Coconut milk has been proved to be the next best to breast milk by Dr Josh Axe, a renowned US nutrition specialist. The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is now set to promote it as a health drink as well as an ingredient for cooking. It has taken up the job to position coconut juice/milk as a natural health drink. It has also produced flavoured varieties at its production centre.
According to studies, dairy milk contains lactose — a type of sugar that is difficult for many people to digest — which is missing in coconut milk.
“According to Dr Axe, in situations when a baby is not getting breast milk or needs additional supplements — in countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam — coconut milk is widely used in place of cow milk,” said CDB chairman T.K. Jose.
Coconut juice is produced by extracting the pulp from the ripe coconut.
“In some countries, it is called coconut milk while in other countries it’s known as coconut juice. We have developed this technology and it is available for transfer,” said Jose.
“In three months’ time, coconut producer companies in our state will enter mass production of this wonder health drink,” he said.
According to CDB officials Annie Eapen and Aneeta Joy, flavoured coconut juice has a nil cholesterol level besides an energy value (per 100 ml) of 75 Kcal, with a total fat of 1-3 per cent and carbohydrate of 15-16 per cent.
“After Neera (a health drink produced by tapping coconut shoots), coconut milk/juice is going to be the biggest saving grace for our farmers as these products will enable a fair price for coconuts,” Jose added.