There are 34 Calories in One Tablespoon Of Pure Coconut Milk.
Is coconut milk good for you?
Coconut and coconut oil are superfoods. Coconut is one of the most healthy, amazing things you can ingest.
People in Asia and the Pacific Islands whose diets are high in coconut oil have low levels of chronic disease- cancer, heart disease etc. The fat in coconut is actually good for you.
This book explains the science in detail, but the basic idea is that the fatty acids in coconut are easier to metabolize, are are different from the fatty acids in other forms of saturated fat.
Read more about this:http://blog.peertrainer.com/tip_of_the_day/2010/05/is-coconut-bad-for-you-because-it-contains-saturated-fat.html
Coconut Milk is Rich in Medium-Chain Triglycerides
One cup of canned coconut milk contains 48g of fat, 43g of which are saturated. Saturated fat is not all the same, however! Almost 90% of the saturated fat in coconut milk is in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (also known as medium chain fatty acids).
Medium chain triglycerides are absorbed intact through the small intestine and are much more readily burned for energy instead of being stored! They are also much more satiating, so less fills you up more. The net result of a diet high in medium chain triglycerides is increased energy burning and decreased food consumption, resulting in better chances for weight loss!
The remaining fat in coconut milk comes from oleic acid, the heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) found in olive oil, and a small bit of linoleic acid, a plant-origin omega-6 fatty acid.
One cup of canned coconut milk also contains 6g of carbohydrates and 5g of protein. Due to the extremely high content of fat vs.protein and carbohydrates, canned coconut milk cannot be considered a good source of protein or carbohydrates.
Coconut milk is high in iron and manganese, as well as magnesium and copper. One cup of coconut milk has 7.5mg iron, 1.7mg manganese,104mg magnesium, and .5mg copper.
Coconut milk also contains a number of phytochemical compounds:
Alkaloids
Alkaloids are phytochemicals with often stimulatory effects and bitter taste. A few examples of alkaloid compounds include theobromine and caffeine. Coconuts do not contain enough alkaloid compounds to give you a buzz,but they will still help play an important role in your health.
Saponins
Saponins are a type of glycoside, a broad group of chemical compounds which include the sweet-tasting compound found in stevia and also quercetin, the powerful phytonutrient found in onions and garlic. Saponins can have both positive and negative effects, but inclusion of them in your diet can help lower blood cholesterol, reduce blood sugar, and may help reduce risk of cancer as well.
Terpenoids
Terpenoids are responsible for many of the bright colors and wonderful scents of different plants. Lycopene, found in tomatoes, is aterpenoid, as is menthol from mint. Terpenoids are potent antioxidants, and coconut milk is a great source of them!
The Down-Low
While you might not want to consume an entire can of coconut milk in one sitting, it is a great source of some powerful phytochemicals and medium-chain triglycerides! Using coconut milk as a part of a recipe ensures you will get a good supply of easily burned fat, making it a great food to use to help lose weight.
References:
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/132/3/329.full
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/096399699390069U
http://www.academicjournals.org/ijppb/PDF/PDF%202011/20%20Oct/Odenigbo%20and%20%20Otisi.pdf
