Coconut milk is a crucial part of a plant-based diet because it is a vegan replacement for milk that doesn’t require much compromise — it boasts a creamy consistency and a delicious taste.  

Coconut milk is extraordinarily versatile and serves a variety of purposes in the kitchen. From breakfast to dinner and savory to sweet, coconut milk has a place in your diet. It  is packed with vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6 as well as iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. And its benefits don’t end in the gut. Coconut milk makes for an effective beauty product as well. The following 15 uses for coconut milk are sure to convince you to make it a daily fixture in your life. 

To prepare coconut milk, crack open a young Thai coconut, place the water and the scooped-out flesh into a blender and mix until smooth. If you are using a packaged version of coconut milk, make sure it comes in a BPA-free can or a milk box. Aroy-D and Native Forest Organic package coconut milk in a BPA-free can and Coconut Dream is a popular boxed brand.  

1. Substitute for Coffee Cream

Nix the dairy and opt for a healthier, animal-friendly alternative. Use coconut milk to replace the cream you pour into your morning cup of joe, and you’ll get a boost of energy not just from the caffeine but also from the electrolytes provided by the coconut milk itself. Coconut contains potassium, sodium, magnesium and chloride, all of which help to keep the body hydrated and properly functioning. What more could you ask for at the start of a busy work day?

2. Braise Meat

Coconut milk may not be the first ingredient you associate with chicken and meat, but it actually adds a sweet, delicious touch to the meal. Mix about ½ cup of coconut milk into the liquid of braising meat or chicken and watch as the milk absorbs the flavors of the dish and makes for a creamy, full-flavored sauce.

3. Be Calm and Drink Coconut Milk

Coconut milk contains 89 milligrams of magnesium per cup, which makes it a rich source of a mineral that helps to calm the nerves and maintain normal blood pressure. Magnesium blocks nerve cells from becoming overactive by virtue of becoming stimulated by calcium. Calm nerve cells reduce contraction of muscles and make you feel more relaxed.

4. Build Strong Bones (Without the Dairy)

Coconut milk is not a good source of calcium. It contains just over 38 milligrams of calcium per cup compared to regular milk’s 300 milligrams in the same serving size. But while it may not be able to give dairy a run for its money in terms of calcium, it is a rich source of phosphorus. With 240 milligrams of phosphorus per cup, coconut milk contributes to strong bones.

5. Moisturize Skin

Whether ingested or applied directly to the skin, coconut milk is helpful in hydrating the skin and keeping it soft and smooth. Its fat content locks in moisture. Simply apply a thin layer of coconut milk to a cleansed face, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse clean. Pat dry to reveal supple, soft skin.

6. Fight Infection

Coconut milk contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, which is quite valuable to the human body. When it enters the body, lauric acid is converted to monolaurin, which is a compound that has antiviral and antibacterial properties. For this reason, coconut milk consumption could fight infections and viruses.

7. Control Weight 

Because coconut milk contains saturated fats, it is often shunned by dieters as a fattening agent. However, because of its fiber content, coconut milk makes you feel fuller longer and, in moderation, can help to control weight.

8. Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

Coconut water is a source of manganese, which is vital for regulating blood sugar levels. One of manganese’s most important functions is to help metabolize glucose in the human body. Manganese is also essential for metabolism function, treating inflammation, preventing osteoporosis, alleviating PMS in women, aiding vitamin absorption and maintaining the health of the digestive track.

9. Remove Makeup

Mix 1 part coconut milk with 2 parts olive oil and use the concoction as a gentle way to remove eye makeup and moisturize skin at the same time. There is no need for harsh, alcohol-ridden chemicals to get rid of makeup around the most sensitive area of your face. Coconut milk does the trick just right!

10. Lower Cholesterol

Despite its saturated fat content, coconut milk can actually help to reduce cholesterol levels if you are used to cooking with butter and dairy-based creams. The truth is, not all saturated fats are created equal. Coconut milk raises cholesterol levels, but its lauric acid boosts HDL (good) cholesterol, which improves the HDL-LDL (bad) cholesterol ratio. So while the better option may be to reach for an unsaturated fat, if choosing among saturated fats, coconut milk is the best of the bunch. The fats in coconut milk are also easier for the body to break down and metabolize and contain healthy fats including omega 6 essential fatty acids.

