are vitamin B5 – 3.7%, B9 – 4%, PP – 3.8%.
In addition to vitamins and other useful elements, there are amino acids in milk: Omega-3, 6, 9.
Benefits of coconut milk, vitamins and minerals
Thanks to the optimal range of vitamins in milk, fats and proteins are converted into energy and help to strengthen the nervous system of the human body. The drink helps to strengthen the immune system and stabilize blood pressure.
The vitamin composition of milk helps to improve the structure of the mucous membrane and stimulates the production of hemoglobin. Potassium, magnesium and phosphorus regulate the process of blood clotting and are responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses.
Thanks to macronutrients, milk stimulates the restoration of the cardiovascular system, improves bile secretion and removes harmful substances from the body. Iron and manganese stimulate the reproductive system in both women and men.
The amino acids in milk help cleanse the liver and flush out toxins. They are beneficial for the male body as a muscle building vehicle. Amino acids allow the body to better cope with changes in atmospheric temperature, they are involved in the production of hormones and antibodies, and help improve memory and concentration.
Lauric acid, present in milk, stimulates the process of removing cholesterol from the body, helps the heart and vascular system. It is very useful in the process of losing weight, as it stimulates the burning of fatty deposits.
Fiber helps to improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines, reduces the rate of absorption of glucose in the blood and reduces the risk of diabetes. It reduces appetite and maintains the intestinal microflora at the proper level.
Benefits of coconut milk for women
Coconut milk helps the beautiful half of humanity to maintain youthfulness and improve skin health for as long as possible. It improves the structure of the nails.
Benefits of coconut milk for men
For men, coconut milk is beneficial primarily for reproductive function. Help comes from manganese, which milk can boast of.
Coconut milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Coconut milk is beneficial both before and after childbirth. While carrying a child, milk has a slight choleretic and diuretic effect, removes excess fluid, which relieves a woman of puffiness. It helps to normalize hormones and relieves constipation and heartburn. The drink prevents the development of fetal defects and has a positive effect on the formation of bone mass and the nervous system. Milk prevents babies from developing anemia.
During lactation, coconut milk strengthens the mother’s body after childbirth and improves the quality of her milk.
Is coconut milk good for children
Coconut milk is useful for babies, but if its mother did not consume it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, then it can be introduced into the diet no earlier than 2 years from birth. The drink is introduced gradually, be sure to monitor the reaction of the child’s body.
In countries where coconut milk is a common product, it is given to babies almost from day one, but for our region, it is still an exotic drink.
Is coconut milk good for weight loss?
Milk is useful during dieting, it improves metabolic processes and stimulates the stomach. It should always be remembered, though, that it is high in fat and should therefore only be drunk in limited quantities. And on days when coconut milk is consumed, you will have to give up fatty foods and focus on fruits, vegetables and lean meats and fish.
Coconut milk for diabetes
Coconut milk is allowed if there are problems with the work of the pancreas. In addition, if it is regularly consumed in small quantities, the development of this disease can be avoided.
The use of coconut milk in cosmetology
Coconut milk is widely used for cosmetic purposes. It helps to give the skin a pleasant complexion. Improves hair structure.
Universal milk mask:
- oat flakes;
- coconut milk.
Two tablespoons of the components are thoroughly mixed, and 2 teaspoons of honey are added to the mixture. The mask is applied to the face for 20 minutes and washed off with water.
To keep your hair shiny and strong, five tablespoons of coconut milk and 3 tablespoons of lime juice are thoroughly mixed and applied to the scalp for 20 minutes. After that, the hair is washed with a regular shampoo.
Daily intake of coconut milk
Don’t get too carried away with coconut milk. It is recommended to drink it in 100 ml no more than 2 times a week. For babies from 2-3 years old, the dose can be 70 ml daily, as a substitute for cow’s milk.
How to make coconut milk at home
Naturally, any drink will be useful if it is made at home, with your own hands.
Milk can be made from coconut. To do this, open the fruit, chop the pulp in a food processor. Then the pulp is poured with hot water (1: 2) and placed in a blender. Then the drink is filtered and the life-giving drink is drunk.
You can make a drink from coconut flakes. Mix water and shavings in equal parts, bring to a boil – all the drink is ready.
Coconut milk harm and contraindications
There are no contraindications to the use of milk. But you shouldn’t use it every day. An allergic reaction to milk rarely occurs, but nevertheless, when introduced into the diet, it is necessary to monitor the state of the body. It is better to stop drinking milk if you have fructose intolerance.
How to choose and store coconut milk
If you buy a canned drink, then look at the composition. It should contain nothing but water and coconut concentrate. Refuse to buy a drink containing the preservative E 224, it is extremely dangerous for humans.
Be sure to look at the date of manufacture and expiration date. In the open form, milk can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days. Know that the lower the fat content of the milk, the better.