The Real Skinny On Dietary Coconut Oil

Written by Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery   Last modified on May 23, 2018

From guzzling coconut water to stay hydrated at the gym, rinsing with coconut oil to stave off tooth decay and adding it our coffee to lose weight, we’ve all gone a bit cuckoo for coconuts.

Fully 72 percent of us think of coconut oil as a health food, according to a recent New York Times poll. But new research suggests that the coconut oil craze may not be all that it’s cracked up to be. In fact, the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Presidential Advisory Panel recently reviewed the evidence and found that coconut oil — which is made by pressing the fat from the white “meat” inside the nut — increased LDL (bad cholesterol).  High LDL is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The AHA panel found coconut oil may be as bad for us as other oils high in saturated fat like butter, beef fat and palm oil.  More than 80 percent of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, the panel reported. By contrast, butter is 63 percent saturated fat, while beef fat is 50 percent.

The panel stated that “because coconut oil increases LDL cholesterol, a cause of CVD, and has no known offsetting favorable effects, we advise against the use of coconut oil.”

Not so fast, argue many coconut oil enthusiasts. The saturated fat in coconut oil comes from medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and our body handles them differently than straight-up saturated fats.

While the jury may still be out on who’s right and who’s wrong, the main message is clear — moderation is the key. Incorporating coconut oil into your diet is okay as long as you mind your overall saturated fat intake.

The AHA states that people with high cholesterol should consume no more than 6 percent of saturated fat as part of total daily calories. Discuss your cholesterol profile with your doctor to know here you stand.

Healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats includung vegetable oils (such as olive, canola, sunflower, soy and corn), nuts, seeds, and fish can actually help lower risk of heart and other diseases.

We’ll continue to keep you informed as the coconut oil debate wages on.