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We all love indulging in coconut milk every now and then, right? But, were you aware of the coconut milk health benefits? Probably not, right? This milk is more than just its taste, the benefits are quite profound as well.
For the most part, coconut milk is an amazing plant based dairy alternative, especially if you are vegan or lactose intolerant. But, often, these are just the benefits that people are aware of.
Here, we are going to share some insights regarding some of the health benefits of coconut milk and why you most definitely need to try it out.
What is Coconut Milk?
We are all aware of the flesh or the meat inside the coconut, right? When we are talking about coconut milk, it is the liquid that you get after squeezing the coconut flesh.
Many people do have the confusion thinking that the liquid or the coconut water is what is the coconut milk. That is not the case at all.
Majority of the people blend or grate the coconut flesh with a tool and then pass it through a muslin cloth to extract the coconut milk that has a very rich and creamy flavour to it.
Is coconut milk a healthy alternative?
People often have this misconception that coconut is a high fat content fruit. Even though it is true, people do fail to realize that the medium chain fatty acids that are present in coconut are actually good for your health.
It has positive impacts in boosting the overall metabolism of the body, when consumed in moderation.
Much like that, even the coconut milk derives same benefits. Just ensure that you consume the same in moderation.
A lot of anything is not good for your health. So, if you are turning vegan or have a hard time digesting your normal dairy, this can be an amazing alternative.
It is high in magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, all of which have amazing benefits on your health.
What are the benefits of coconut milk?
Now that you are aware of the nutritional benefits and even the overall reasons why it is good for you, it is time that we take a peek into the amazing benefits of coconut milk.
1. Might promote weight loss
Coconut and coconut milk are enriched with medium chain fatty acids which are considered healthy fats.
Not only that, eating your meals with coconut milk also helps keep you satiated for a longer time, thus preventing overeating.
Unlike the unhealthy fats, the fats from the coconut milk are not deposited in the body as fats and are converted to energy, keeping you productive through the day and preventing the risks of weight gain as well.
This is one of the reasons why obese individuals are suggested to make a switch from the unhealthy fat based milk to coconut milk instead.
Read: Diet Vs. Exercise For Weight Loss – What Works Best?
2. Promotes better heart health
Studies have found that high levels of cholesterol could be a biomarker behind poor heart health.
Coconut milk is enriched with a specific medium chain fatty acid, known as the lauric acid, which has been found to have amazing impacts in helping promote better heart health.
In a conducted study (R) with 60 individuals between the age of 18-57 years old, it was found that the consumption of coconut milk helped increase the levels of high density lipoprotein while simultaneously reducing the levels of low density lipoprotein.
The same has amazing impacts on your heart health and keeps the risks of blockage and such in check.
Read: Effective Sleeping Patterns Mitigate Risks Of Heart Disease
3. Amazing for reversing hair damage
If you are tired with the constant hair damage and want some potent and long lasting ways to reverse the damage, coconut milk benefits for that.
It is enriched with essential nutrients which not just help nourish the scalp but also promote effective ways to tackle the constant issue with the irritated scalp.
It nourishes the hair follicles as well, further helping promote better health and well being for the better. If you want to restore your damaged dry and dead hair, coconut milk can help with that effectively.
Using coconut milk has been found to have positive impacts in helping reduce the frizz and even reverse hairfall for good.
Read: 25 Turmeric Golden Milk Benefits You Need To Know Of
4. Might help control diabetes
Diabetes is that one chronic disease that you can regulate with lifestyle changes.
The extra virgin coconut oil that is extracted from the coconut milk has been found to have beneficial impacts in helping regulate the glucose levels in the body.
The antioxidative property (R) in the coconut milk is what has been found to have amazing benefits in improving the insulin sensitivity in the body.
Read: 25 Fruits For Diabetics That Won’t Cause a SUGAR RUSH!!
5. Promote muscle building
If you want to promote better muscle building and prevent the fat accumulation in the body, one of the best ways to do that is with coconut milk.
The medium chain fatty acids present in the coconut milk have been found beneficial in enhancing the energy expenditure and improving the overall energy expenditure.
Not just that, our muscles needs optimal nutrients for better functioning. This is one of the reasons why coconut milk helps, especially because they are enriched with magnesium and potassium.
Not just that, the healthy fats from the coconut milk help keep you satiated throughout the day, thus preventing further fat deposition in the body.
The key to experiencing the health benefits is by ensuring that you do not consume more of what needs to be consumed.
