Why are cooked tomatoes better than raw?

Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical, which is responsible for the beautiful red color of the tomatoes. Besides this, lycopene is an excellent antioxidant that has been effective in preventing cancer. Studies have found that the content of lycopene increases when tomatoes are cooked as compared to raw tomatoes. In other words, eating tomatoes in the cooked form is much healthier than raw tomatoes.

Why are cooked tomatoes BETTER?

The lycopene content of fresh tomatoes is 0.88-7.74 milligrams/100 grams, whereas tomato ketchup contains 9.9-13.4 milligrams of lycopene/100 grams.

Cooking or processing tomatoes causes loss of water, which increases the lycopene concentration. Tomatoes should always be cooked fresh to get its maximum benefits.

But, wrong processing and storage techniques can also lead to the loss of lycopene. Exposure of cooked tomato products to light and air (oxygen) can degrade the lycopene present in them, thus making and preserving the tomato product less desirable and unfit for consumption.

Lycopene is present in the bound form in tomatoes. When tomatoes are cooked, the bonds are opened, and lycopene is released from the bonds, thus, the bioavailability of lycopene increases. Hence, whenever you consume a cooked tomato, you benefit more because more lycopene becomes available to your body.

Lycopene is a fat-soluble compound. Besides cooking, the addition of fat to tomato products improves the availability of lycopene. For example- adding oil to tomato salads and soups increases the entry of lycopene into the blood as compared to tomato salads and soups without oil. An interesting study found that tomato salsa when consumed with avocado, led to a 4.4 folds increase in lycopene absorption as compared with salsa without avocado. This is possible because fat present in avocado enhances the availability and absorption of lycopene present in tomatoes. (1)

Final verdict:

Cook your tomatoes to get your dose of lycopene. Make sure you combine it with foods that are naturally high in fat, like avocado or add some olive oil to your salads and soups.

How to Lose Weight in the Right Way

With the presence of so many FAD diets in the market, people often get confused what to follow and what not to follow when it comes to weight loss. FAD diets help you in losing weight initially, but once you switch back to your normal diet, you gain double the amount of weight, which you had lost before. Therefore, it is important to follow a healthy diet, which is not too harsh on your body

Healthy Tips to Lose Body Fat

Here are some simple and healthy tips to lose body fat:

Do Not Skip Meals

People often think that, if they eat less they will lose weight. Skipping meals or fasting creates a calorie deficit, which makes you look lean on the weighing scale. In fact, you lose your muscle mass, which makes you weak, dull and sluggish. That is why skipping your meals is not a good weight loss strategy. Moreover, you may end up eating more after fasting or skipping meals.

Eat Small and Frequent Meals

You should eat small and nutritious meals every 2 hours to kick-start your metabolism, which will enhance fat loss. Add a small snack between two large meals. For example- between breakfast and lunch have a fruit.

Eat Home-Made Foods

Home-made food preparations are better than restaurant foods and packaged foods. You can prepare healthy meals by adding less oil to it. Besides this, home-cooked foods do not contain chemicals, preservatives and high salt content like packaged foods.

Eat A Balanced Diet

Make sure you choose healthy foods from all food groups in the right quantity. Eat fiber-rich whole grains, low-fat, protein-rich pulses, and legumes, low-fat dairy products, lean meat, fresh fruits and vegetables. The nutrients which you get from all the above-mentioned food groups further help in weight loss and boosts metabolism.

Portion Control

Anything in excess is not good, not even water. Make sure you eat all food groups under portion control. Here are some tips, which will help you:

• Start your meal with a salad. Dietary fiber present in vegetables make you feel full and the amount of whole grains will reduce automatically, which in turn reduces your caloric intake
• Drink water before your meals
• Use smaller plates and bowls for eating. By reducing the size of your plates and bowls, you even reduce the amount of food consumed. Hence, this is a smart strategy to eat less and lose weight.

