Coconut milk is often associated with foods that are high in fat and cholesterol. In fact, there are many benefits of coconut milk that are actually good for health, from strengthening the immune system to maintaining a healthy heart.
Coconut milk is one of the most common ingredients used in Indonesian cuisine. This milky white liquid is produced from grated old coconut meat that has been moistened, before being squeezed and filtered.
Besides being cheap and easy to find, coconut milk also has many benefits for the body thanks to the various nutrients in it. In 100 ml of coconut milk, there are about 75 calories and various nutrients, such as:
- 0.5 grams of protein
- 5 grams fat
- 7 grams of carbohydrates
- 450 milligrams of calcium
- 0.7 milligrams of iron
- 45 milligrams of potassium and sodium
- 150 micrograms of vitamin A
- 2.4 micrograms of vitamin D
Although it contains quite high fat, the type of fat contained in coconut milk is healthy vegetable fat. This means, coconut milk does not contain bad (LDL). Coconut milk also contains B vitamins and antioxidants which are quite high.
Benefits of Coconut Milk for Health
Thanks to its abundant nutritional content, the benefits of coconut milk for health are unquestionable. The following are some of the benefits of coconut milk that you should not miss:
1. Maintain good cholesterol levels
Most people may think coconut milk can trigger an increase in bad cholesterol levels in the body. In fact, coconut milk does not contain bad cholesterol and is actually useful for maintaining good cholesterol (HDL) levels in the blood. This is thanks to the healthy fat content and lauric acid found in coconut milk.
Thanks to the benefits of coconut milk on this one, the body can avoid cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks. To get the benefits of coconut milk, avoid consuming coconut milk with sugar or foods high in cholesterol, such as offal or fatty meats.
2. Maintain ideal body weight
Coconut milk contains healthy fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Some studies state that this type of fat can reduce appetite and increase fat burning in the body. Thus, coconut milk can maintain ideal body weight.
However, you need to remember, keep consuming coconut milk in moderation. This is because you can still gain weight if you eat large amounts of coconut milk.
3. Strengthen the body's immune system
Several studies show that the lauric acid in coconut milk can not only maintain good cholesterol levels in the body, but also strengthen the immune system.
Together with the content of antioxidants and other nutrients, such as protein, coconut milk is believed to strengthen the immune system so that the body is stronger against infectious diseases, such as influenza. In addition, coconut milk is also known to be useful for maintaining good germs (probiotics) in the digestive tract.
4. Improve brain performance and function
The benefits of coconut milk are also known to be good for maintaining brain health and keeping the brain functioning properly. The content of healthy MCT fats, antioxidants, and protein in coconut milk acts as a source of energy for the brain.
Things to Pay Attention to Before Consuming Coconut Milk
In addition to freshly squeezed coconut milk, coconut milk is now also available in packaged form which is considered more practical and easy to use. However, not all packaged coconut milk is good for consumption.
To stay safe and healthy when consuming packaged coconut milk, here are some tips you can do:
Make sure do not use preservatives
Choose packaged coconut milk products that are processed with good preservation methods, such as UHT (ultra high technology) or granulation method, so that it can last longer without the use of preservatives.
Make sure the product is registered with BPOM
If you want to buy ready-to-use coconut milk products, make sure the product is licensed and registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and is halal certified. This is to ensure that the coconut milk product is fit for circulation and follows the standardization in Indonesia.
Check the nutritional content listed on the packaging
Make sure the packaged coconut milk product you choose contains a variety of nutrients, such as fiber, omega 3 and omega 6, is cholesterol free, and low in calories so it is good for the body.
Coconut milk is safe to eat. Those are the various benefits of coconut milk for health that you should not miss. Even so, it does not mean that the health of the body can be maintained just by consuming or adding coconut milk to cooking.
A healthy diet must also be supported by eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and managing stress are the main keys to having a healthy body.
