Dear Ask Alison, Is coconut oil good for you?~ Evelyn T., O'Fallon
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:
2. Look for books in the Library catalog:
3. Try these keyword searches in Medline Plus:
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:
2. Look for books in the Library catalog:
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
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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