Eat Slowly

When it comes to weight loss, slow eaters benefit the most. Slow spaced eating increases satiety or fullness and reduces hunger pangs. Such a strategy helps in weight loss because it keeps the hunger pangs at bay.
Your appetite and food intake are regulated by hormones. Once you finish eating, your gut releases anti-hunger hormones and suppresses the hunger hormone ‘ghrelin’. These hormones then send a message to the brain, letting it know that you have finished eating, this further makes you feel full, reduces your appetite and you stop eating.
This entire process takes approximately 20 minutes. When you eat quickly, your brain does not receive signals about your appetite and fullness, thus you end up eating more. Hence, slow eating can make you win the weight loss race.

Limit Your Intake of Refined Sugar and Salt

Sugar-laden foods and beverages are less filling, and they contain more calories, which is the major cause of weight gain. Hence, cutting down on your sugar intake may help you in weight loss. Salt on the other hand, retains water, which would show up on the weighing scale. Therefore, it is better to stay away from the excess of salt and sugar.

10 Days Sample Weight Loss Diet Plan

Here is 10 Days diet plan for losing weight:

Breakfast Options

• Option 1: 1 bowl skim milk with oats (no sugar, drizzle honey on top)
• Option 2: 1 bowl skim milk with sugar-free muesli
• Option 3: 1 roti + 1 bowl subzi + 1 bowl curd
• Option 4: 1 bowl skim bowl with wheat flakes (no sugar, drizzle honey on top)
• Option 5: 1 roti + 1 egg
• Option 6: 1 bowl broken wheat porridge (without sugar, can drizzle honey on top)
• Option 7: 1 vegetable paratha + 1 bowl curd
• Option 8: 1 roti + 1 glass milk (without sugar)
• Option 9: 1 bowl poha + 1 glass milk
• Option 10: 1 bowl vegetable upma + 1 glass milk

Mid-Morning Snack Options

• Option 1: 1 fruit
• Option 2: 4 almonds
• Option 3: 1 walnut
• Option 4: 1 glass buttermilk
• Option 5: 1 cucumber

Lunch Options

Compulsory- 1 big bowl of fresh vegetable salad without dressing. You can add lemon juice

• Option 1- 1 vegetable or low-fat paneer paratha without oil/ ghee with 1 bowl curd
• Option 2- 2 medium roti + 1 bowl dal + 1 bowl subzi
• Option 3- 2 medium roti + 1 bowl mixed sprouts subzi + 1 glass buttermilk
• Option 4- 2 medium roti + 1 bowl pulses
• Option 5- 1 bowl brown rice + 1 bowl subzi + 1 bowl curd
• Option 6: 1 bowl brown rice + 1 bowl dal
• Option 7: 1 bowl brown rice and dal pulao + 1 bowl vegetable raita
• Option 8: 2 roti + 1 bowl chicken curry (2 pieces)
• Option 9: 2 roti + 2 pieces steamed fish
• Option 10: 2 roti + 1 bowl egg curry with 2 egg whites

Mid-Evening Snack Option

• 1 fruit

Evening Snack Option

• Option 1: 1 small bowl boiled corns
• Option 2: 1 bowl puffed rice with veggies
• Option 3: 1 khakra
• Option 4: 1 cup milk
• Option 5: 1 bowl low-fat curd

Dinner Options

1 bowl of fresh vegetable salad is compulsory

• Option 1: 1.5 spinach or any other green leafy vegetable roti + 1 bowl dal
• Option 2: 1.5 roti + 1 bowl sprouts subzi
• Option 3: 1.5 roti + 1 bowl low fat paneer subzi (3-4 pieces paneer)
• Option 4: 3/4 bowl steamed brown rice + 1 bowl curd
• Option 5: 3/4 bowl sprouts and brown rice pulao + 1 bowl curd
• Option 6: 1 bowl sprouts soup + 1 roti + 1 bowl subzi
• Option 7: 1 bowl spinach soup + 1 roti + 1 bowl dal
• Option 8: 3/4 bowl brown rice vegetable pulao + 1 bowl sprouts raita
• Option 9: 3/4 bowl brown rice + 1 bowl steamed sprouts + 1 bowl curd
• Option 10: 1 bowl vegetable dalia pulao + 1 bowl curd

Bedtime

• If hungry, 1 cup plain milk

Bhringraj Powder

Bhringraj Powder is a fine powder of dried Bhringraj plant. It includes all parts of Bhringraj plant including roots, stem, leaves, and flowers. Therefore, it is a natural form of Bhringraj and safe to consume for a longer period. It is used for medicinal purposes in ayurveda. It benefits in hair growth, liver disorders, high cholesterol level, etc. It is a well-known home remedy for hair growth and liver disorders.

