Coconut milk is made from simmering water with grated coconut meat. It should not be confused with the liquid in the center of the coconut that is called coconut water or juice. The juice is employed in drinks and can be incorporated into other coconut-based concoctions. Coconut cream is concentrated coconut milk, created by using less water. Coconut oil is the oil found within the coconut meat and is utilized in baked goods, candies, and a number of non-food applications. The coconut meat is used in a variety of preparations, the most well known being pies, cakes, custards, and other baked goods. One coconut will yield one cup of liquid and 3-4 cups of grated meat.

100 g of coconut milk contains 3.4 g of protein, 41 g of fat, 0 fibre content, 11.9g of carbohydrates, 430 k calories, 15 mg of calcium, 140 mg of phosphorus.

Desiccated coconut is about 69% coconut fat, as is creamed coconut. Full coconut milk is approximately 24% fat. Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being transformed into a substance called "monolaurin" in the human body. Monolaurin is an antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal substance used by the human body to destroy lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria and protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Capric acid, another one of coconut's medium-chain fatty acids has been added to the list of coconut's antimicrobial components. Capric acid is found in large amounts in coconuts and it has a similar beneficial function when it is transformed into "monocaprin" in the human body. Monocaprin has been shown to have antiviral effects against HIV and is being tested for its antiviral effects against herpes simplex and antibacterial effects against chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Also, research has shown that natural coconut fat in the diet leads to a normalization of body lipids, protects against alcohol damage to the liver, and improves the immune system's anti-inflammatory response.