What’s not to love about coconut yogurt?

HOME-MADE Coconut yogurt, an alternative yogurt for the lactose-intolerant —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

During the pandemic, I discovered coconut yogurt through a food group on Facebook.

I was delighted to learn that the health buff behind it is MM Vazquez, a stellar graduate of Enderun Colleges who used to welcome guests to the famous Philippine steakhouse Mamou. MM is an absolute charmer whom you can talk with for ages about anything under the sun, especially about food.

Sometime during the pandemic, MM decided to go on a lifestyle change and bought a yogurt maker. Her then boyfriend, now husband Haz de Leon, created a coconut yogurt using this machine. Their friends loved this so much that they encouraged MM to sell it.

Hence came the birth of Thrive and Co., specializing in home-made coconut yogurt that uses clean, tasty and filler-free protein powder. Aside from the product being non-dairy, they also avoid plastic and use glass containers, with customers given the option to return the jars for reuse.

Since they started selling this product, they have also started to be recommended by nutritionists and doctors, especially for those who are lactose-intolerant who need a kick in their probiotic requirement or who need to go on a plant-based diet.

Here are some health benefits of coconut yogurt:

1. It boosts your immune system. Coconut yogurt provides one’s immune system with a much-needed boost to protect against viruses since it contains lauric acid, which is valued for its antimicrobial/antiviral properties.

2. It lowers inflammation. Coconut is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce pain and swelling in the body.

3. It is rich in nutrients. Coconut yogurt contains essential vitamins such as A, B12 and E. Additionally, coconut yogurt can provide magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc, which are all important minerals for optimal health maintenance. Compared to Greek yogurt, coconut yogurt has nearly 75 percent the amount of Vitamin B12, comparable amounts of vitamin B2 or riboflavin and higher amounts of calcium. Coconut yogurt is also high in manganese, a mineral that is vital to bone health.

4. It is lactose-free. Coconut yogurt is perfect for those who are lactose-intolerant as it is naturally sweet from the small amount of healthy sugar naturally found in coconut, so you won’t feel like you are missing out!

5. It is considered a probiotic. Coconut yogurt is packed with many of the same probiotics found in regular yogurt including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. However, since these come from the coconut fruit, coconut yogurt becomes an excellent alternative for vegans and those following a Paleo diet to get a boost in digestive health.

If ingested in adequate amounts, probiotics may improve intestinal function as well, protect one from infections, reduce the risk of colon cancer and lower serum cholesterol.

6. It is a good source of healthy fats. Note though that coconut yogurt is relatively high in fat compared to traditional dairy yogurt, i.e., most coconut yogurts contain around 6 grams of healthy fat per 100-gram serving. So if you are watching your total fat consumption, coconut yogurt may not be the best choice for you. Nevertheless, coconut yogurt is a good source of healthy fats. Coconut oil, in particular, contains medium-chain fatty acids known to improve the digestive system and which also boost the immune system.

7. It’s also a great source of fiber, which is essential for digestive health.

8. Finally, it supports skin health. Together with this vitamin B nutrient, coconut yogurt contains a variety of other vitamins and minerals that can help with the production of collagen, reduce inflammation, protect skin from sun damage and hydrate your complexion.

Thrive and Co. has also recently expanded their selection to include mango and vanilla flavors. For these flavored versions, they use all natural ingredients as well.

With all these, what’s not to love about coconut yogurt? Make it a part of your new diet and let me know if it helps you thrive!

Thrive & Co. 0917442 6407; Instagram @thriveandco.ph. Made fresh weekly, cut off for orders on Wednesdays 9 pm, pickup/delivery every Saturday.