The health effects of coconut oil is a controversial
topic in the field of nutrition. Proponents of certain fad diets claim that
coconut oil is good for your heart and aids in weight loss. A recent
meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation sheds some light on
this controversy. Sixteen articles were included in the meta-analysis and the
summary results showed that:
LDL Cholesterol increased by 10.47 mg/dl after coconut
oil feeding.
HDL Cholesterol increased by 4.00 mg/dl after coconut oil
feeding.
Coconut oil had no impact on body weight.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.043052
Take Home Message
I was not
particularly surprised by these results. Coconut oil is not a healthy fat.
While it may slightly increase HDL (the healthy) cholesterol, it can
dramatically increase LDL cholesterol, which increases risk of heart attack and
stroke. It has also been shown to have no impact on body weight. Stick with
healthy, non-tropical vegetable oils like olive oil or canola oil for your
cooking. These oils are high in unsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown
in the research literature to improve serum cholesterol levels, improve
inflammation and stabilize heart rhythms.
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