Cardiologists in America say that coconut oil is as unhealthy as beef fat or lard and butter.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has said in its latest advice that coconut oil contains saturated fat, which can increase ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Coconut oil is commonly marketed as a health food and it is claimed that the fats it contains can be more beneficial to our health than other fats.
However, the AHA says there are no substantial studies to support this claim.
Which fats are good for you? Advice on this can be confusing.
Animal-derived fats such as lard or pork belly fat are considered unhealthy, while plant-derived oils such as olive or sunflower oil are considered healthy alternatives.
It uses the principle of how much ‘trans fat’ is in a particular type of fat and how much is ‘sat fat’.
It is said that fat is bad for our health, but not everyone agrees. A diet high in fat increases blood ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol, which can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
According to the AHA, coconut oil contains 82 percent fat, which is higher than butter (63), beef fat (50) and lard (39). And studies show that, like other fats, it raises ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Some people believe that coconut contains a mixture of fats that make it a healthier alternative, but the AHA says there isn’t enough evidence to prove this.
He said people should reduce trans fats from their diet and not replace them with other plant-based oils.