Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is used in many Thai meals, and is the primary source of vegetable fat in the Thai diet. Thai Gold Organic Coconut Milk is a premium product that contains 18% coconut oil and is taken from the virgin pressing of the coconut kernel. Coconut Oil is now being accepted as one of the world's most beneficial products, with comprehensive research showing some remarkable qualities that differentiate it from almost all other types of fats.
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil was given a bad rap over many years, however research has now proven that this was unjustified, and was mainly as a result of the competition from many oils such as corn and rapeseed oils that were grown in the rich countries with vested interests. As far back as the 1940s it was shown that when animals were fed with coconut oil to build weight and fat contents, the opposite actually occurred, with animals fed on coconut oil actually becoming leaner, more active and carrying lower levels of body fat. Coconut oil saturated fats are easily digested by the body and produce energy quickly. Consequently there is less time for the fats to be absorbed by the body and obesity levels are reduced.
Saturated Fats
Coconut oil contains the healthy form of saturated fat, it does not form dangerous trans fatty acids that even olive oil does. Thai Gold Organic Coconut Milk contains 6% of a saturated fat called lauric acid. Lauric and capric acids found in coconut are converted to monolaurin and monocaprin in the body. These compounds have been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal activity, acting against various bacteria, HIV and herpes viruses, and the protozoan Giardia. Monolaurin also helps the uptake of essential omega acids into the tissues, which may account for why the Thais have such beautiful velvet skin. Coconut oil strengthens the immune system and helps development of the brain and nervous system. Coconut oil can help fight cancer and heart disease as well as promoting healthy bone growth. Coconut oil may protect the liver from the damaging effects of alcohol and improve the anti-inflammatory response of the immune system.
Cholesterol
Coconut milk, like most plant extracts, contains no cholesterol. More than this however is the impact upon cholesterol that eating coconut oil has. As far as the evidence goes, it suggests that coconut oil, added regularly to a balanced diet, lowers cholesterol to normal by promoting its conversion into pregnenolone.
The following links provide further information on the health benefits of coconut oil.