Coconut cream adds a savoury taste to curries, desserts and cakes.

That's because it enhances the aroma and tastes of the dishes and can be obtained easily and cheaply. Coconut cream and milk are alike, one is in a kind of paste form, the other is watery form.

However, people avoid coconut cream because of its high fat content. Above all, people who are trying to slim down.

But do you know that it is good saturated fat which can be easily metabolised or turn into energy fast? That means it does not cause blockages in our arteries.

I'm not suggesting you to indulge in coconut cream, but rather than avoid it altogether, it is alright to eat in moderation. The principle fatty acid in coconut milk is lauric acid, which is the same fat found in abundance in mother's milk.

After it turns into monolaurin, it strengthens your immune system and shields you from many illnesses like hepatitis C, herpes and even HIV!

It also protects our brain and bones.

It also has important anti-carcinogenic and anti-pathogenic properties which helps to prevent cancer. More importantly, coconut cream is less likely to cause weight gain than polyunsaturated oils. Never know coconut cream can be so good right?

You can buy pre-packed coconut cream in supermarkets. For unfinished portion, keep it in fridge but use it within a week. Also, do not freeze coconut milk as this causes it to curdle when you next use it in cooking.

Try different brands of canned coconut milk to find the one to your liking. Those with thick cream floating on top of the can with the watery milk below it are proofs that they are not artificially homogenized.

Virgin Coconut oil

Extracted from fresh coconut milk and meat, virgin coconut oil has such an aromatic and flavourful taste that it is used in many

Just like coconut cream, coconut oil reduces bad cholesterol unlike polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower and safflower oils.

Though it is a monosaturated oil, it has been found to have lower calorie count relative to other oils of the same type.

Hey ladies, this is great news for you ! Guess what - coconut oil actually increases metabolism and facilitate weight loss !

In places like South Pacific Islands and the Philippines, people are healthier because they consume more coconut and palm oils which are abundant.

Look at our society today - we pile high on our plates food equally high in carbohydrates and polyunsaturated oils which increase our risk of heart diseases and diabetes. Yet we complain about our weight and poor health. It's a shame !

However, coconut oil is different from other animal oil. Studies have found that it aids in lowering blood pressure and regulate thyroid dysfunction.

Unlike refined oils, it does not turn rancid easily and become toxic to our bodies.

If you have damaged hair, try using coconut oil on your hair and scalp. Compared with mineral oil and sunflower oil, it is more efficient in healing damaged hair. That's because coconut oil is the only oil among the three which effectively reduces protein loss in hair.

Virgin coconut oil is an excellent beauty care product too. Here are some benefits :

1) it penetrates and moisturises the skin

2) minimise damage from sun exposure that causes sagging, wrinkling and blemishes

3)removes dead skin cells, producing an even texture and glow

4) heals damaged or diseased skin

Sometimes, wonderful remedies can be within your reach and in abundance, only if you look hard enough.

In this case, it is the Coconut.