It has a long history of its clinical uses in ayurvedic medicine and folk remedies. It promotes hair growth, prevents hair fall, detoxifies the blood, improves skin health and boosts liver functions. It is good for eyes and improves eyesight.

Benefits and Uses of Bhringraj Powder

1. Bhringraj power has hepatoprotective properties. It benefits to improve liver functions, reduces accumulated fat from the liver, and improves metabolism.
2. It also acts on the stomach and detoxifies Pitta (gastric juices) and improves digestion.
3. It encourages hair growth and prevents premature graying of hairs. Generally, Bhringraj Oil is applied to the scalp for this purposes on regular basis. In addition to oil, one can also apply the Bhringraj paste to the scalp for hair discoloration treatment. Generally, for this 1 part of Bhringraj Powder and 1 Part of Jatamansi Powder and 1 part of Amla powder are mixed together. And then mixed with water to make a paste. This paste is applied to the scalp to blackening hair.
4. It is also used to treat whitening of hair. Along with Triphala Powder, it is given to restore the natural color of hair. This remedy is recommended for 3 months.
5. It also aids in skin diseases. It detoxified the blood and improves skin health. In Ayurveda, it reduces Ama and prevents several diseases. It makes skin vibrant, younger and healthier. It also boosts wound healing process.
6. In a headache and migraine, it is given with goat’s milk. In addition to it, its juice and goat’s milk is instilled in the nose to reduce severe pain occurring in a migraine.
7. It reduces symptoms of hyperacidity and GERD. It reduces burning sensation, heartburn, sour belching, indigestion, and In this case, it is given along with Haritaki Powder and jaggery.
8. It is a rejuvenating medicine in ayurveda, which means it helps to delay aging, prevent diseases and restoring energy in the body. In the form of Rasayana (rejuvenation), it also increases memory, intelligence, and digestive health. For rejuvenation purposes, it is taken with cow’s ghee and brown sugar.
9. It is also a good remedy for chronic fever characterized by low-grade fever, fatigue, and In some cases of chronic fever, the patient develops splenomegaly (spleen enlargement) and liver functions get disturbed. It reduces inflammation in the spleen and liver. Thereby, it restores their natural functions.
10. Its powder is used along with honey in a productive It helps in easier expectoration of mucus and sputum accumulated in the lungs and airways. Thus, it helps to provide relief from a cough and chest congestion. It further prevents mucus formation and regulates respiratory functions. It also provides relief from breathing troubles occurring due to the accumulation of excess mucus in the airways.
11. Bhringraj powder improves eyesight. In ayurveda, it is used along with Saptamrit Lauh or Amla and Yashtimadhu Churna.
    

What is Marham?

Marham is a form of medication used for the local application in the Unani system. It is an ointment having a semi-solid consistency. These medications are used for external use. They are prepared by using wax or fat to achieve the consistency as well as to allow for an easy application of the medication on the skin. However, in most cases, the wax is used in place of fat as the shelf life of the final product is reduced when fat is added to the formula.
Marham is an ancient invention, which is believed to be formulated much before the Hippocratic period. It was used to treat the skin diseases and ulcerative conditions.
Preparation Method of Marham
The preparation of each Marham may vary depending on the ingredients used. To begin with, all the seeds or parts of the herbs are soaked in water at night. Then, the mixture is mashed well in the morning to get a mucilaginous product. Then, the powders of the remaining herbs are added to this mixture and stored well.
This mixture is then cooked on fire for the recommended period while stirring continuously with a wooden stick to prevent the contents from sticking to the bottom of the vessel. In some cases, the powders of all herbs are simply mixed together and then, this mixture is cooked.
The vessel is taken off the heat when only oil remains. It is, then, filtered and stored well. This mixture can be used for local application. The addition of wax or fat to the mixture is done at different stages for each medication.
Some of the most commonly used forms of this medication are Marham Hina, Marham Dakhleun, Marham Zangar, and Marham Ral.

