Coconut milk tasty, but high in fat and calories
Q. Is coconut milk high in saturated fat?
A. Yes, regular coconut milk is extremely high in saturated fat, It is also high in calories. Just ½ cup contains roughly 250 calories and between 20 to 25 grams of saturated fat -- at least a day's worth.
As a more healthful alternative, try using small amounts of light coconut milk to retain that distinct taste with much less fat. Keep your portion to ½ cup and you'll get just 50 calories and 4 grams of saturated fat.
Wide-sweeping Internet claims that the fat in coconut milk and coconut oil offers distinct health benefits are not supported by sound research.
Q. Is it true that cinnamon can help control blood sugar?
A. Although some research is promising, we need larger trials before we have a more definitive answer.
Some studies show a modest reduction in blood sugar with consumption ranging from a ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon daily to 1 tablespoon. Other studies show no effect.
Consequently, do not use cinnamon in place of a prescribed blood sugar medicine. It is also premature to turn to cinnamon supplements.
Do not use cinnamon medicinally without first consulting your doctor either. Cinnamon naturally contains a compound called coumarin, which at high levels can damage the liver and function as a blood-thinner. This compound can pose serious trouble for anyone taking anti-clotting medicines (such as Coumadin).
Yet irrespective of its effects on blood sugar, cinnamon adds delicious flavor to many foods and may provide some additional health benefits through its antioxidant phytochemicals.
Q. Is there any difference in the antioxidant levels of regular and decaf coffees and teas? Also, despite the antioxidant benefits, isn't the caffeine still bad for you?
A. Compared to decaf, regular green tea contains about three times as much EGCG, the antioxidant phytochemical that has shown cancer-prevention effects in some laboratory studies. Similarly, decaf black tea, which contains another, less-studied antioxidant called theorubigin, also has lower amounts (about 50 percent less) than its regular counterpart.
Limited research suggests that chlorogenic acid, one of the main antioxidants in coffee, may be lower in decaf coffee as well. However, even with decaf versions, the true antioxidant benefits you receive depends on how much you drink.
As for concerns about caffeine, when consumed in moderation, it may not be as bad as you think. Some studies now suggest that caffeine's purported role in increasing blood pressure may not be linked as strongly to coffee and tea. Note that people with sleep difficulties, however, do need to be careful about the amount and timing of caffeine consumption.
Also, most health experts suggest that pregnant women limit total daily caffeine from coffee, soft drinks and other sources to about 300 milligrams, the equivalent of three 6-ounce cups of regular coffee.