Benefits of Coconut Milk

Like many people with autism, Alex has shown sensitivity to regular milk in food allergy testing, and he drinks plant-based milks instead. Over the years, he has tried a variety of brands and types of substitute milks, but his favorite is coconut milk because of its appealing taste and texture. For the past few years, he has been drinking So Delicious brand vanilla coconut milk beverage, and he also really likes their vanilla dairy-free yogurt and Coco Whip whipped topping. After being on a dairy-free diet for nearly twenty years, Alex doesn’t mind forgoing milk because he has tasty milk substitutes to enjoy daily.

After recently reading an article about the benefits of coconut water, I was curious if coconut milk shared those same healthy attributes. According to research, coconut milk offers great health benefits. In “Coconut Milk Health Benefits and Uses,” published online at the Healthline.com website on December 11, 2018, registered dietician Franziska Spritzler outlines what makes coconut milk a healthy choice. [To read this article, please click here.]

First, she explains that medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut milk prove beneficial. Research indicates that these fatty acids are less likely to be stored in the body as fat, may help curb the appetite, can increase metabolism, and might help the body lose belly fat. However, she cautions that the lower levels of medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut milk may not dramatically increase weight loss.

In addition, she cites studies that demonstrated the lauric acid found in coconut milk can lower bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and can raise good HDL cholesterol. Along with potential for improving cardiac health, lauric acid can improve overall health by fighting viral and bacterial infections. For this reason, every day Alex takes the supplement Monolaurin, which contains a form of lauric acid. Some research suggests that Monolaurin also acts as a natural antifungal, eradicating yeast infections.

Moreover, she references research indicating the ability of coconut milk to reduce inflammation in the body and to decrease the size of stomach ulcers as effectively as prescription medication. Although she touts the potential value of coconut milk, Ms. Spritzler indicates that not all studies are conclusive regarding its benefits. Furthermore, she cautions that regular coconut milk is quite high in calories and fat: one cup contains 552 calories and 57 grams of fat. In contrast, the So Delicious coconut milk beverage, which also contains filtered water, has 80 calories and 4.5 grams of fat in one cup. Since the calories and fat levels differ between pure coconut milk and coconut milk beverage, one wonders if the effectiveness of the health benefits may differ, as well.

In another online article, “Coconut Milk Nutrition: Beneficial Vegan Milk or High-Fat Trap,” published on the Dr. Axe.com website on December 26, 2018, Jillian Levy describes even more potential health benefits of drinking coconut milk. [To read this article, please click here.] In addition to citing the same research noted in the previous article regarding potential cholesterol-lowering improvements, Ms. Levy touts the benefits of the minerals found in coconut milk. These minerals, especially magnesium, also help cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. In addition, she notes that these minerals provide electrolytes the body needs for optimum health.

Along with minerals, the medium chain fatty acids, or MCTs, found in coconut milk offer various health benefits, she explains. Specifically, they help the brain function properly. Furthermore, as noted in the previous article, these fatty acids can help in losing fat because they help the body use energy. Referencing research from the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University, the author quotes from the published study: “MCTs may be considered as agents that aid in the prevention of obesity or potentially stimulate weight loss.” She goes on to explain that MCTs provide people with a sense of being full which makes them less likely to overeat, perhaps making dieting easier.

As in the previous article, Ms. Levy cites the same research indicating the potential for coconut milk to reduce the size of ulcers and describes its protective effect upon the mucus lining of the stomach. Moreover, she notes that coconut milk can help the digestive system, hydrating and nourishing the digestive tract without causing irritation that regular milk may inflict.

Noting the benefits of coconut milk upon inflammation also described in the previous article, Ms. Levy explains that the MCTs found in coconut milk can help joint inflammation and arthritis. Specifically, she states that the medium-chain fatty acids help lower inflammation associated with pain in the muscles and joints as well as inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders.

In addition, this article describes two potential benefits of coconut milk noted in blood tests. To illustrate, she explains that coconut milk can help prevent anemia because plant-based milks provide the iron needed to treat iron-deficiency anemia. Moreover, coconut milk can prove helpful in treating diabetes by managing blood sugar effectively. The fat content in coconut milk apparently helps slow the rate sugar is released into the bloodstream, regulating insulin levels. After clearly explaining all the potential health benefits of coconut milk, the author recommends drinking full-fat coconut milk for optimum results but advises drinking this type in moderation because of the higher caloric content.

Although some may wonder if people with autism on the gluten-free and dairy-free diet can fulfill their nutritional needs on this restricted diet, research suggests that coconut milk offers several potential health benefits. After reading more about coconut milk and how it can improve cardiovascular and digestive health as well as alleviate inflammation, I am delighted that Alex consumes coconut milk products on a daily basis. I have always thought that he is quite intuitive about knowing what his body needs to be healthy, and now I’m confident that his choice of coconut milk is one that will continue to heal his body so that he can enjoy life to the fullest.

“You gave the people of Israel this land that You had promised their ancestors long before­––a land flowing with milk and honey.” Jeremiah 32:22