Dosage in Ayurveda

he amount that needs to take for getting therapeutic benefits is called dosage. It represents the quantity of medicine that patient should take. It can be in numbers, grams or ml. For example,

1. For Vati and Gutika (tablets), the dosage is recommended in numbers. For example, Take 1 tablet or 2 tablets.
2. For Avaleha or Lehyam, the dosage is recommended in grams or teaspoons. For example, take 5 grams or 1 teaspoon.
3. For liquids, the dosage is advised in ml. For example, take 15 ml to 30 ml for Asava an Arista or take 5 ml of any syrup.

In ayurvedic classical texts, the dosage is also recommended as “Low Normal Dosage to High Normal Dosage”. It is the possible range of dosage, which your doctor can prescribe. This range is usually given for adult patients

Frequency of Taking Medicine

ow often you should take any medicine is called frequency. For example, your doctor may ask you to take medicine once a day or twice a day.

Your doctor may write this in abbreviations:

Frequency	Abbreviations	Full Form
Once a day	Q.D.	QUAQUE DIE
	OD	OMNI DIE
Twice daily	B.I.D. OR BD	BIS IN DIE
	BDS	BIS DIE SUMENDUM
3 times a day	T.I.D.	TER IN DIE
	TDS	TER DIE SUMENDUM
4 times a day	Q.I.D.	QUATER IN DIE
	Q.D.S.	QUATER DIE SUMENDUS
Every 4 hours	Q.Q.H.	QUATER QUAQUE HORA
Every other day	Q.O.D.	QUAQUE ALTERA DIE
	EOD	EVERY OTHER DAY
Every night	Q.N.	QUAQUE NOCTE
Every night at bedtime	Q.H.S.	Q.H.S.
Every hour	Q.H.	QUAQUE HORA
As needed	P.R.N.	PRO RE NATA

The doctor should not use abbreviations for advising frequency of taking medicine. The most of health organizations prohibit it for safe medical practice and better understanding for patients. 

Benefits of Coconut Milk for Hair

With the presence of so many hair care products in the market, it becomes difficult to decide, which product is suitable for your hair. To deal with this dilemma, it is always best to choose natural products which come without any chemicals.

One such natural product, which you could use to improve your hair’s appearance, texture and growth is ‘coconut milk’. You must have heard about the extensive use of coconut milk in food preparation, but besides this, coconut milk is an excellent hair-care product too.

Benefits of Coconut Milk for Hair

Let’s have a look at the hair benefits of Coconut Milk, this miraculous liquid:

Natural Hair Conditioner

Are you tired of spending a lot of money on different hair conditioners and hair treatments, then you must surely try this natural conditioner. Coconut milk is a rich source of fat, which makes the hair soft, fights rough hair and deeply conditions it. Fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin E, present in it brings shine and softness to your hair. It makes your hair soft and supple and adds shine to it.

Promotes Hair Growth

Nutrients present in coconut milk, like magnesium, copper and selenium promote hair growth by maintaining the integrity of cell membranes present in the hair follicles. Protein present in coconut milk strengthens your hair and encourages healthy hair development. It prevents hair loss and adds volume to the hair, which improve the overall appearance of your hair.

Improves Scalp Health

Dry scalp may lead to dull and rough hair and in such cases, hair fall is common. Nutrients and healthy compounds present in coconut milk increase the blood circulation to hair follicles via scalp. Blood delivers oxygen, vitamins and minerals to the hair and thus, stimulates hair growth and reduces hair fall. Applying coconut milk to the scalp will moisten and hydrate the scalp and may further help you in getting rid of dry scalp.

