Balance November 2017 - 51

NUT CASE

DON'T
BE SHY

Coconut
crazy

Many swear by its oil, nectar
and milk - but are coconuts
really all they're cracked up
to be? Balance investigates...

FAT-BURNING FACTS

SWEET SOMETHINGS

MILKING IT

HEART-HEALTHY?

Can coconut oil help you to lose

You may have noticed coconut

Coconut milk is a good

Coconut oil is undoubtedly high

weight? A 2009 study indicated,

sugar among the many sugar

alternative to milk for vegans,

in saturated fat - but is this fat

it could. Fans claim that, even

alternatives in health shops.

or anyone avoiding lactose. The

the heart danger it was once

though coconut oil is packed

While there's no such thing as

slightly thicker, tinned version

considered? 'Some research

with more saturated fat than

a healthy sweetener, it's fine

is great for adding to quinoa

has suggested coconut oil

butter (and beef dripping),

to have in moderation.

to make a rich, protein-dense

can increase levels of good

porridge - or add it to lentil

HDL cholesterol and lower

dahls to make them more filling.

the unhealthy LDL form,' says

Don't forget coconut yogurt,

Robert, although he cautions

around half that fat is lauric acid

Technical and commercial

which can be converted more

nutritionist, Shona Wilkinson

easily into energy, so doesn't get

says 'Coconut sugar has a low

stored around your belly.

glycaemic index rating which

either - delicious on its own

there's not enough evidence to

means you'll avoid those highs

as a snack or blended with

make solid heart health claims.

of energy followed by slumps.

other ingredients, such as lime,

Healthspan nutritionist Robert
Hobson is unconvinced. 'Those

When hot, coconut oil

people who took part in the

avocado and agave to make

remains stable, and therefore

trial had already begun a weight

a scrumptious dairy-free

doesn't smoke or become toxic.

loss regime before they started

frosting for cakes.

'It helps flavour dishes such

using coconut oil,' he says. 'The

as curries and stir-fries. And it's

only thing that really boosts your

a myth that coconut oil is high

metabolism is exercise.' But, he

in cholesterol. That's a hormone

says, eating small amounts of

made in the bodies of humans 	

coconut oil (no more than 20g

and animals and it isn't found
in plant foods.' B

a day for women and 30g
for men), plus protein
and high fibre
foods is the best
approach for
weight loss.

DRINK IT UP
There's a reason your hot yoga studio's fridge
is packed with coconut water - it contains
potassium, a mineral that can be lost during
exercise, particularly if you're sweating heavily.
Plus, if you struggle to drink plain water, guzzling
WORDS: CHARLOTTE HAIGH IMAGE: STOCKSY

coconut water's a great way to get hydrated. But
check your choice doesn't include added sugar.

T HR EE O F THE BE ST
1. Nutiva Coconut
Manna, 425g, £10.99
An ideal 'everything'
spread to replace
cream, cream cheese
and butter in vegan
baking. Has a deliciously
buttery texture.
nutivauk.com

2. Dr Organic Virgin
Coconut Oil Lip Balm,
5ml, £3.79
This soothing lip balm
gives instant relief from
dryness, and helps
protect against UVA
and UVB rays.
hollandandbarrett.com

3. Rebel Kitchen Dairy Free
Organic Coconut Yogurt,
Original, 125g, £1.99
Tastes like a natural yogurt
but without the dairy.
Made with live vegan
cultures for an authentic
yogurt tang.
rebel-kitchen.com

November 2017 BA LA N CE

REAL
TASTE

51
http://www.nutivauk.com http://www.hollandandbarrett.com http://www.rebel-kitchen.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance November 2017