11. Prevent Wrinkles

Improve skin elasticity with the consumption or application of coconut milk due to its copper and vitamin C content. Copper and vitamin C maintain flexibility and elasticity of the skin and blood vessels, slowing the aging process of your skin and body.

12. Treat Sunburns

After a long day in the sun, it’s never a bad idea to continue the tropical theme, even in the form of a remedy. Apply a thin layer of cool coconut milk to the sunburned area and the coconut milk with soothe and moisturize the skin.

13. Get Baking

For those who have lactose intolerance or are opting for a more animal-friendly diet, try using coconut milk in place of milk in baked dessert recipes. While other nut milks on the market do a good job of replacing dairy milk, sometimes they have a watery consistency that does not to the dessert much justice. Coconut milk packs with it a viable bulk that can bring the decadence back to vegan baked goods.

14. Treat Arthritis

Coconut milk contains selenium, which is an antioxidant that relieves arthritis symptoms. Selenium controls free radicals and decreases the risk of joint inflammation.

15. Condition Hair

Benefit from the nutrients and fats in coconut milk with a hair treatment. Massage coconut milk into your scalp and use your fingers to brush the milk through hair strands. Once covering your hair and scalp, wrap your hair in a towel and let the coconut milk sit for an hour or two. The longer it sits, the more deeply the moisturizing and strengthening effects of coconut milk will penetrate. You could also warm the milk up prior to application to jump start the assimilation of nutrients.

 Photo Credit: FruitLush, Chichacha, Pumpkincat210, NicolaSince1972 

The post Fabulous Fat: 15 Benefits of Coconut Milk appeared first on EcoSalon.

Have you added coconut oil into your daily healthy and beauty routines, yet?

Coconut oil is an incredibly versatile item to stock in your pantry and among your toiletries. Its healthy fats bring with them a host of health benefits. Incorporate the following 20 uses into your lifestyle and you’ll know how to take care of daily rituals, from easily removing makeup to reducing frizz, and address health issues from Alzheimer’s to boosting hormone function.

Despite its saturated fat content, coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that are shorter than those in animal fats, which means the body can metabolize them quickly and not store them on the body. Coconut oil’s fats are actually quite beneficial for the body. The oil contains nutritionally beneficial fatty acids: lauric, caprillic and capric acids. Lauric acid fights off bacteria and viruses, and coconut oil is the only source of it, apart from mother’s breast milk. Caprilic acid contributes to healthy digestion and balances bacteria in the gut, while capric acid has strong anti-microbial and anti-viral properties.

It’s coconut oil’s unique fat content that makes it especially beneficial. The following 20 suggestions give you practical tips to getting the most from coconut oil.

1. Make Pop-Tarts

Pop-tarts are an American classic, but they are not the best addition to a healthy diet. Use coconut oil in this spelt-based Vegan Pop-Tart recipe to keep things animal-friendly and full of rich flavor and texture.

2. Replace Your Everyday Cooking Oil

While many everyday oils like olive oil are lauded for their unsaturated fat qualities, when cooked, the oils biochemically change and don’t bear the same nutrients, enzymes and potency as when in a raw, cold-pressed state. Coconut oil is unique in that it has a high burning temperature, so it can withstand higher heat levels that other oils can’t. When cooking, opt for coconut oil. It brings a new flavor profile to your dishes and can make the difference in your healthy diet.

3. Eye Makeup Remover

Coconut oil is a gentle and effective way to remove make-up. A little goes a long way and you ultimately get more for your buck by sticking to coconut oil and avoiding expensive brands with chemicals and artificial ingredients.

4. Daily Energy Supplement

Because of its ability to fight off bacteria and viruses as well as its positive influence on digestion and skin health, coconut oil makes a great daily supplement. Add a teaspoon to your morning smoothie or lightly cook vegetables with it.

