The Health Benefits of Coconuts

The Health Benefits of Coconuts

Recently, coconuts have been christened as the new miracle food. Learn about the Benefits of Coconuts: It is no surprise, to be honest, as coconuts are extremely nutritious, rich in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Coconuts can be found in everything from culinary creations to ‘magic’ beauty potions these days. There is no doubt that many find coconuts tantalizing, and for good reason, as coconuts can be used as both food and medicine.

Coconuts boast many heath benefits and some of the most notable include the fact that coconuts support immune system health. Coconuts are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasite. Coconuts also improve digestion and absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Coconuts are also full of electrolytes, and provide a natural source of quick energy plus they have been known to help enhance physical and athletic performance.

 

Coconuts are also well-known for promoting good cholesterol which is great for heart health. They also boost thyroid function and help to stabilize metabolism. It has also been proven that coconuts can improve insulin secretion and symptoms associated with diabetes, as well as providing relief to bladder infections.

 

More important health benefits of coconuts come from using the coconut by-product of coconut oil. Coconut oil is fantastic and it helps keep hair and skin healthy and youthful looking. It also helps to prevent wrinkles and age spots as well as provides sun protection.

 

When it comes to buying coconuts, fresh coconuts can be either young or mature. Young coconuts are typically found in Asia, and although we have both varieties here in Phuket, it is the young coconut that is the more health enhancing of the two as it contains more water and soft, gel-like meat. Mature coconuts have firm meat and less water.

 

As mentioned earlier in this article, coconut water is full of electrolytes. If you are not aware, electrolytes are responsible for keeping the body hydrated so that nerves and muscles can function normally. It really is more beneficial to drink coconut water from a young coconut after an intense workout rather than sugary sport drinks we often see advertised on television.

 

All of us at Santosa Detox and Wellness Center consider ourselves lucky that there is an abundance of fresh coconuts here on the island of Phuket, where we are located. We have an ample supply of coconuts on offer for our guests to enjoy after their fitness classes, yoga classes, spa treatments and during their detox programs.

 

If you are interested in learning more about the health benefits of coconuts, or exploring a detox at our center located high in the hills of Kata overlooking the spectacular Kata Beach, simply fill out the enquiry form below and a dedicated member of staff will get back to you. We look forward to speaking to you about our health journey over a fresh young coconut!

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Vegan 5-Course Christmas Menu at Santosa Phuket

Vegan 5-Course Christmas Menu at Santosa Phuket

This year we are offering a 5 Course Christmas Menu at our Vegan Restaurant in Phuket.

The Christmas Dinner will be available on 24th, 25th and 26th.
Book your Table below.

1. STARTER

Avocado salad with pomegranate, coriander and veggies

or

Gluten Free Maize Polenta with ‘Morelline’ Olives

2. SOUP

Italian ‘Porcini ‘vellutata’ (creamy mushroom soup) with a touch of thyme

3. PASTA

Fantasy of fresh homemade ‘Tagliatelle’ in a sauce of mixed seasonal vegetables with fresh parsley and rosemary

Rosse (Beetroot) Red- Beetroot

Verdi(spinaci) Green – Spinach

Gialle(Tamarindo) Yellow – Tamarind

4. MAIN

Battered Vegan Skewers slightly fried and then oven baked

5. DESSERT

oven baked RED APPLE with cinnamon, hazelnuts, granola, sultana (raisins) and chocolate.

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Price: 1250 thb per person

Book your Table now, just fill in the Form below:

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Spectacular Superfood Spirulina

Spectacular Superfood Spirulina

When it comes to superfoods, it is quite possible that the superfood spirulina is one of the best. Not only is it incredibly good for you, but spirulina is also loaded with nutrients that can have powerful effects on both the body and brain.

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What exactly is spirulina? Spirulina is a cyanobacterium. Essentially, spirulina is an organism that grows in both fresh and salt water. It is a blue-green algae that can be consumed by humans and other animals. Spirulina is often used as a dietary supplement and a whole food and is available in tablet, flake and powder form.

Spirulina is extremely high in nutrients including protein, copper, iron, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B3. It also contains traces of magnesium, manganese and potassium as well as small amounts of almost every other nutrient that our body needs. Spirulina truly is a spectacular superfood and perhaps the single most nutrient-dense food on the face of the earth. Isn’t that both unbelievable and absolutely fantastic?

