Coconut oil has become a true "healthy" food trend. How healthy is it really?
It is unhealthy
An important feature of coconut oil is that it potentially raises blood LDL cholesterol levels. LDL is considered ‘the bad cholesterol’ because is takes cholesterol from the liver to body cells, which can result in a higher risk of heart diseases.
It is healthy
Coconut oil also raises blood HDL cholesterol levels. HDL is considered ‘the good cholesterol’ because is removes the cholesterol from the bloodstreams and takes it to the liver so it can be removed from the body. So you might be tempted to think eating coconut oil can help to prevent heart diseases.
Play it safe
Research on the effects of coconut oil on our health are very difficult to execute. That is because the use of coconut oil is very limited in most countries, and people who regularly consume coconut oil have other dietary and non-dietary habits, making it hard to compare to people who don’t use coconut oil. Yet we do know for sure from scientific research (Wageningen University) , that coconut oil raises blood LDL. And that is unhealthy. So the best thing you can do is play it safe and minimize your coconut intake. Rely on science, not on hypes.
Create your own health!©