Read: 18 Natural Muscle Relaxers – Bid Adieu to Muscle Pain and Cramps
6. Promotes better electrolyte balance
The reason why coconut milk is touted for helping maintain electrolyte balance is because of its nutrient factor.
Coconut milk is enriched with some of the best available minerals and compounds including potassium, magnesium, manganese and a lot more.
The consumption of this has thus been found to be quite beneficial in helping improve the electrolyte balance in the body without any further issues.
Adding coconut milk to your diet ensures that you can maintain proper balance of the electrolytes in the body.
Read: 8 Foods To Consume To Maintain Electrolyte Balance For Healthier Lifestyle
7. Might help reduce inflammation
Chronic or even acute inflammation has direct negative impacts on the body.
Not only does it contribute to worsening physical health, it can affect one’s mental health as well.
If you have been struggling with the same and having a hard time to decipher the ways that could help reverse its impacts, it has been found that the coconut milk benefits for that.
Even a conducted study (R) found that the coconut milk does have potent anti-inflammatory properties that help keep your health in the best condition.
8. Better moisturisation of skin
If you have been wondering about the skin benefits of coconut milk, they are quite profound.
Owing to the fact that it contains high levels of healthy fats, coconut milk has been found beneficial in helping moisturize your skin from inside.
Not just a great moisturizer, coconut milk also has amazing soothing properties on the skin.
Read: 15 Best Ayurvedic Treatment For Glowing Skin
9. Might be effective for Alzheimer’s disease
Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease are always suggested to maintain a diet that helps with the production of ketones.
The medium chain fatty acids that are present in the coconut milk has been found beneficial for getting converted into ketones.
The heightened conversion of the ketone (R) helps provide with alternative energy to the brain, thus helping promote better functioning, and might help with Alzheimer’s disease too.
10. Prevents the risks of stomach ulcers
Stomach ulcers can eventually take a toll on your health for the worse.
If you have been struggling to keep things going, one of the best ways to combat that is by consuming coconut milk.
Even a number of studies have found that the efficacy of coconut milk on ulcers is a lot better in comparison to coconut water.
According to a study, it was found that the consumption of coconut milk reduced the risks associated with stomach ulcers by 56% in the rats.
The antiulcerogenic properties (R) of the coconut milk is what further contributed to helping keep the stomach mucus lining in the best shape.
11. Might promote better functions of the prostate gland
One of the best health benefits of drinking coconut milk is that it helps promote better prostate function and health.
The primary reason why that is the case is because coconut milk is enriched with zinc.
Studies (R) have found that zinc has potent benefits in reducing the risks associated with prostate cancer and improves overall prostate health.
While the tissues of the prostate gland already have stores of the zinc, it is believed that the consumption of the coconut milk further helps replenish the lost amount effectively.
12. Healthy skin exfoliator
Every person wants clear and clean skin. And, one of the most important steps to getting a clear skin is exfoliation.
The combination of the moisturizing properties soothes the skin all the while getting rid of the dirt from the clogged pores.
Adding this with some almond or oatmeal flour has been found to have amazing benefits in keeping your health in check.
Better exfoliated skin ensures that you don’t complain about the issues regarding acne and pimples.
What happens if you drink too much coconut milk?
Too much of anything is bad for your health. The same is applicable for coconut milk consumption too.
If you are struggling to keep a check on the amount of coconut milk to consume every day, know for a fact that the amount doesn’t matter a lot.
Keep a check that you are not bathing your diet in coconut milk. A glass or two never hurt anyone but don’t overdo the same.
Some of the common side effects include:
Weight gain
Even though the fats in coconut milk is considered to be quite healthy, it is likely that too much coconut milk can promote fat deposition in the body.
Instead, make sure that you consume enough to help contribute to better metabolism and healthy functions in the body.
Allergic reactions
Much like nuts, people are susceptible to coconut milk allergies too, especially when consume in an uncontrolled amount. This is the reason why it is important that you keep a check on that.
If you find something amiss with your body functions after consuming the coconut milk, it is better that you do focus on either stop drinking it or find better alternatives for the same.
There are not many side effects linked to this, which is one of the reasons why people do suggest drinking coconut milk on a daily basis in comparison to the other forms of dairy.
If you have been wondering about the coconut milk benefits, these are some of the best ones that are worth looking into. Before anything, just ensure that you focus on knowing the nutrition value and the permissible amount to consume on a daily basis.
