Coconut Flour

There are lots of folks who have decided for one reason or another to go gluten and/or wheat free. This often means that they cannot digest the wheat properly because of its gluten content. With such a large number of foods that contain wheat or wheat products, it can be a daunting process trying to eliminate everything that has wheat and gluten in it. Coconut flour is one alternative that people can use.Coconut flour has a number of things going for it.

High Fiber - Fiber is very important in digestion and elimination. Coconut flour is 75% fiber. Fiber is important for cleansing and detoxifying the body.

Gluten Free - It is a good substitute for folks who want to go gluten free. It has a sweet and delicious taste.

Digestion - Coconut flour has lots of nutrients that can benefit your heart. It is low in digestible carbs so people do not have the insulin spikes that come with high carbs. It appears to have regulating properties for blood sugar levels.

Protein and Healthy Fats - Coconut flour has 19 grams of protein in a 100 gram serving. Wheat flour has only ten. The healthy fats provide instant energy. Coconut flour is antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal.

There are some things to be aware of when baking with coconut flour. The flour is very dry and needs more moisture than grain flours. Use equal portions of liquid and coconut flour. If you do not use enough liquid your product will be dry and crumbly. Some cooks add several eggs to help things stick together. Often it works well to mix the flours. Use 1/4 the amount of flour in your recipe as coconut flour and use another non gluten flour like almond meal or sprouted spelt for the rest.

Sources:
http://blog.radiantlifecatalog.com/bid/59284/What-are-the-Health-Benefits-of-Coconut-Flour
http://www.livestrong.com/article/28183-health-benefits-coconut-flour/
http://draxe.com/coconut-flour-nutrition/

For more information check out my website at www.valerielull.com. I have recently published a new book in digital form called Ten Spices For Health and Longevity. You can go to my website or you can order it from Amazon.com

Valerie Lull

Author

Ten Spices for Health and Longevity

valerielull923@gmail.com

Coconut Oil - The Miracle Food

In recent times coconut oil has come to the forefront as a wonderful health food. The old thinking is giving way to new thinking that this saturated fat is a good saturated fat and should be part of a healthy diet. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides. That means that they are metabolized differently. They go from the digestive system straight to the liver where they are used as quick energy which can have therapeutic effects.

Coconut oil is consumed a lot in other cultures, particularly the South Pacific. These peoples are very healthy. Coconut has been a part of their diet for generations and they have thrived on it with no sign of heart disease. Some research has been done on coconut oil for Alzheimer's Disease. The preliminary results are promising.

Another advantage is that coconut oil helps you to burn more fat. The medium-chain triglycerides increase energy expenditure and can lead to significant weight loss over the long term. Coconut oil contains lauric acid. This kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. It can help to stave off infections. It also reduces appetite so you can eat less.

Coconut oil can protect you hair from damage, it can moisturize skin and work as a sunscreen. It is used extensively in shampoo, soap and beauty products. It is very good for dry skin and can be used in massage as a massage oil.

Coconut oil is also used for diabetes, chronic disease, Crohn's disease, thyroid, energy, and boosting the immune system. There is one warning for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Coconut oil is good in amounts normally used in cooking, but the safety of coconut oil in large amounts is not known. It is best not to overdo it.  

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1092-coconut%20oil.aspx?activeingredientid=1092&activeingredientname=coconut%20oil

My new website is up and running. Check it out at www.valerielull.com  My next book, Ten Spices for Health and Longevity should be out in about a month. It will be an ebook on Amazon Kindle. If the response if good I will later release it in paperback. Have a wonderful summer.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com