Problems With Coconut Oil

A March 2011 article in the "New York Times" described coconut oil as the "darling of the natural-foods world." Coconut oil, a calorie-packed dietary fat, is used by dieters who believe that the properties of the oil speed up their metabolism and make them lose weight more quickly. (Ref 1) However, there are big problems with coconut oil. Coconut oil is high in extremely high in saturated fat, a dietary fat that negatively impacts your blood cholesterol. (Ref 6, Res 4)

Claims

Coconut oil is attributed astounding properties by proponents of this diet, who eat 2 to 3 tbsp. of the oil each day. The "New York Times" reported that the lauric acid in coconut oil may purportedly increase "good" levels of blood cholesterol while decreasing "bad" cholesterol. Other health-related claims associated with coconut oil: it increases thyroid function and boosts metabolism. Certain acids in the oil reportedly promote a healthier immune system.

Problems

One of the many problems with coconut oil is that none of the diet and health benefits made about it are supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence. Katherine Zeratsky, a nutritionist and blogger for MayoClinic.com, notes that studies that specifically looked at coconut oil as a weight loss agent yielded conflicting results. Dr. Daniel Hwang, a researcher at the University of California -- Davis, told the "New York Times" that there's no "concrete scientific data" to support any of the health claims made by coconut oil enthusiasts. More bad news for people with hypothyroidism: There's no evidence to suggest that the oil increases thyroid function, either.

Weight

Three tablespoons of coconut oil pack 350 calories and 40 g total fat; this dietary fat has no other essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Compare this to 3 tbsp. of salted butter -- yet another high-calorie dietary fat -- which has 310 calories and 35 g total fat. If you eat a 2,000-calorie diet and consume 3 tbsp. coconut oil, you've used up almost 18 percent of your daily calories. But if you eat a daily diet of 1,700 calories, 3 tbsp. coconut oil makes up more than 20 percent of your calories. All calories count toward weight gain; to lose weight, you must consume fewer daily calories than your body can burn.

Cholesterol

The Center for Science in the Public Interest points to other problems with coconut oil, namely that it is made up primarily of saturated fat. A medium-sized tub of movie theater popcorn cooking in coconut oil may contain as much as 60 g saturated fat. Some brands of coconut sorbet contain 9 g saturated fat per serving. Saturated fat is usually found in solid, animal-based dietary fats like butter, meat and lard. However, tropical oils such as coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil are an exception to the rule. Three tablespoons of coconut oil contain 35 g saturated fat -- even more than you'd find in butter. Saturated fat, along with trans fat, are dietary fats linked to high blood cholesterol and an increased risk for heart disease. The American Dietetic Association lists coconut oil as one cooking oil to avoid, given that you have healthier options such as canola, olive, corn, safflower, soybean and sesame seed oils.

Insight

The "New York Times" points out that coconut oil adds a pleasing nutty flavor to stir-fries and homemade pie crusts and other baked goods. But to maintain a healthy blood cholesterol level, consume this oil in moderation. The American Heart Association advises keeping your total fat intake to between 25 and 35 percent of your total daily calories. Restrict saturated fat to no more than 7 percent of your total calories. Three tablespoons of coconut oil give you almost 18 percent of your calories from saturated fat, if you eat a 2,000-calorie diet.