Coconut milk has recently become very popular.
It's a tasty alternative to cow's milk that may also provide several health benefits.
This article takes a detailed look at coconut milk.
What Is Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk comes from the white flesh of mature brown coconuts, which are the fruit of the coconut tree.
The milk has a thick consistency and a rich, creamy texture.
Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines commonly include this milk. It's also popular in Hawaii, India and certain South American and Caribbean countries.
Coconut milk should not be confused with coconut water, which is found naturally in immature green coconuts.
Unlike coconut water, the milk does not occur naturally in liquid form. The solid flesh is mixed with water to make coconut milk, which is about 50% water.
By contrast, coconut water is about 94% water. It contains much less fat and fewer nutrients than coconut milk.
How Is Coconut Milk Made?
Coconut milk is classified as either thick or thin, based on consistency and how much it's processed.
Thick: Solid coconut flesh is finely grated and either boiled or simmered in water. The mixture is then strained through cheesecloth to produce thick coconut milk.
Thin: After making thick coconut milk, the grated coconut remaining in the cheesecloth is simmered in water. The straining process is then repeated to produce thin milk.
In traditional cuisines, thick coconut milk is used in desserts and thick sauces. Thin milk is used in soups and thin sauces.
Most canned coconut milk contains a combination of thin and thick milk. It's also very easy to make your own coconut milk at home, adjusting the thickness to your liking.
Nutrients in Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a high-calorie food.
About 93% of its calories come from fat, including saturated fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).
The milk is also a good source of several vitamins and minerals. One cup (240 grams) contains:
Calories: 552.
Fat: 57 grams.
Protein: 5 grams.
Carbs: 13 grams.
Fiber: 5 grams.
Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI.
Folate: 10% of the RDI.
Iron: 22% of the RDI.
Magnesium: 22% of the RDI.
Potassium: 18% of the RDI.
Copper: 32% of the RDI.
Manganese: 110% of the RDI.
Selenium: 21% of the RDI.
In addition, some experts believe coconut milk contains unique proteins that may provide health benefits. However, more research is needed on this.
Effects on Weight and Metabolism
There's some evidence that the medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) fats in coconut milk may benefit weight loss, body composition and metabolism.
About half the fat in coconuts comes from a medium-chain fatty acid called lauric acid.
Coconuts also contain small amounts of other medium-chain fatty acids, including capric acid and caprylic acid.
Unlike longer-chain fats, MCTs go from the digestive tract directly to the liver, where they're used for energy or ketone production. They are therefore less likely to be stored as fat.
Research also suggests MCTs may help reduce appetite and decrease calorie intake, compared to other fats.
In a small study, overweight men who consumed 20 grams of MCT oil at breakfast ate 272 fewer calories at lunch than those consuming corn oil.
What's more, the MCTs in coconuts can boost calorie expenditure and fat burning, at least temporarily.
A few controlled studies in obese individuals and people with heart disease showed that eating coconut oil reduced body weight and belly fat. Heart health markers also improved.
Although no studies have directly tested how coconut milk affects weight and metabolism, several studies show impressive effects from coconut oil and MCTs.
The same should apply to coconut milk, because it has the same fatty acids.
Effects on Cholesterol and Heart Health
Because coconut milk is so high in saturated fat, people may wonder if it's a heart-healthy choice.
Very little research examines coconut milk specifically, but one study suggests it may benefit people with normal or high cholesterol levels.
This 8-week study of 60 men found that coconut milk porridge lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol more than soy milk porridge. Coconut milk porridge also raised HDL ("good") cholesterol by 18%, compared to only 3% for the soy.
Most studies of coconut oil or flakes also found improvements in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels.
Although in some studies LDL cholesterol levels increased in response to coconut fat, HDL also increased. Triglycerides decreased compared to other fats.
Lauric acid, the main fatty acid in coconut fat, may raise LDL cholesterol by decreasing the activity of the receptors that clear LDL from the blood.
Results of two studies on similar populations suggest that the cholesterol response to lauric acid may vary by individual. It may also depend on the amount in the diet.
In one study of healthy women, replacing 14% of monounsaturated fats with lauric acid raised LDL cholesterol by about 16%. In another study, replacing 4% of monounsaturated fat with lauric acid had very little effect on cholesterol.
Other Potential Health Benefits
Coconut milk may also:
Reduce inflammation: Animal studies found that coconut extract and coconut oil reduced inflammation and swelling in injured rats and mice.
Decrease ulcer size: In one study, coconut milk reduced stomach ulcer size in rats by 54% — a result comparable to the effect of an anti-ulcer drug.
Fight viruses and bacteria: The MCTs in coconuts, especially lauric acid, reduce the levels of viruses and bacteria that cause infections. This includes those that reside in your mouth.
Adverse Effects
Unless you're allergic to coconuts, the milk is unlikely to have adverse effects. Compared to tree nut and peanut allergies, coconut allergies are relatively rare.
However, some digestive disorder experts recommend that people who have a FODMAPintolerance limit coconut milk to one half-cup portion at a time.
Many canned varieties also contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that can leach from can linings into food. BPA has been linked to reproductive problems and cancer in animal and human studies.
Fortunately, some brands use BPA-free packaging, which is recommended if you choose to consume canned coconut milk.
How to Use Coconut Milk
Although coconut milk is nutritious, it's also high in calories. Keep this in mind when adding it to foods or using it in recipes.
Ideas for Adding Coconut Milk to Your Diet
Include a couple of tablespoons in your coffee.
Add half a cup to a smoothie or protein shake.
Pour a small amount over berries or sliced papaya.
Add a few tablespoons to oatmeal or other cooked cereal.
Coconut Milk Recipes
Here are a few healthy recipes featuring coconut milk:
How to Select the Best Coconut Milk
Here are a few tips for selecting the best coconut milk:
Read the label: When possible, choose a product that contains only coconut and water. Avoid questionable ingredients such as carrageenan.
Choose BPA-free cans: Purchase coconut milk from companies that use BPA-free cans, such as Native Forest and Natural Value.
Use cartons: Unsweetened coconut milk in cartons usually contains less fat and fewer calories than canned options. Look for brands without carrageenan, such as So Delicious and Silk.
Go light: For a lower-calorie option, select light canned coconut milk. It's thinner and contains about 125 calories per half cup (120 grams).