Care2Healthy Living/Brian Syuki: Coconut Oil Facts You Should Know

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5 Coconut Oil Facts You Should Know
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    By: Brian Syuki
    April 9, 2019

Coconut oil is “pure poison”.

Karin Michels Ph.D., a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, uttered those words. She went on to declare that coconut oil is one of the worst foods you can eat. In fact, she’s not the only one who has taken a strong stand against coconut oil.

The American Heart Association (AHA) warns against coconut oil, saying it increases LDL cholesterol, which leads to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Both Karin and the AHA have received backlash from the “natural health” community. Some of the arguments natural health enthusiasts make are convincing. For example, they point out that there are fewer cases of heart attacks in cultures where people cook with coconut oil.

Raw White Organic Coconut OIl for Baking
Coconut Oil Facts

Many nutrition experts agree that coconut oil is overhyped. Consider these facts about coconut oil before declaring it a superfood.
1. Coconut Oil May Not Enhance Weight Loss

Many believe that coconut oil can help them lose weight effortlessly. That’s because coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have been shown to boost metabolism.

What you may not know is that studies use “designer oil”, which contains 100 percent MCTs. Coconut oil, on the other hand, only contains 13 to 15 percent MCTs. Unfortunately, small doses of MCTs don’t enhance weight loss, according to research.
2. Refined Coconut Oil May Not Improve Heart Health

It’s true that people in island cultures have a lower risk of heart disease, but they usually consume coconut flesh, coconut cream and homemade coconut oil. Most of the coconut oil in the grocery stores is highly refined, which means it may not offer heart-boosting benefits.

It’s also worth noting that these cultures eat lots of heart-healthy foods such as vegetables, tubers and fruits.
3. There’s a Huge Difference Between Humans and Mice

Most of the supposed benefits of coconut oil are based on animal studies. Even though mice are omnivorous like us, our bodies work differently. For instance, mice can produce their own vitamin C, while humans have to get it from food sources.

Just because coconut oil has been proven beneficial in animal studies doesn’t mean it’ll offer the same benefits in humans.
4. Health Institutes and Nutritionists Say it’s Not a Superfood

A recent survey showed that 72 percent of the American public considers coconut oil a “health food” while only 32 percent of nutritionists share the same opinion.

As I mentioned earlier, the AHA doesn’t think coconut oil is good for your health, since it increases LDL cholesterol.
5. Coconut Oil Has a Low Smoking Point

Coconut oil is not suitable for high-temperature cooking, because it has a smoke point of 350 degrees F. You’re better off using peanut oil, organic canola oil or avocado oil, which have higher smoke points.

My goal is not to stop you from ever using coconut oil. I just want to bring to light these valid arguments that coconut oil enthusiasts often ignore, so you can make an informed decision about how much coconut oil is right for you.

Photos via Getty Images
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33 comments
Lisa M5 minutes ago

Thanks.
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Lisa M5 minutes ago

Thanks.
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Heather B28 minutes ago

It should be neither demonized nor canonized. I think when used sparingly like any other oil or fat it is fine. some interesting points especially about the much bally-hooed MCTs.
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Donna Gabout an hour ago

Coconut oil is a fat. Treat it as such and most people will do okay with it. The body needs small amounts of fat in order to maintain cell health. The trick to using coconut oil in cooking is to not use it with food that needs to be cooked on high heat. It is possible to use coconut oil when frying an egg, for example. Eggs are supposed to be cooked over low heat. My guess is that many do not use low heat to cook eggs then wonder why the eggs turn out rubbery.
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Angela K1 hours ago

Thanks for sharing
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hELEN hEARFIELD1 hours ago

tyfs
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Diane E1 hours ago

Thanks. I haven't cooked with it but I've used it on psoriasis..
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Arthur Riding1 hours ago

Whilst I would agree that coconut is not a 'super-food' (super-foods are a pretty ludicrous concept anyway) it is most definitely not a harmful food either especially as the so-called evidence against it is as full of holes as a sieve. Ludicrous. It is neither devil nor angel but merely a good useful cooking oil and indeed with the exception of maybe EVOO, far, far better than the other oils available. However, like ALL foods you must go just for quality and I would only ever use cold pressed coconut oil, usually organic as well, though coconut plantations anyway tend to be safer in terms of persticides etc than the fields used by most other oil producers. So definitely do not be afraid to use coconut oil and indeed use it in preference to virtually every other oil except maybe EVOO. That is the real message of coconut oil.
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Elizabeth H1 hours ago

Never used it.
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Cindy M. D2 hours ago

You were right - I did need to know this - thank you.
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