Fights Bacterial Infection

Bacterial and fungal infection of the scalp may cause redness, itching and irritation of the scalp. It further affects the hair growth and may even lead to hair fall and negatively affect the texture and volume of your hair. Coconut milk possesses antimicrobial and anti-fungal activities. Application of coconut milk may help in clearing the bacterial and fungal infection of the scalp. It strengthens the roots of the hair, nourishes them and improves the circulation of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood towards the scalp. As the health of the scalp improves, hair fall, and other hair problems automatically disappear.

Restores Dry and Damaged Hair

Massaging your scalp and hair with coconut milk for 5 to 10 minutes help in restoring the dry and damaged hair. Coconut milk possesses excellent moisturizing properties, which helps in healing brittle hair and split ends. Thus, coconut milk can be used as an excellent tonic for dry scalp and damaged hair.

How to Use Coconut Milk for Hair Growth

Apply warm coconut milk on your hair and wash it after 30-45 minutes. You can repeat this twice a week. This acts as a natural hair conditioner and softener.
Some more amazing coconut milk combinations to improve your hair health include:

• Equal parts of coconut milk and curd for softness
• Coconut milk and honey for shine and luster
• Coconut milk and aloe vera gel for hair growth and thickness
• Coconut milk and gram flour or besan hair pack for hair cleansing
• Coconut milk and fenugreek seeds paste to prevent hair fall and hair loss
• Coconut milk and egg for hair growth and overall nourishment

Note: The positive effects of coconut milk on hair health will appear only after you apply coconut milk alone or in combination with other ingredients regularly. Irregular application of coconut milk will not help.

Health Benefits of Coconut Milk

Coconut milk has recently gained a lot of popularity. Vegans from different parts of the world are in love with coconut milk and have made it a major ingredient of their diet. It is a tasty alternative to cow’s and buffalo’s milk and it provides an array of health benefits to human health.

What is Coconut Milk & how is it obtained?

Coconut milk is a thick, creamy and rich white-colored liquid obtained from the inner white flesh of mature coconuts, which are brown in color on the outer side.
It is a traditional part of the Southeast Asian cuisine and is widely used in their various food preparations.
Just like its other relatives; coconut oil and coconut water, coconut milk is among the world’s healthiest super foods.

Note: Do not confuse coconut water with coconut milk. Coconut milk is obtained from the inner white coconut meat.

Nutritional Facts

Coconut milk is a good source of plenty vitamins and minerals. One cup or 240 grams contain approximately 552 calories. It is a moderate source of protein and rich in fat. Coconut milk is a fair source of vitamin C and vitamin B9 or folic acid. It is a good source of essential minerals, including:

• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Iron
• Copper
• Manganese
• Selenium

Research has also found that coconut milk contains certain proteins that have unique beneficial effects on human health.

Health Benefits of Coconut Milk

Here are some evidence-based health benefits of coconut milk. Let’s have a detailed look at what research has to say about coconut milk.

Improves Lipid Profile

When it comes to cholesterol, people often think that coconut milk is a rich source of saturated fatty acid and it may be unhealthy, but this is not true. Though this milk contains saturated fat, it does have other healthy compounds in it that help in the management of cholesterol.

Having an altered lipid profile puts a person at an additional risk of developing heart diseases and stroke. Coconut milk helps in increasing the HDL cholesterol, which is also known as the good cholesterol and reduces the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.
The proteins present in the kernel are responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect of coconut milk. These proteins increase the degradation of cholesterol in the liver and decrease the synthesis of cholesterol in the intestine. It further reduces the esterification of cholesterol, which in turn decreases the transport of cholesterol in the blood.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Coconut milk comprises of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). During the process of digestion, MCFA are easily broken down and absorbed in the body. They can be converted to ketones, which are an alternative energy source for the brain.
Ketone bodies are beneficial for individuals with memory impairment, as seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Deposition of a protein called ‘amyloid’ in the brain, causes degeneration of brain cells and leads to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Ketone bodies help in reducing the amyloid levels and further protect against neuronal damage.

