Is Coconut Oil Really Healthy?

The use of coconut oil is becoming more mainstream, and there are many claims to the potential health benefits. Is it really that good for you?

Read More:
The Truth About Coconut Oil
“Coconut oil, according to recent reports, is the latest food cure-all. Claims abound that coconut oil is a health food that can cure everything from poor immune function, thyroid disease, and heart disease, to obesity, cancer, and HIV.”

Once a Villain, Coconut Oil Charms the Health Food World
“A FEW years ago I noticed something odd at the health food store. There, rubbing elbows with the extra-virgin olive oil and cold-pressed canola oil was virtually the last fat I expected to see in such esteemed company: coconut oil.”

Is a coconut a fruit, nut or seed?
“Botanists love classification. However, classification of plants can be a complicated matter for the average person. Coconuts are classified as a fibrous one-seeded drupe.”
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[arunkartha]

In Kerala India we have been using coconut oil from time in memorial. it is the most healthy food in the world. Non of my parents or grant parents have any disease and it is after the introduction of processed food and use of other oil we started to experience huge health problems. Luckily we have realised it and changed back to over old ways.

[lymeguy]

Curious why none of the proven anti-fungal and anti-bacterial benefits of the Lauric Acid found in coconut oil was not discussed...

[crazyharmless]

Whoa whoa whoa...the white milky colored stuff in coconut is called endosperm?!?!?!

[stuffguy]

someone is funded by the vegetable oil companies..

[DeliriousTea]

Who here likes to have soothing coconut oil drench all over their bodies?

[patrickhodson]

coconut oil + scratchy beard = not scratchy beard

[barbellbrat]

I've been using coconut oil for the past year, I used it on my skin and hair. My skin is completely clear, absolutely no blemishes or acne. It didn't really do much for my hair except for make it softer, and maybe a little bit less frizzy.

[ronzac]

I think coconut oil really tastes and smells good. People here have been using coconut oil since long time ago and our food is totally tasteful. We use everything from the coconut trees. The leaves, the wood, the water, the oil, the fruit etc. Coconut is also great to use for grilling replacing charcoals.

[irontiger]

Sooo short answer is: science doesn't know yet.

[icicleicicle]

I love to use coconut oil as a styling product for my curly hair! It's moisturizing and natural! My hair looks as great as when I used to spend all of my money on special hair products and shampoos. For deep conditioning I use olive oil, and that lasts longer in my hair after washing as a styling agent than the coconut oil. Olive oil lasts three washes, coconut only lasts one.

[camiart_casual]

Okay, that's what happens when you ingest it, but what about putting it on your skin or your hair? What does THAT do to you, exactly?

[dreamon]

I've been using it for jaw infections while waiting for the dentist. Antibiotics weren't doing much anymore. A little oil pulling worked amazingly well and fast. Even my dentist and his office approve.

[jdinkss]

No idea about the effects of digesting coconut oil but I have really bad eczema that wasnt affected by steroid creams or high end lotions but coconut oil has done a really good job keeping it at bay..definitely worth a look for anyone with skin conditions

[atanunath]

The people of state named Kerala in southern India have been using coconut oil for thousands of years... for everything, I think it's a good idea to study those people in comparison with others who don't.

[harjit]

I use coconut oil all the time for my hairs and skin. Its a good substitute for conditioner and its good for moisturizing also for removing eye makeup.

[richieasian]

I consume coconut oil to tame my cystic acne as I have found that treating acne from the inside seems to be the best solution.. After about a week, I broke out a little but slowly started to see incredibly clear skin

[vickisullivan]

Common sense should tell us that the additives, and chemicals that they have been putting in our products for years are not good for us. Using all natural products is obviously the better choice for anything that we put on, or inside of our bodies. For instance; they tout their "miracle creams", and charge outrageous prices for them, yet the additives, and ingredients listed in those products most of us can't even pronounce, let alone what they are, or what long term side effects they might cause. Then we're willing to listen to some random guy who made a video criticizing something that is all natural? When I see the ingredients listed on a label that reads; "Organic Coconut oil", "Cold pressed Olive oil", or "100% White Petrolatum", etc, that tells me all I need to know. I saw a video once that claimed that grapes are harmful to toddlers! The reason you ask? Get ready for it. "Because they can choke on them"! So they suggest that we don't feed our kids grapes?!! How about we use our common sense, and cut them in half, instead of depriving our children of a nutritious fruit that thy actually enjoy? We should use all natural products whenever possible, and use our common sense.

[thatonegunguy]

Love coconut oil for my beard, keeps it from getting scraggly looking and helps me keep it where I want it.

[ThereWasNoFreeName]

For cooking i would use sunflower oil (main kind of the oil we have here), for cosmetic use coconut oil is way better. Coconut for skin and hair, almond and grape seeds for skin only.

[themenon]

Look at population of Kerala (South India) - As a result of switching out of coconut oil (which has been around for hundreds of years, if not a couple of thousands of years), to "healthier" oils like sunflower and bleeding corn oil has led it to be a state with the largest percentage of lifestyle diseases. Sorry, olive oil, is also a "fad" by that definition.