Coconut Oil: What Researchers Have Found

In Blog by Amanda Chong

Not too long ago you may have come across several mainstream media articles with headlines like these:

. “Coconut Oil Isn’t Healthy. It’s Never Been Healthy” — USA Today

. “Nutrition Experts Warn Coconut Oil Is On Par With Beef Fat, Butter” — Chicago Tribune

. “This Popular Health Food Is Worse For You Than Pork Lard” — Daily Star

It turns out that the above articles were a response to the American Heart Association’s (AHA) June 2017 report on saturated fats. Many people were alarmed by these mainstream media articles, but the AHA’s actual guidelines do not state to avoid saturated fats altogether. AHA recommends that daily saturate fat intake should be about 6% of your daily caloric consumption, which is about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. The mainstream media has sensationalized their publications and distorted the facts from what was actually reported in the AHA’s guidelines.

In fact, numerous studies* show that saturated fats like those found in coconut oil are indeed good for you.

A recent study by the University of Cambridge in England found that coconut oil can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke when consumed every day for a month.

In the study, researchers followed 94 volunteers between the ages of 50 and 75. None of them had a history of heart disease.

After four weeks of eating three tablespoons of coconut oil a day, participants had a 15% rise in healthy HDL levels, leading the scientists to report that this superfood can lower your risk of developing heart disease or stroke.1

Another study which looked at diabetes risk found that the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil significantly improve blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance.2 Lowering your risk of diabetes greatly improves your chance of avoiding a heart attack.

Further studies have shown that coconut oil:

  • Boosts brain function in people with Alzheimer’s disease3
  • Reduces inflammation and arthritis4
  • Prevents osteoporosis5
  • Protects the liver6
  • Improves body composition and weight in women7

3 Ways to Get More Coconut Oil in Your Foods

  1. Cook with it. Coconut oil has a high smoke point. This means that it does not degrade at high temperatures. It is especially great for frying and baking.
  2. Make a smoothie. Scoop a healthy serving of coconut oil into the blender. Mix in your favourite fresh fruits. Maybe even add some protein powder. Add yogurt and a little ice. Blend it all and enjoy a tasty, heart-healthy smoothie.
  3. Make a spread. Check out the recipe below. This is a mouth-watering and wonderfully nutritious spread for your crackers or bread. You can add this mixture to your coffee as well.

Ingredients

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup of NewLifeTM Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

1/2 cup of NewLifeTM Pure Raw Honey

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Store it in a covered container.

 

Resources:

  1. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/3/e020167
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17570262
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30056419
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24613207
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3457741/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24285126
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30037019