Olive oil is struggling to keep its ground in household kitchens as it is facing a fierce competitor: coconut oil.
As a matter of fact, even the famous Dr. Oz is raving about the myriad benefits of coconut oil, calling it “the miracle fat that fights fat.” (Talk about an oxymoron.) Marketers are pushing the sale of this so-called wonder oil by claiming it as “extremely healthy oil.”
Coconut oil advocates will probably criticize dietitians such as myself for being closed-minded and even a fool for ignoring the line-up of studies that prove the jaw-dropping health benefits of coconut oil.
Before all of you coconut oil lovers start to pounce on me, hear me out. While I have yet to get into the craze of the coconut oil, I can understand the appeal of this distinctive tropical oil in cooking. However, its effect on health still puts me on the edge. (Ok, I’ll confess. I’m a die-hard olive oil fanatic.)
But don’t take my word for it.
In 2014, the Heart Foundation published an evidence paper titled “Coconut Oil And The Heart”. Here are some of the highlights of this must-read article that coconut lovers often failed to mention:
“When compared to other fat sources, coconut oil does not raise total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) to the same extent as butter, but does increase TC and LDL-C levels to a greater extent than vegetable oils and is comparable to palm olein oil.”
“The evidence that coconut oil is super-healthful is not convincing and these claims appear to be more testimonials than clinical evidence.”
“Coconut oil, like all saturated fats, should be limited to 7%-10% of calories because it can increase the risk for heart disease.”
“Like all food, if small quantities of coconut products are enjoyed in food recipes, then it is unlikely to be a problem. They need not be eliminated from the diet but should be consumed in moderation.”
“Although it may be a better choice than butter, coconut oil cannot be recommended as a suitable alternative to non-hydrogenated vegetable oils.”
Source: Laurence E.Coconut Oil and The Heart. Heart Foundation. URL Link. Published 2014. Accessed September 9, 2016.
Bottom Line: Enjoy coconut oil in moderation, but do not fool yourself into thinking that it is better than olive oil or other unsaturated oils.
