Coconut oil and bullet-proof coffee.

Table Of Content

What does science say?

Coconut oil has gained center stage as the next big "superfood". People are beginning to add scoopfuls to their morning coffee (yuk!) in the name of health, but is it as healthy and nutritious as it claims to be?

How far is it true?

A 2016 survey published by The New York Times shows that 72 percent of Americans think coconut oil is healthful, but only 37 percent of nutrition experts agree to it.

What does science say?

The saturated fat percentage in coconut oil is 90 percent, an even higher percentage than butter (64 percent saturated fat). Too much saturated fat in the diet is unhealthy. It raises the harmful LDL cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease.

Coconut health actually gets its health claim from being high in something call MUFA (medium-chain fatty acids). Now from a healthy perspective, this type of saturated fat is a little bit healthy for you than long-chain fatty acid. But really it’s comparing rat VS human poison and saying rat poison is a little less effective on humans thus better for consumption! IT’S STILL POISON!

But even if MUFA was healthy for the body. Coconut oil does not contain as much of it anyway. More than 50% of coconut oil is ‘not MUFA’ and still saturated fats. The kind doctors ask you to run away from.

A review of literature on coconut consumption (2016) in humans found that coconut consumption raises HDL cholesterol. It may, however, also raise LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of which are cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Coconut oil and its health benefits: Busted!

According to The American Diabetes Association, coconut oil as a saturated fat needs to be limited in our diets. Further, a report published by Alzheimer's Association shows that there has never been any clinical testing and no scientific evidence suggesting that it helps in curing Alzheimer's.

In terms of the nutritional content of coconut oil, there are no omega-3 fats, the essential fats people need, in coconut oil. Consumption of any type of oil’s (including coconut oil), increases inflammation, clogs blood vessels, and causes weight gain.

Conclusion

It's certainly not necessary to altogether avoid coconut oil if you like the flavor. It's fine as long as you don't use too much of it. All I am saying is to keep it away from your coffee in the name of health.

Keep the focus of your diet on healthier fat sources like nuts, seeds, whole shredded coconuts, olives, and avocadoes.

Loving you always,

Roshni Sanghvi.