Hence, coconut milk may be helpful in improving memory performance and cognition. However, more studies are required to confirm this effect of coconut milk.

Fights Ulcers

Gastric ulcers are painful sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach. Studies have observed that coconut milk has a soothing effect and it helps in ulcer control. This milk reduces the size of the ulcer by combating the negative effects of pro-inflammatory compounds.
C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker that induces gastric inflammation and is associated with higher risk of gastric ulcers. Coconut milk helps in lowering C-reactive protein and counteracts its negative effects on the health.
It further increases the production of mucus, a slimy layer that coats the inner lining of the stomach and protects against the onset of ulcers.
Thus, individuals with gastric ulcers must start consuming coconut milk for quick relief and effective treatment.

Rich in Antioxidants

Compounds present in coconut milk exhibit strong antioxidant properties. The maximum of its health benefits are attributed to its antioxidant action. A glass of coconut milk along with other antioxidant-rich foods may boost the immunity and rebuild the damaged cells of the body.

Oxidative stress is associated with increased risk of diseases. Being rich in antioxidants, coconut milk scavenges the free radicals, breaks their chain reaction and suppresses oxidative stress. It prevents free radical damage and protects the healthy cells of the body against destruction and death.
Studies also suggest that the antioxidant content of coconut milk is higher than other types of milk.

Anti-Bacterial Properties

Coconut milk is an effective agent, when it comes to fighting bacterial and viral infections. Such a property of this milk is attributed to the presence of ‘lauric acid’ in it. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which in the body gets converted to ‘monolaurin’, a highly beneficial compound.
Monolaurin shows anti-bacterial effects against a wide range of harmful bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, which causes infections of the skin and the gut. Monolaurin inhibits the dangerous action of bacteria and viruses and kicks them out of the body.

Heart Health

Coconut milk benefits to support heart health by lowering the bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol.
Antioxidants present in it inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and decrease the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.

Besides this, coconut milk contains essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, which help in keeping the blood pressure under control. These minerals further help in controlling the electrical activity of the heart and play an important role in every heartbeat and contraction.
Because coconut milk contains so many compounds that are vital for heart health, it should definitely be on your food list.

Lactose-Free

Coconut milk is a popular choice among individuals with lactose intolerance. Unlike cow’s and buffalo’s milk, coconut milk does not contain lactose, hence such individuals can easily substitute dairy products with products made from coconut milk.

How to Make Coconut Milk At Home

Coconut milk is produced when manual or mechanical force is applied to the coconut meat. You can purchase it from the market or easily prepare it at home. Here is a simple and quick procedure to extract coconut milk:

• Take 2 cups of grated coconut in a mixer or a blender jar
• To this add 3 cups of water and blend it till the coconut is ground well
• Strain this mixture in a muslin cloth and collect the thick coconut milk in a bowl
• Put back the coconut residue in the mixture and add 2 cups of water
• Repeat the same procedure again if you want thin coconut milk
• Your fresh coconut milk is ready. You can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but it is best to consume it fresh. Shake well before use

Precautions

Homemade coconut milk is a perfect choice. If you don’t prepare it at home, you might have to buy it from the market. Now, here starts a problem. Canned coconut milk may contain Bisphenol-A (BPA), which is not good for the health.

Where to Buy BPA free Coconut Milk

The following brands don’t contain BPA:

• Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk
• Arroy-D Thai Coconut Milk

