Do you know how many additives are added to a coconut milk?
The answer depends on the product you are buying. If you choose an all-natural or pure coconut milk, you may find little to no additives in the product.
If you choose plain coconut milk, you may find yourself buying a product which contains different additives.
(Always check to see what the product contains.)
A coconut milk without additives is a product which lets you enjoy the taste and all the nutritional benefits of this item.
The taste and maybe the shelf life of an additive-free and a coconut milk with additives may differ.
The big question is how additives affect the quality of the product and our health, in the end.
Everything you need to know about food additives
What are food additives?
Food additives are natural or synthetic materials and ingredients used in a food product for different purposes. It can enhance its taste or change certain characteristics of the product.
In other words, additives are any other ingredient besides the raw basic ones.
There are different categories of food additives:
- preservatives
- stabilizers
- thickening agents
- food coloring
- emulsifiers
- anti-oxidants
Products which contain only raw ingredients may be a healthier option. Unrefined Celtic sea salt is a good example.
What health concerns are related to additives?
Food additives are approved by different authorities, depending on the country and region you live in. In the US, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for this.
Although the additives you see on the packages are approved by this authorities, some of them are linked to health problems.
This puts under a big question mark not only the additives, but also the regulations used to approve them.
Some dangerous additives may be added only in small quantities. This makes them not very harmful to consumers’ health.
Other additives are only dangerous when they combine with other chemicals such as sulfites, nitrites.
In some cases, there is research done only on rats and rodents, with little to no information related to human effects.
In general, additives have been linked to:
- allergic reactions and asthma
- nausea, diarrhea
- headaches and neurological problems
- increased chances of weight gain (which can lead to other health problems as well)
- great risk of heart diseases
- cancer
Coconut milk without additives benefits
With so many additives added to almost every product, an additive-free one is a breath of fresh air.
Coconut milk without additives is usually a pure product loaded with healthy fats and precious nutrients. Consuming it can bring you some great benefits.
No harmful additives
As its name says it, this coconut milk does not contain any additives.
This means you will be enjoying pure coconut milk without worrying about possible side effects or dangers to your health.
Make sure you always check the product before buying it. Read the ingredients list to see if it’s pure coconut milk, if it’s sweetened or if it contains anything else.
Some products may say coconut milk without additives, but things may be different in reality.
The same goes for chemical-free products such as chemical-free makeup.
Enjoy all the nutritional benefits of the coconut milk
Coconut milk is loaded with nutrients, vitamins and healthy fats. Some of them are:
- lauric acid
- potassium
- phosphorus
- magnesium
- iron
- manganese
The first, lauric acid, helps you maintain a healthy heart, improve blood pressure and lower your cholesterol levels.
Consuming coconut milk without additives in recommended doses may help you solve digestion problems, control diabetes and blood sugar, prevent anemia, ulcers, and arthritis.
Excellent for vegans and lactose-intolerant consumers
If you are a vegan, vegetarian or have lactose intolerance, coconut milk without additives can be an excellent choice for you.
The product is dairy, lactose, and soy free.
You can use it in different foods or simply drink it. Just remember it has a strong coconut flavor.
If you’re interested in veganism and related products, check out the vegan hair brush.