If you are trying to clean up your lifestyle and follow the Kaufmann Diet plan, you have probably found the many alternative flour choices you can use for your baking and other recipes. There are many to choose from, including almond, cassava, buckwheat, and hazelnut flours. But what about Coconut flour?
All of these flours health benefits far outweigh those of processed flours, but my personal favorite for baking is coconut flour. When I learned to bake with this impressive ingredient, a whole new world of possibilities opened up to me!
Coconut flour is made from dried coconuts and ground into a fine flour particle. In the right recipe, it is light and airy which makes it a wonderful choice for cakes, muffins, and pancakes.
Coconut Flour Benefits
1. Aids in Metabolism
Medium chain fatty acids (MCTs) are healthy saturated fats that the body uses for energy and to balance blood sugar. Coconut flour contains high levels of MCTs.
2. Promotes Healthy Digestion
The special blend of fats and fibers are known to aid the body in regulating digestion. Specifically, coconut flour can help keep you regular.
3. Aids in Heart Health
Studies have shown that coconut flour can help lower LDL and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol levels. This is specifically due to the amounts of soluble and insoluble fibers and MUFA fat content.
4. Safe for Diabetics
Unlike conventional flours, coconut flour doesn’t affect blood sugar dramatically and cause a spike like other flours. It can actually reduce the effects other foods might have on your blood sugar levels.
5. Friendly for Weight Loss
The calorie load of coconut flour is a positive for those of us who are watching our weight for a couple of reasons. Coconut flour has fewer calories than most nut flours, but also the amount of flour needed for baking is much less than the other flours.
6. Contains manganese
Manganese is an important mineral for vitamin absorption in the body and works closely with Hormone D in protecting your bones.