FAQs About Coconut Milk

Here are some frequently asked questions about coconut milk:
Is coconut milk a dairy or a non-dairy product?
Because it is called coconut ‘milk’, some people may think of it as a dairy product, but it is completely different from a dairy product. As mentioned above, coconut milk is obtained from the inner flesh or meat of the coconut, and it is not derived from the milk of animals. In fact, it is a healthy and delicious alternative to cow’s or buffalo’s milk.
Is coconut milk healthy?
Coconut milk is a healthy milk with a rich, creamy texture and a natural sweet taste. The presence of proteins, healthy fat and health-promoting compounds in it makes coconut milk is nourishing liquid. It has great ability to fight against infections, heart diseases, gut issues and boosts immune system. Coconut milk benefits in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, ulcer and heart disease. Because coconut milk offers so many health advantages, it is definitely healthy.
Note: Anything in excess is unhealthy, even water! Coconut milk when consumed in the right amount, for example 1-2 servings per day in the form of milk and coconut yogurt is beneficial for human health.
Is coconut milk vegan?
Coconut milk is obtained by squeezing the inner flesh of the coconut. Because it comes from a plant, it is 100% vegan. This dairy-free milk can be safely consumed by vegans all around the world.
Is coconut milk fattening?
Coconut milk contains saturated fatty acid, many people may wonder if it is healthy or unhealthy for the human body. Scientific studies have found that fat present in the coconut milk does not cause a detrimental effect on the lipid profile in the general population. In fact, it is beneficial because it helps in lowering LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and increasing HDL ‘ good’ cholesterol. It is further found that, medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) present in coconut milk suppress appetite and help with weight control. Therefore, if consumed in the right quantity and portion control, coconut milk is not fattening.
Is coconut milk good for hair?
Besides, improving the health of your inner organ systems, coconut milk is beneficial for your hair too. This multi-purpose miraculous milk promotes hair growth and enhances the texture and appearance of the hair. Essential nutrients present in coconut milk help with the treatment of dry and itchy scalp. Coconut milk also acts as a natural hair-conditioner, which adds volume to your hair and prevents hair fall too.
Is coconut milk good for diabetics?
Unsweetened- no added sugar, home-made, low-fat coconut milk is suitable for diabetics.
Is coconut milk lactose free?
Lactose is a sugar present in the milk, obtained from the animals. Because coconut milk comes from a plant source, it does not contain lactose and it is completely safe for individuals with lactose intolerance.
How many calories are present in coconut milk?
100 ml full-fat coconut milk contains 230 calories.
Can you heat coconut milk?
Coconut milk tolerates heat and you can heat or boil it. However, boiling it for a long period of time will make it thicker and creamier due to its high fat content, so pay attention while you boil it. Hence, coconut milk can be easily used for the preparation of hot coconut milk-based beverages.
Can you drink coconut milk every day?
Yes, healthy individuals can drink coconut milk every day. Because it is high in calories and fat, one should be mindful about the portion size. You can consume 1 serving of coconut milk per day. Individuals who are underweight can even consume 2 servings per day.
What can I cook or prepare with coconut milk?
Coconut milk is a versatile liquid, which can be used in savory as well as sweet preparations. Just like cow’s milk, you can use coconut milk to prepare:

• Masala tea
• Soups
• Gravies and curries
• Shakes
• Yogurt
• Desserts
• Dips and sauces

What desserts can you make with coconut milk?
The rich, creamy texture of coconut milk makes it an excellent ingredient for desserts. You can use coconut milk to make desserts like:

• Pudding
• Custards
• Ice creams
• Cakes
• Coconut milk chocolate mousse
• Creamy coconut milk Smoothies
• Fruity coconut yogurt

What can you bake with coconut milk?
You can easily replace cow’s milk or cream mentioned in a recipe with light or full-fat coconut milk. All you need to do is read the recipe carefully. Substitute coconut milk in equal parts as mentioned in the baking recipe.

• If the recipe requires cow’s milk, you can replace it with light coconut milk.
• If the recipe requires heavy cream, you can replace it with full-fat coconut milk.

You can use coconut milk to bake cakes, cookies, tarts and puddings.
Can coconut milk help you lose weight?
Coconut milk intake along with caloric restriction may help in weight loss. Coconut milk contains fat in the form of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are easy to digest and they are not stored in the body. It suppresses appetite and thus, it reduces food intake and entry of excess calories into the system. Hence, coconut milk can help in weight control.
Note: Be mindful about how much coconut milk you consume. Excess of anything is not good.
How much coconut milk can we take per day?
1 serving per day for healthy individuals and 1.5-2 servings for individuals who are underweight.
What is size of 1 serving of coconut milk?
The standard size of coconut milk serving is 150 ml