What Is Coconut Milk?

Coconut milk comes from the white flesh of mature brown coconuts, which are the fruit of the coconut tree.

The milk has a thick consistency and a rich, creamy texture.

Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines commonly include this milk. It’s also popular in Hawaii, India and certain South American and Caribbean countries.

Coconut milk should not be confused with coconut water, which is found naturally in immature green coconuts.

Unlike coconut water, the milk does not occur naturally. Instead, solid coconut flesh is mixed with water to make coconut milk, which is about 50% coconut water.

By contrast, coconut water is about 94% water. It contains much less fat and far fewer nutrients than coconut milk.

Effects on Weight and Metabolism

There’s some evidence that the MCT fats in coconut milk may benefit weight loss, body composition and metabolism.

Lauric acid makes up about 50% of coconut oil. It can be classified as both a long-chain fatty acid or a medium-chain, as its chain length and metabolic effects are intermediate between the two.

But coconut oil also contains 12% true medium-chain fatty acids — capric acid and caprylic acid.

Unlike longer-chain fats, MCTs go from the digestive tract directly to your liver, where they’re used for energy or ketone production. They are less likely to be stored as fat.

Research also suggests that MCTs may help reduce appetite and decrease calorie intake compared to other fats.

In a small study, overweight men who consumed 20 grams of MCT oil at breakfast ate 272 fewer calories at lunch than those consuming corn oil.

What’s more, MCTs can boost calorie expenditure and fat burning — at least temporarily.