The main active compound found in spirulina is called phycocyanin. It is an antioxidant substanceSpirulina that also gives spirulina its blue-green color. More importantly, phycocyanin has the ability to fight free radicals in the body. This means that it has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect our DNA and cells.

Spirulina is also good for our hearts, which is great news considering Heart Disease is currently the world’s biggest killer making it a problem for everyone. However, it has been proven that taking spirulina can lower the bad cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol. This is wonderful news for our heart health.

Other benefits of spirulina include the fact that it has anti-cancer properties and is exceptionally effective in protective oral health and fighting oral cancer, studies have shown that high doses of spirulina lower blood pressure and spirulina can also improve symptoms of inflammation in the nasal airways caused by environmental allergens such as pollen and animal hair.

The bottom line is that spirulina is one of the most amazing superfoods known to mankind and to be frank, it is probably the best plant-based organism that we can consume on a daily basis. What are you waiting for?

Spectacular Superfood Spirulina in Phuket

Are you interested in learning more about the spectacular superfood spirulina? Why don’t you stop by our vegan restaurant and give it a try? The restaurant at Santosa Detox and Wellness Center serves modern vegan food and raw food in a tropical setting that boast spectacular sea views over Kata Beach. While dining with us, we recommend you try our delicious vegan soup Yogic, which is a nutritious cucumber and basil gazpacho with ginger and garlic that contains the superfood Spirulina. Restaurant reservations can be made by filling in the simple enquiry form below.

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Guidelines to Eating a Healthier Diet

Guidelines to Eating a Healthier Diet

Although intended for health professionals and policymakers, the 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the edition that was released in January 2015 outlines how people can improve their overall eating patterns. The Dietary Guidelines are a great way to know the combinations of foods and drinks that should be prevalent in one’s diet.

 

Raw Pad Thai

 

Each of these three patterns emphasizes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. The Mediterranean-style diet cuts out dairy and focus on adding in more fresh seafood and fruit to one’s diet, while the vegetarian-style diet recommends higher amounts of soy products, lots of nuts and seeds, legumes and whole grains.

 

true colors for diet

Some interesting recommendations can be found in the guidelines, but these recommendations should be taken as fact. The recommendations include lowering the daily intake of sugar to less than 10% of a person’s daily caloric intake, moderate consumption of caffeine in adults, lowering the sodium intake to less than 2.300 mg per day while interestingly enough the new guidelines do not put any limit on cholesterol or fat. However, people should still be mindful of the cholesterol-containing foods that they consume and focus on eating foods with less cholesterol and fats.

 

Lastly, although it is not explicitly laid out in the Dietary Guidelines, people should be well aware that there is a need to cut red meat from their diet. If you are a meat-eater, eat red meat in moderation and in its place try fresh seafood, fish cuts such as salmon and tuna, or other white meats like pork. These are all much better for your overall health.

 

Dietary Guidelines and Healthy Eating Habits in Phuket

If you are looking to make a change in your current diet or would like to start incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet as well as build healthier lifestyle habits, look no further than Santosa Detox and Wellness Center. Located in Kata Beach on the tropical island of Phuket, Thailand, Santosa is the island’s premier detox and wellness center. We offer a variety of healthy activities and programs at our center including yoga, pilates and Zumba. Santosa also features a wonderful vegan restaurant with stunning views. The vegan restaurant is conducive to the Dietary Guidelines, and it is a great place to start implementing fruits and vegetables into your diet. The vegan restaurant offers a delicious, nutritious vegan buffet every Wednesday and Saturday evening.

 

If you are interested in learning more, simply fill out the enquiry form and a member of our wellness staff will get back to you. We look forward to welcoming you to Santosa Detox and Wellness Center.

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New Menu Launch at Santosa Vegan Restaurant

New Menu Launch at Santosa Vegan Restaurant

Exciting changes are afoot at our wonderful vegan restaurant within the Santosa Detox and Wellness Center complex as a new menu launch is set for the 5th of September 2016. Furthering on our successful vegan dishes, the new menu highlights a whole food plant based diet rich in delicious new menu options.

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A whole food plant based diet is a diet that is based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. It often excludes or minimizes meat, eggs and dairy products as well as refined foods such as flour, sugar and oil. A whole food plant based diet is a healthy diet, one that is good for your body and your longevity.

