It used to be thought that because coconut oil is saturated it is therefore bad for your health - but this is not so. Past research was often based on hydrogenated coconut oil, rather than virgin coconut oil, thus giving a false impression that it was fattening and bad for health. Also, it was not realized that some saturated fats end up as surplus body fat while others get used up as energy or broken down to unsaturated fats, depending on their atomic structure.



Modern research shows coconuts to be a valuable source of healthy nutrition. About a third of the white coconut flesh is fat, and most of this fat (92%) is technically classed as saturated. However, this saturated fat is mostly made up of MCFA's (fatty chains that get burnt up as energy rather than being stored as body fat). Because of this, coconut oil/fat is increasingly used in weight-loss regimes.

The MCFA's in coconuts are rich in lauric acid, the most important essential fatty acid in maintaining and building the body's immune system. Apart from coconut oil, the only other source of lauric acid found in such high concentrations is human breast milk.

For the weight conscious, coconut milk provides a good source of nutrition in any weight loss regime. This is because the saturated fat molecules are made up of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids that are quickly assimilated by the body - they are not stored as surplus fat in the body like the long chain fatty acids in dairy milk.

'One of the remarkable things about coconut oil is that it can help you lose weight.' Dr. Mary G. Enig, (Ph.D. in nutritional sciences), USA.

'In tests, animals which ate just a little pure unsaturated oil were fat, and animals which ate a lot of coconut oil were lean. The anti-obesity effect of coconut oil is clear.' Dr. Raymond Peat (scientist and biochemist), USA.

So although coconut milk may be high in so-called saturated fat, it is a good source of nutrition in any weight loss regime because most of the fat is used up as energy instead of being stored as fat. Coconut milk contains calcium and good for your bones, it is highly nutritious, and it helps build up a strong immune system to ward off disease and illness.

All the recent research is showing that coconuts are rich in many vitamins, minerals, and health promoting oils.

Making coconut milk at home is quick and easy once you know how, and no special apparatus is required. When you experience the cool, luxurious, super-delicious taste of coconut milk you will always want to have it.