How to Make Your Own Coconut Milk

There are so many benefits to drinking coconut milk. It is so delicious on top of oatmeal, with your breakfast cereal, and in shakes.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elanaspantry/4519426688/

Here are a few benefits of the delicious, aromatic milk:

1. Helps to maintain blood sugar places:

   Glucose intolerance may cause manganese deficiency in your body. Coconut milk is a rich source of manganese. Whole grains, legumes and nuts are some other excellent sources of manganese.

2. Keeps skin and blood vessels flexible and elastic:

   Copper is a very important mineral for most of the bodily functions. Copper and vitamin C help to maintain the flexibility and elasticity of the skin and blood vessels.

3. Aids in building strong bones:

   Coconut milk is not rich in calcium, but it is rich in phosphorus. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that the body needs for strengthening bones. It is must to take phosphorus with calcium particularly to prevent bone loss because it supplies phosphate to the body.

4. Helps to prevent anemia:

   Lack of iron is the most common nutrient deficiency among the people throughout the world. Iron deficiency in body does not allow the body to develop enough hemoglobin for keeping sufficient oxygen levels in red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Each cup of coconut milk supplies the body with nearly a quarter of daily value of iron.

5. Relaxes muscles and nerves:

   Whenever you feel muscle cramps or muscle soreness, have some food along with coconut milk. It is rich in magnesium and can help you in relieving the problem. One of the functions of magnesium is it acts as a gate block in many nerve cells. If magnesium is not present in body, nerve cells become very active because of calcium that activates nerves. Excess contraction of muscles is caused by over-active nerve cells.

6. Helps in Controlling Weight:

   This can be good news for people who are trying to reduce weight. Coconut milk makes you feel full very quickly because of high concentrations of dietary fiber.

7. Decreases the risk of joint inflammation:

   Selenium is an important antioxidant. It controls the free radicals and thereby helps in relieving the symptoms of arthritis. It is observed that people with low levels of selenium may suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Helps in lowering high blood pressure:

   People who are concerned about their blood pressure will not face any problem consuming foods containing potassium. Potassium helps in lowering blood pressure levels in the body.

9. Helps in maintaining healthy immune system:

   Coconut milk helps in warding off colds and coughs by keeping the immune system healthy. It supplies vitamin C to the body which boosts the immune system.

10. Promotes the health of prostate gland:

    Zinc plays a vital role in promoting the health of prostate gland. A preliminary study showed that it slows down the activities of cancer cells.
    
    
    How to Make Your Own Coconut Milk
    
    

    What you'll need:

    • Cheesecloth (found at any grocery store in baking section)
    • 1.5 cups boiling water
    • A Blender
    • 1 cup of shredded coconut (preferably organic)
    • Large bowl
    • Mason jar or other small glass storage container
    
    

    Directions:

    1. Pour shredded coconut into blender.
    2. Add 1 cup of boiling water.
    3. Blend for 2-3 minutes.
    4. Lay Cheese cloth on top of bowl (so that it drapes over sides)
    5. Carefully pour mixture on top to strain.
    6. You can squeeze the cheesecloth holding and squeezing over bowl.
    7. Repeat process, buy placing shredded coconut back into blender, and adding remaining .5 cup of boiling water.
    8. Store in air tight container such as a small mason jar.
    9. Refrigerate, and enjoy!
    
    It is simply the most delicious milk you'll ever have!
    
    ~Sizza