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Is coconut oil really that healthy?

person holding coconut husk
Is coconut oil really the healthy and wonderful product that we like to think?
 
Staying healthy is important, with many of us choosing to combine exercise, perhaps Yorkshire spa days, and a healthy diet in order to be at our very best.
 
Coconut oil is a food that has become incredibly popular, with many the world over believing ardently in its health benefits. According to a recent study in the US, 72% of Americans believe that coconut oil is a healthy food.
 
But is this really the case? All those people can’t be wrong, can they? Well, despite these health claims, a report from the American Heart Association has recently advised against the use of coconut oil. They state that it increases LDL cholesterol – one of the causes of cardiovascular disease – and that it provides no known offsetting effects: 
 
"There are many claims being made about coconut oil being wonderful for lots of different things, but we really don't have any evidence of long-term health benefits," said Dr. Walter C. Willett (Via CNN), who is the professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Cocooil baby oil on desk

So then, if coconut oil isn’t the wonder product that many believe, how does it rank among other oils?

"Coconut oil is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum in terms of types of fats. It's probably better than partially hydrogenated oils (which are) high in trans fats but not as good as the more unsaturated plant oils that have proven health benefits, like olive and canola oil," Dr Willett explains.

Kevin Klatt, a molecular nutrition researcher at Cornell University who studies the metabolic effects of coconut oil, agrees with Dr Willett: "It's probably not quite as 'bad' as butter but not as good as extra virgin olive oil.

Klatt advises, however, that we still need more data and evidence regarding coconut oil: "But at the same time, you have to be evidence-based ... and (currently), the evidence reflects benefits for olive oil, fish, nuts and seeds -- so that should be the focus in the diet."

So, does this change your view of coconut oil? Are you less likely to be implementing the product into your diet because of this new information? Or perhaps you just enjoy coconut oil too much to give it up.