Unrefined coconut oil is a staple culinary ingredient used in several tropical cultures. During the last half of the 20th century, nutritionists labeled coconut oil as unhealthy. However, the stigma surrounding it is reversing. New studies show unrefined organic coconut oil is not quite the villain it was made out to be. Researchers are finding that it may have several potential health benefits.
Coconut Oil's Unfair Label
In the 1960s coconut oil was considered unhealthy because it was filled with saturated fats that can clog arteries and be detrimental to the cardiovascular system. In an interview with the "New York Times," Dr. Brenna of Cornell University points out the flaw in the early studies. He reports that they had been conducted using partially hydrogenated coconut oil, or coconut oil that had hydrogens artificially added to it. However, unrefined coconut oil, the type used in tropical diets for centuries, does not present the same health risk as the partially hydrogenated kind.
Antimicrobial Effects of Coconut Oil
The main fatty acid in coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid found in breast milk and known to have anti-viral effects that help protect nursing infants from infection. Dr. J.J. Kabara performed the original work that discovered the antiviral effects of lauric acid. A study by Hierholzer and Kabara in 1982 showed that the body converts lauric acid to monolaurin, which disintegrates the lipid membranes surrounding viruses thus killing them. In addition, later studies have shown that lauric acid adversely affects other pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts.
Coconut Oil's Anti-Cancer Potential
There is a substantial amount of evidence pointing to the anticarcinogenic effects of coconut oil. In a presentation at the AVOC Lauric Oils Symposium in 1996, Dr. Mary Enig highlighted the anti-cancer benefits of coconut oil performed over the last century. She cited several studies showing that coconut oil inhibits the production of artificially induced tumors in the colon. She concludes that research is starting to reveal that although there can be slight elevation in serum cholesterol when consuming coconut oil, it can have a protective effect on tumor development. More clinical research is necessary to confirm these preliminary but promising findings.
Coconut Oil Raises HDL Levels
Several studies show that consuming unrefined coconut oil can significantly increase high density lipid or good cholesterol levels. This benefit is attributed to the lauric and myristic acid content of coconut oil. Studies consistenly show a significant rise in HDL levels from baseline when individuals are fed a diet high in lauric and myristic acid. Dr. Mary Enig of the balancing effect coconut oil seems to have on total cholesterol levels. In individuals with low serum cholesterol levels, she says the literature points to coconut oil raising levels. In people with high cholesterol, coconut oil appears to lower total cholesterol levels.
References
- "New York Times";Once a Villain, Coconut Oil Charms the Health Food World; Melissa Clark;March 2011
- "Journal of Food Safety";In Vitro Effects of Monolaurin Compounds on Enveloped RNA and DNA Viruses;J C Hierholzer, J J Kabara; March1982
- Dr. Mary Enig; AVOC Lauric Oils Symposium; Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
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