Coconut Flour

Coconut Flour Benefits:

• Coconut flour contains an impressive nutrient profile. It is high in protein, fibre, fat, iron, potassium, among other nutrients. Overall, it is especially high in manganese. Manganese is an essential nutrient that our bodies need to function properly. It’s essential because our bodies can’t make it naturally and we need to consume it from foods. This mineral is often found in nuts, seeds, and legumes. It serves to support bone function and improve the absorption of other nutrients in our bodies such as choline, thiamine, biotin, and vitamins C and E. It also contributes to protein and amino acid digestion and can improve the metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Our coconut Flour is an excellent flour substitute if you’re trying to keep your sugar levels stable. Coconut flour generally has a glycaemic index of 51 which is quite low in comparison with other wheat flours so that means it is less likely to cause a spike in blood sugar. Coconut flour is also known as a fantastic source of both insoluble and soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is a type of fibre that works to form a gel during digestion and results in numerous health benefits, one of which is regulating blood sugar levels. High-fibre foods are recommended for those who experience spikes in blood sugar from foods because they regulate the speed at which sugar enters the bloodstream.
• Another benefit of a high fibre content is that coconut flour works well to promote healthy digestion. The soluble fibres and fermentable fibres feed the good bacteria in our guts that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which serve to nourish our gut cells. SCFAs are so important to our digestive system because they have the power to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms of gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The insoluble fibres found in coconut flour contributes to helping our food move smoothly through our gut, adds bulk to stools, and helps to prevent constipation.
• Coconut flour can help our bodies combat harmful viruses and bacteria! Coconut contains a high amount of lauric acid. This is a type of fat that can fight infections. During digestion, lauric acid joins with glycerine to create a compound known as monolaurin, a well-known by-product of coconut fat. Studies show that the combination of lauric acid and monolaurin works to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi in our guts that have the potential to be harmful.
• It’s better for your heart! Coconut flour has been a game changer for those who suffer from high cholesterol. Again, this is down to the fibre content but also due to the lauric acid we just mentioned. The fibre found in coconut flour works to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood triglycerides. Triglycerides are fats that your body stores for later, but might not necessarily use. Some people who have a high level of triglycerides are at risk of developing a heart disease that could be fatal. The lauric acid actively kills the bacteria that causes a build-up of plaque in our arteries. Again, if someone was diagnosed with a lot of plaque in their arteries, they would be at risk of developing a serious heart disease.
• Coconut flour can help you lose weight! As we already know, coconut flour is a strong source of both fibre and protein. These are two excellent nutrients that can contribute to weight loss. It has been shown that a high-fibre and high-protein diet can reduce hunger and appetite by making you feel fuller for longer. As well as that, coconut flour is a source of MCTs (medium chain triglycerides). These are a partially man-made fat that have been arranged to travel directly to your liver and used for energy production immediately. MCTs have been found to also reduce appetite effectively and helps your body to burn slightly more calories.