Coconut MilkCoconut milk has a rich and delicious taste that improves the flavor of a number of dishes. It is also a great substitute for dairy products and a useful health food. This post will take a closer look at coconut milk, its uses and its benefits.
There are two types of coconut milk - thick coconut milk and thin coconut milk. Thick milk comes from the first squeezing of fresh coconut meat through cheesecloth. The meat is then soaked in warm water and squeezed again to produce thin coconut milk. Most canned coconut milk is a combination of both thick and thin milk. The easiest way to separate the two is to open a can of coconut milk and then allow it to settle. The thick coconut milk will rise to the top and can be scooped off.
Thick coconut milk is commonly used for making dry curries and for desserts. It is delicious with mango. Thin coconut milk is used in lots of soups and wet curries made in Thailand such as green curry.
Coconut milk contains 17% fat. Most of the fat is medium chain fatty acid or medium-chain triglycerides that are easy for the body to metabolize and turn into energy. Coconut milk is often used by athletes to increase stamina. The fat found in soy, sunflower and most other vegetable oils is composed of long chain fatty acids that the body cannot completely break down. What cannot be metabolized becomes bad blood cholesterol.
Recent research by endocrinologists has shown that regularly eating coconut milk is a good way to maintain a balance of total body cholesterol and to avoid lipid disorders.
That is not the only health benefit of coconut milk. It also contains lauric acid that is antimicrobial and helps to protect the body against infection and viruses. In Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) coconut milk is used to treat mouth ulcers. Moreover, coconut milk contains antioxidants that not only stop coconut going off but also prevents coconut milk going rancid in the body. The introduction of antioxidants in the body is also a good way to stop the formation of free radicals that cause the signs of aging.
Finally, using coconut milk also helps to keep up the vitamin levels in the body. Coconut milk also contains other vitamins and minerals such as calcium. That is why it is a great substitute for cow's milk. It tastes great in smoothies and can be used in many recipes instead of yogurt or milk.
In short, not only is coconut milk delicious it is also highly nutritious and beneficial for human health.
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Tags: coconut milk, types, health benefits of coconut milk, lipid disorder, lauric acid, anti oxidants, dairy substitute
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