Many people confuse coconut milk with coconut water. Coconut water is high in potassium and often used as a source of fluid to quench hydration, and is much lower in calories than coconut milk.
Coconut water is about 45 calories per cup whereas, coconut milk contains about 500 calories. That’s six times what you’ll find in a cup of skim milk.
While coconut milk is delicious and sweet often used in smoothies and cooking. If you’re watching your weight or have a history of heart disease or elevated cholesterol, you’ll want to limit your intake.
Look for fat content and note the amount of saturated fat in coconut milk – each 450-500 calorie cup contains about 50 grams of fat, of which 45 grams is saturated.
Yet people who live where coconuts grow have long drunk the sweet, nutty elixir of the coconut, the water that builds inside the shell of a young coconut. As the fruit ages, the water hardens into the white flesh and is pressed for milk or oil.
Coconut Milk
This is usually made by cooking equal parts coconut and water. You’ll see cans of it in most grocery stores. It’s not typically used for cocktails, but could be fun to play with in different recicipes.
1. Aids Weight Loss
Coconuts contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are known to burn fat and induce satiety, which eventually prevents overeating.
2. Boosts Immune System
Coconut milk contains a good amount of vitamin C, a nutrient that helps to boost our immunity.
3. Improves Digestion and Relieves Constipation
Coconut milk contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals, which provide the necessary electrolytes and good fats that help move the food along the intestinal tract and leave the body at regular intervals.
4. Coconut Milk Moisturizes Skin
Coconut milk also helps moisturize our skin and makes it soft and supple.
5. Prevents Premature Aging
Coconut milk is packed with vitamin C and copper, which help maintain the elasticity and flexibility of the skin while improving its appearance and health.
- Make a paste of few drops of coconut milk mixed with 6-7 peeled almonds.
- Apply this as a face mask for about 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with cold water.
Doing this 2-3 times a week will improve your skin health and reduce the signs of aging significantly.
6. Restores Dry, Damaged Hair
Coconut milk, when used regularly on dry and damaged hair helps restore its shine. It also helps treat dandruff on the scalp.
- Place unsweetened coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight to thicken it a little.
- In the morning, apply the milk from roots of the hair to the tips, section by section.
- Leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes and shampoo as you normally would.
Coconut Water
Open a coconut and the juice you’ll find inside is the coconut water. It taste like water that slightly sweet with a light coconut flavor. Although, it can be a refreshing ingredient in cocktails and juices that often contain water.
1. Rehydrates the Body
Coconut water is an excellent thirst quencher. Because of its electrolyte composition, coconut water is also used to rehydrate the body in case of dehydration and fluid loss due to diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
2. Coconut Water Lowers Blood Pressure
Coconut water is considered good for controlling high blood pressure, thanks to its vitamin C, potassium and magnesium content. Potassium, in particular, helps lower blood pressure by balancing out the negative effects of sodium.
3. Coconut Water Promotes Weight Loss
Coconut water is an ideal drink for weight loss. It is low in calories and easy on the stomach. In fact, this light and refreshing drink contains various bioactive enzymes that aid digestion and boost fat metabolism.
Excess sodium in the body tends to cause water retention, contributing to water weight. Thus, coconut water helps flush out excess water as well as toxins from your body.
4. Treats Headaches
Most headaches, even migraines, are triggered by dehydration. In such cases, coconut water can be of great help in supplying electrolytes to the body and boosting hydration.
5. Natural Diuretic
Coconut water acts as a natural diuretic. Thus, it promotes urine production and flow, cleansing your body of toxins. It also helps prevent problems such as urinary tract infections.