5. Anti-Aging Moisturizer

Coconut oil provide a boost of antioxidants, which are linked to preventing signs of aging skin. Apply a smidgen of coconut oil to your face after cleansing at night and let it do its healing while you get your shut-eye.

6. Sex Lube

Over-the-counter lubes are often packed with harmful chemicals, can affect fertility, and are conducive to infections. Coconut oil in its extra-virgin or virgin state is a natural fungicide and completely devoid of additives and chemicals. And while many brands are relatively free of any scent, the extra-virgin varieties can bring a whole new meaning to sex on the beach.

7. Weight Loss

The fatty acids in coconut oil are called medium-chain triacylglycerols, which are much shorter and thus more soluble in water than the fatty acids found in other oils. For this reason, they are more readily burned for fuel. Replacing other oils, such as canola oil or olive oil with coconut oil can be the subtle change to making a big different in your body.

8. Diaper Cream

Coconut oil is an effective, gentle, natural diaper cream that moisturizes and gets rid of bacteria without piling on the chemicals.

9. Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Religiously rub coconut oil on your pregnant stomach as it grows and prevent stretch marks. Many women swear by this ritual.

10. Reduce Frizz

All it takes is a small dab of coconut oil rubbed into your hands and then brushed through your hair to reduce frizz and leave your locks looking soft, healthy, and moisturized. Don’t worry about the greasy look; as long as you apply only a dab, greasiness will be avoided.

11. Prevent Alzheimer’s

According to research, coconut oil’s medium chain fatty acid content has been linked to preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s.

12. Shaving Cream

It’s never fun to shave without something creamy or soft to make the experience less harsh on your skin. Instead of reaching for a store-bought shaving cream, opt for coconut oil. It goes on smooth and works as both a shaving cream and an after-shave moisturizer.

13. Diminish Cellulite

Introduce coconut oil to your daily moisturizing rituals. Apply it on your thighs and bum on a regular basis and you’ll start to notice your cellulite disappearing.

14. Get Rid of Lice

Rinse hair with vinegar and then brush in a generous amount of coconut oil so that the entire head is evenly coated. Put on a shower cap and let it sit for a few hours before rinsing off. The vinegar dissolves the sticking power of lice eggs and the coconut oil smothers and kills the lice.

15. Boost Hormone Health

Coconut oil offers the necessary building blocks for the production of hormones. Fat is very important in the rebuilding and repairing cells, but the wrong balance of polysaturated to saturated and monunsaturated fats can mean bad news for your health. The human body is 97 percent saturated and monounsaturated fats and 3 percent polyunsaturated fat. Most vegetable oils tip the balance towards polyunsaturated fats, which can wreak havoc on the body. Coconut oil keeps the ratio balanced.

16. Tanning Oil

Coconut oil acts as a 4 SPF tanning oil that isn’t cancerous like the brands grazing beauty shop shelves. It’s moisturizing as well, which prevents your skin from getting dry and flaky under the sun.

17. Dry Feet Fix

Mix coconut oil with salt to remove dry skin from feet. The salt acts as an exfoliating scrub that removes dead skin cells and the coconut oil helps to lubricate, moisturize and kill bacteria in the process.

18. Chicken Pox and Poison Ivy Relief

Apply coconut oil to areas affected by chicken pox or poison ivy to reduce swelling, itching, and irritated skin.

19. Hair Care

Store-bought hair masques and moisturizing conditioners are often filled with fragrances, chemicals, and other additives that do more harm than good. Coconut oil works as an excellent masque prior to shampooing. Liberally apply it to the hair, let it stay in for 5 minutes, rinse, and then continue shampooing and washing hair as normal.

20. Massage Oil

There are many organic ways to spice up your sex life, and using coconut oil as a massage oil is one. Mix with other essential oils for desired scents and aura.

Photo Credits: Phu Thinh Co,Veganbaking.net, Adrianclarkmbbs, Eflon, Geomangio, Meredith P.

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