Coconut oil is not really that healthy for you
- 7 years ago
DALLAS — Health food enthusiasts and hipsters have long sworn by the many benefits of coconut oil, but according to the American Heart Association, it may not actually be that good for you.
Coconut oil, unlike most plant oils, is highly saturated. Its saturated fat content is 82%, higher than butter, beef fat, and pork lard, reports the BBC.
Saturated fat has been linked to low-density lipoprotein, which is bad cholesterol that can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
The American Heart Association recommends eating less saturated fat, replacing them instead with unsaturated plant oils, nuts, and seeds.
Still, coconut oil has also been known to also raise good cholesterol levels. And while the evidence doesn’t say increased consumption leads directly to heart disease, the fact remains that it contains plenty of saturated fat. So as with all things, it may be best taken in moderation.
Frank Sacks was the lead author of the report debunking the idea that coconut oil is a health food. While speaking to USA Today, his advice was, “You can put it on your body, but don’t put it in your body.
Coconut oil, unlike most plant oils, is highly saturated. Its saturated fat content is 82%, higher than butter, beef fat, and pork lard, reports the BBC.
Saturated fat has been linked to low-density lipoprotein, which is bad cholesterol that can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
The American Heart Association recommends eating less saturated fat, replacing them instead with unsaturated plant oils, nuts, and seeds.
Still, coconut oil has also been known to also raise good cholesterol levels. And while the evidence doesn’t say increased consumption leads directly to heart disease, the fact remains that it contains plenty of saturated fat. So as with all things, it may be best taken in moderation.
Frank Sacks was the lead author of the report debunking the idea that coconut oil is a health food. While speaking to USA Today, his advice was, “You can put it on your body, but don’t put it in your body.