Since coconut oil contains saturated fat, it can raise cholesterol levels, yet has other health benefits. Researchers from the National University of Singapore analyzed the effect that consuming coconut oil has on blood lipids and heart health compared to other cooking oils.
The team's paper was published this year in the journal Circulation. Rob M. van Dam, Jowy Yi Hoong Seah, and Nithya Neelakantan conducted a meta-analysis of 16 articles regarding blood lipids and oil consumption.
The health benefits associated with coconut oil are numerous from skincare to hair, heart health, dental care, and anti-inflammatory properties. Surprisingly, said van Dam, there is an ongoing debate on whether these claims are true.
Coconut Oil Affects Cholesterol Levels
The studies that the team reviewed involved the consumption of coconut oil and other fats that lasted for a minimum of two weeks. During the trials, scientists measured low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/HDL), triglycerides, body fat, glycemia, and evidence of inflammation.
The team concluded that compared to other vegetable oils, consumption of coconut oil did not significantly impact glycemia, inflammation, and body fat. However, the coconut oil did increase LDL cholesterol, which is typical of saturated fats, compared to other oils.
Saturated fat is a type of unhealthy fat like trans fat. These fats can usually be identified if they turn solid at room temperature, such as butter, palm oil, and coconut oil, and should be consumed moderately.
The authors wrote that the effect coconut oil has on bad cholesterol "aligns with dietary recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat." Coconut oil contains about 90 percent saturated fat, shared van Dam which is a higher percentage than butter or lard.
Coconut fat can also increase LDL cholesterol due to lauric acid. Lauric acid acts like a long-chained fatty acid, which was formerly thought to be healthy due to its ability to increase metabolism and absorption.
"High coconut consumption increases blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations and may thus increase risk of heart disease," shared van Dam. However, coconut oil did not affect other factors of heart disease such as inflammation and blood sugar levels.
READ: Philippines Studying Coconut Oil as Potential COVID-19 Treatment
Coconut Oil Consumption
Based on the fatty acid composition of coconut oil, van Dam shared, the results of their study were not surprising. While coconut oil may be more beneficial for its moisturizing properties, high consumption is not recommended.
Coconut oil would also not be highly recommended for patients with coronary disease, shared Dr. Deirdre Mattina from the Henry Ford Health System's Women's Heart Center. She also shared her amazement of the popular culture fascination with coconut oil even being one of the most fatty substances on the planet.
Van Dam shared that their results can help with the development of nutrition recommendations and USDA dietary guidelines. For culinary purposes, he added, coconut oil "can be used sparingly for flavor or texture." The team aims to determine if coconut oil can result in cardiovascular disease and not just a risk factor in raising bad cholesterol levels.
READ: Coconut Oil Pulling Adjuvant to Plaque-Induced Oral Diseases
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