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coconut oil is the new coffee

11/15/2017

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Dear Ask Alison, Is coconut oil good for you?~ Evelyn T., O'Fallon
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You've probably seen viral posts on social media about coconut oil for a few months.The hype comes from a study published by the American Heart Association: Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease, connecting diets high in saturated fat with heart disease. One of the chief offenders? You guessed it: coconut oil. At 82% saturated fat, the AHA states that this oil is no healthier for your heart than butter or beef fat.

Defenders of coconut oil claim that the medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s) behave differently in the body than animal fat and when consumed in moderation have nutritional benefits, such as anti-viral properties, which outweigh the heart risks.

So is it friend or foe? Just like with coffee, dark chocolate, and myriad others, research can contradict, evolve, or be limited in scope. For instance, a study showing the effects of caffeine on digestion may not investigate the effects on the heart. In short, what’s right for some may not be right for others.

My suggestion is to talk to your doctor about what’s best for you based on your history, lifestyle, and health goals. Also, read, read, read, and not just on social media! Here are 3 places to get started: 

1. Find news and latest research in the Library’s Total Search bar:
  • Coconut Oil News
  • Coconut Oil- Academic Journal Articles

2. Look for books in the Library catalog:
  • Coconut oil Health aspects
  • Cholesterol Health aspects
  • Lipids in human nutrition

3. Try these keyword searches in Medline Plus:
  • Coconut Oil
  • Dietary Fats
  • Cholesterol
  • Cholesterol and Lifestyle

references

Boateng, L., Ansong, R., Owusu, W. B., & Steiner-Asiedu, M. (2016). Coconut oil and palm oil's role in nutrition, health and national development: A review. Ghana Medical Journal, 50(3), 189-196. doi:10.4314/gmj.v50i3.11

Liu, A. G., Ford, N. A., Hu, F. B., Zelman, K. M., Mozaffarian, D., & Kris-Etherton, P. M. (2017). A healthy approach to dietary fats: understanding the science and taking action to reduce consumer confusion. Nutrition Journal, 16, 53. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-017-0271-4
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    Alison is the Consumer Health Librarian for the
    ​St. Charles City-County Library. She works with community experts to answer your health and wellness questions.

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Materials and reference assistance at the St. Charles City-County Library District are provided for informational purposes only. None of the information provided is intended as
​medical advice nor is it meant to establish a doctor/patient relationship or prescribe or replace the advice or opinion of health care professionals. You should always consult a physician before beginning or making changes in your diet, supplements or exercise program; for diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries; and for advice regarding medications.