Coconut Oil: Benefits, Uses, and is it really healthy?

Coconut oil has a saturated fat content of 90 percent. Oils high in saturated fats have been found to increase the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. However, coconut oil has grown in popularity in recent years, amid claims that it can do everything from supporting weight loss to slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Manufacturers have replaced other oils with coconut oil in packaged products, and many households use it for cooking. It features not only in fried food, but in sweets, shampoos, coffee, and smoothies.

In July 2016, results of a survey in the United States (U.S.) showed that 72 percent of people think coconut oil is healthful. However, only 37 percent of nutritionists agree.

After all, it is still saturated fat, and the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) caution consumers against coconut and other tropical oils.

Fast facts on coconut oil:

Here are some key points about coconut oil. More detail is in the main article.

Coconut oil has increased in popularity in recent years due to reputed health benefits. Overall, research does not currently appear to support increasing consumption of saturated fats, including coconut oil. It can be a tasty addition to a number of recipes, but it should be used with care.

Possible health benefits coconut oil

Coconut oil contains 2.6 percent fewer calories than other fats. It has been said to provide various health benefits.

Here are a few of them:

Increasing "good" cholesterol: A component in coconut oil has been found to give "good" HDL cholesterol "a nudge."

Controlling blood sugar: It appears to preserve insulin action and insulin resistance in mice.

Reducing stress: It has antistress and antioxidant properties, which could make it useful as an antidepressant, according to research in rodents.

Shiny hair: It makes hair shinier, because it penetrates better than mineral oils.

Healthy skin: It has been found to enhance protective barrier functions and have an anti-inflammatory effect on skin in humans.

Preventing liver disease: It has reversed hepatosteatosis, a type of fatty liver disease, in rodents.

Reducing asthma symptoms: Inhaling coconut oil has helped reduce asthma symptoms in rabbits.

Fighting candida: Coconut oil has reduced colonization with Candida albicans in mice, suggesting it could be a treatment for candida.

Improving satiety: One argument has been that coconut oil leaves people feeling "fuller" after eating, so they will not eat so much. However, other research has shown that this is not the case.

Weight loss: It has reduced obesity and promoted weight loss in mice.

Cautions

While a number of investigations have looked into coconut oil and its possible benefits, it should be noted that many of the studies supporting its benefits have not yet been carried out on humans.

In addition, all high-fat foods and oils are high in calories. Adding in more calorie-dense food to a diet that already has plenty of calories will not result in weight loss.

LD, M. W. (2017, September 22). Coconut Oil: Benefits, Uses, and is it really healthy? [Blog post].Retrieved October 30, 2017, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282857.php