Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is the thick white liquid extracted from mature coconut meat. Known for its characteristic creamy texture and sweet taste, coconut milk has gained popularity as a wholesome drink among health enthusiasts. Undoubtedly possessing an array of benefits, coconut milk should still be consumed on a moderate basis for a number of considerations.

Read further and discover more about the pros and cons of coconut milk and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends moderate consumption of this source of hydration to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.

Coconut Milk’s Benefits:

Coconut milk and other products from this plant like coconut oil have long been vilified for their high saturated fat content. While indeed true, it’s crucial to note that the type of saturated fat present in majority in coconut milk and other coconut products are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), and not long-chain triglycerides (LCTs). Unlike the latter, MCTs have a simpler molecular structure making them more soluble in water and easier to transport from the small intestines to the liver for conversion to ketones, which the muscles utilize for energy. Because this is the case, the body’s energy expenditure is improved, and because the MCTs get pretty much used up, very little is left to deposit in fat tissues.

Coconut milk consumption may be beneficial for individuals with cognitive disorders as well. In the case of Alzheimer’s Disease, for instance, the brain’s capacity to utilize glucose, its main energy source, is severely impaired. Because this is the case, the brain lacks “food” to function optimally, thus leading to symptoms like memory loss. Providing the brain with an alternative energy substrate in the form of ketones has shown preventive and therapeutic effects, as demonstrated in studies conducted in 2004 and 2008.

Coconut Milk’s Risks:

Majority of coconut milk brands are packaged in cans. These cans are lined with the synthetic compound bisphenol A or BPA to prevent corrosion. BPA leaches into the packaged food. The more acidic or fatty the packaged food, the latter which is the case with coconut milk, the higher the levels of leached BPA.

BPA’s suitability for use in a host of consumer products is continually being debated in light of numerous findings linking it to a host of illnesses. In Canada and the European Union though, the use of BPA in the making of baby bottles has already been banned.

With 93% of US adults found to have measurable levels of BPA in the urine, it’s even more crucial to educate yourself as to the harmful effects of this synthetic compound. Found to mimic the function of hormones, BPA has been associated with the development and subsequent worsening of hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.

High urinary BPA levels in American adults have been consistently linked to peripheral arterial disease, too. Continued exposure may also lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus because of its capability to bring about insulin resistance. BPA is also associated with childhood obesity as well as early onset of menstruation in American girls.

Consider opting for coconut milk brands packaged in cartons to minimize your exposure to BPA. Alternatively, you can extract coconut milk from coconut flakes with the use of your trusty blender and cheese cloth.

Also, coconut milk contains specific carbohydrates or sugars that may cause stomach upset. Individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or fructose malabsorption and who likely follow the Low FODMAP Diet, are advised to steer clear of coconut milk consumption.

In the next post, I’ll tell you the pros and cons of raw, grass-fed cow or goat’s milk and why you should drink it moderately to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.

In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of drinks to avoid as well as consume regularly and moderately on the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Drink:

• Filtered Water
• Soda Water
• Coconut Water
• Kombucha
• Greens Drinks or Powders

Moderate:

• Non-Caffeinated Teas
• Coconut Milk
• Raw, Grass-Fed Cow or Goat’s Milk
• Kefir
• Sports Drinks
• Smoothies (With Natural Ingredients)
• Arabica Coffee Regular and Decaf
• Caffeinated Tea (includes Green Tea)
• Anti-Oxidant Drinks or Powders
• Rice Milk

Avoid:

• Almond Milk
• Red Wine
• Energy Drinks
• Flavored Waters
• Soda
• Soy Milk
• Regular Cow’s Milk
• Instant Coffee
• Blended Coffee
• Lattes
• Mochas
• Beer
• Mixed Drinks
• Hard Alcohol

If you have questions, comments or feedback about the pros and cons of coconut milk, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the pros and cons of coconut milk.