Often times, people have the misconception that a healthy diet, or a vegan or whole food plant based diet, consists of only being able to eat boring meals of salads and leafy greens. This misconception is completely wrong. Just because something is good for you does not mean that it can’t be delicious, too!Relax

Our new menu includes a wide variety of innovative new dishes featuring fresh and exuberant flavors. For example, our new menu starter Peace features raw cauliflower, bean sprouts and and black olive tapenade, and it’s enhanced with the super food sesame seeds. It is a light and delicious appetizer. Our unique soup Yogic is a refreshing cucumber and basil gazpacho with cilantro and lime as well as Spirulina. The soup packs a flavorful punch to the palate. A creative spin on a local Thai favorite View is a raw Pad Thai dish featuring sweet and sour hints of tamarind.

The new menu at Santosa Vegan Restaurant also features some out of this world dessert; yes, dessert can be healthy! Made from ingredients such as pistachio nuts, mangos, and cacao, our raw cheesecakes are to die for! We are also now offering an assortment of vegan ice cream and sorbet choices, available in one, two or three scoops for good measure.

YogicWith the launch of the new menu, we also launch an exciting addition to our ever-popular vegan buffet. Starting the 5th of September, our vegan buffet will now be offered on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Now, there are two reasons to eat healthy each week! If you have not yet tried our vegan buffet, please do make a reservation and come and see for yourself what all of the fuss is about. Fresh, local ingredients are made into wholesome, innovative, delicious and best of all, healthy, meals. Stop in on Wednesday or Saturday to enjoy the spectacular sunset views and see what all of the fuss is about!

Santosa Vegan Restaurant in Phuket, Thailand

If you are interested in sampling some of our menu items or booking a spot for the vegan buffet, simply fill out the enquiry form below and a member of staff will get back to you. Here at Santosa, we believe that it’s possible for healthy eating to taste good and we are excited for you to experience our fantastic restaurant and tasty menu items. We look forward to welcoming you to Santosa Vegan Restaurant high in the hills above Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand.

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Spectacular Superfood Spirulina

Superfood Spirulina

It is green, it is good for you and it boasts a fair share of health promoting properties. Coined as a superfood, Spirulina is a natural algae that is rich in Chlorophyll, and much like verdant plants, gets its energy from the sun.

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Spirulina is a 100% natural algae powder. The powder is incredibly high in protein and also a fantastic source of B-vitamins and antioxidants. Spirulina is harvested from non-contaminated bodies of water, and is a very potent nutrient source. Often recommended for vegetarians due to its high iron content, Spirulina is purely made up of essential acids and protein.

 

Grown around the world in freshwater, from Africa to Hawaii to other exotic locations such as Mexico, Spirulina is the blue-green algae with intense flavour that can often be found in green superfood beverages, energy bars and a variety of natural supplements. Spirulina is also high in calcium, and laboratory research suggests it can be good for those who suffer from pesky allergies and often have allergic reactions.

 Spirulina

The best Spirulina is definitely an organic variety, and when used in powder form, it is best to take in at least two teaspoons daily. When you are sick, it is best to take in at least two tablespoons! Some who take Spirulina say that it tastes like pond water, and other say it just tastes horrible. If the powder form of Spirulina is too potent for you, there are high quality Spirulina capsules available.

 

Spirulina offers up some superb health benefits for those who regularly consume it. Spirulina is well-known for detoxing the body of heavy metals, and also helping to eliminate candida and improper digestion. Spirulina also helps to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, decrease sinus inflammation and issues, speed up weight loss and lower the chance of stroke. Another positive benefit of Spirulina is that it boosts energy.

 

A few more interesting facts about Spirulina include the fact that it is made up of 65% protein and amino acids, including essential fatty acids, which means that Spirulina works well as an anti-inflammatory when taken with other Omega-3 supplements. As previously mentioned, Spirulina is rich in Chlorophyll, which helps in removing toxins from the blood and boosts the immune system. Due to its high concentration of iron, Spirulina is excellent to take during pregnancy and works wonders for those who suffer from anemia.

 

Are you interested in sampling Spirulina or exploring a diet that embraces a wide variety of superfoods? If your answer is yes, please fill out the enquiry form below. A dedicated member of our detox and wellness center staff will get in contact with you to answer your questions and offer sage advice to lead you into a journey of a healthier lifestyle. Located near Kata Beach on the tropical island of Phuket, Santosa Detox and Wellness Center is the premiere location for health and wellness in southern Thailand.

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