Coconuts: Healthy or Not? | Dr. Neal Barnard | The Exam Room Podcast

Are coconuts healthy? Get the answer from nutrition expert Dr. Neal Barnard.

Coconuts are packed with healthy nutrients but also contain a surprising amount of fat. The hefty sum has many people opting to leave them off their plate.

Discover the truth about coconuts and coconut oil as Dr. Barnard sits down with "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Live.

Also On This Episode
- Coconuts and heart health
- Coconuts and healthy skin
- Can coconuts cause gas and bloating?
- Antioxidants in coconuts
- And more!

Dr. Barnard is the author of The Power Foods Diet: The Breakthrough Plan That Traps, Tames, and Burns Calories for Easy and Permanent Weight Loss.

Plus, discover the calorie-trapping effect of fiber for weight loss during The Power Foods Focus.

This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund, which supports organizations like the Physicians Committee that carry on Greg’s passion and love for animals through rescue efforts, veganism, and wildlife conservation.

📕THE POWER FOODS DIET📕

🎟️ EVENTS 🎟️
What: The Power Foods Revolution
Where: Washington, DC - The National Press Club
Date: March 26, 2024
Time: 7:00pm
Who: Dr. Neal Barnard, Chuck Carroll, Dustin Harder, Stefanie Ignoffo

🔗 SHOW LINKS 🔗
Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund

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Physicians Committee

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About Us

The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

[jasminealixandranorth]

About 10 years ago I went on the coconut oil trend. Switched to using coconut oil to cook. For the first time in my life, my cholesterol shot up through the roof. I had always had low to normal cholesterol levels. I knew immediately after the blood test that coconut oil must have been the cause. When I gave it up immediately my further blood test showed cholesterol went back to normal.

[ikplttf]

Young coconut water is different from matured brown coconuts

[Arugula]

Coconut water is more healthy than Gatorade which is ultra processed beverage with lots of sugar! Coconut water has natural electrolytes and rich in potassium. No artificial or added sugar.

[monikatunstall]

Hi I am waiting for caption or subtitles to turn on by setting. I hope you did not forget about it. Many thanks. I always enjoy watching and learning a lot from you. Thanks for sharing rich education in the world. 🤟

[GloriaMommyofXYZ]

Polynesians, Caribbeans, Indians, and many others may find it surprising to hear advice against consuming coconuts. It's akin to suggesting Mexicans avoid avocados. While for some, coconuts may only mean coconut milk or oil, they hold significant dietary importance globally. Coconuts offer lauric acid, medium-chain triglycerides, and antioxidants. Discouraging their consumption can be seen as ethnocentric and warrants a reconsideration of such advice. Personally, I will continue enjoying coconuts in my curries and as a childhood favorite with lime juice and chili powder.

[cilrofcmgmt]

Thank you for clarifying that! It makes sense that nature would put the coconut high in a tree. I could listen to Dr Barnard all day long!

[estherlyncelestinocardenas]

since im young i drink coconut water almost everyday, , we cook food with coconut oil, , , im 61 now and im healthy using coconut oil, drinking coconut water, , , almost our recipe we use coconut, , , and our place we live long my gtand mother died 105 yrs old my mother died at 87 yrs old, , so i believe coconut is healthy food

[MultiStarQuantumCoaching]

Thanks so much for continuing to educate us all!

[Furiouspaul]

I can understand why coconut milk and oil is bad, but Barnard never specifically said that coconut meat is bad. Coconut meat has fiber which helps lower cholesterol, combine that with the high HDL you get from the meat and i would think things would balance out better. Plus there is studies showing nations who live on coconut meat never have heart issues. Where are the studies showing coconut meat is bad?

[alwayslearning]

Thanks. Great convesation and information. 👍👍

[murraybrockway]

Just saw an OTR video saying Polynesians are able to survive on coconuts. Plus fresh coconut doesn't have sugar added like shredded coconut sold in the grocery store. At least it is not a trans fat.

Really wanted to try a bunch of Asian recipes with coconut.

[EatingWellwithDiabetes]

Coconut water is a great source of potassium and a great natural whole food for hydration. In the tropical islands, that’s what we use it for. We need to consider cultural and geographical differences when discussing these things.

[ima]

Young coconut flesh got significantly less fat. Young coconut water is better than gatorade. I personally use coconut oil in my hair before wash & for massage.

[simonalexandercritchley]

Palm oil or kernel is also high saturated fat.
Read the ingredient list and nutritional guide on products as both coconut and palm is included in a lot of canned or packet foods from chocolate to ready meals etc.
A little coconut now and then may be ok but not the oil which is concentrated, best used on your skin.

[jbidwell]

Great interview. I ADORE Dr Barnard. Did you see that he was interviewed by "Diary of a CEO" - (btw, it was a brilliant interview) and it got banned on his podcast channel. I think people should protest this censorship of Dr Barnard at the Diary of a CEO channel.

[frompizzaaddicttovegan]

The graphics for your podcast Chuck are outstanding. Love the bright colors and seeing you two

[hraj]

Any natural product when processed heavily is bad including coconut milk or coconut oil -what’s missing or misleading in this video is the question-Is coconut pulp or coconut meat when eaten whole or slightly processed like coconut chutney (with full fiber content ) is bad or good ?
I would appreciate if Dr Bernard (whos work I really respect ) can take up this question for clarification

[AzerPaul]

Good info, as usual with you two guys. Thank you.

[jakobw]

Why is coconut any more unhealthy than eating animal foods - including dairy?

[jillipoo]

This is the first PCRM video that I felt really fell short of adequate coverage of the topic at hand. We know Dr Barnard is not a fan of coconut so there was nothing new here. Key questions that SHOULD have been posed: 1. Dr Joel Fuhrman says that coconut cream is less of a fat bomb because it contains ground up coconut flesh, thereby providing some fiber. Coconut milk, on the other hand, is pure fat Where does Dr Barnard stand on this statement ? 2. What’s the lowdown on shredded coconut? Even Dr Will Bulsiewicz tosses some into his oatmeal! 3. Lots of people drink coconut water for electrolytes. Surely better than Gatorade? I would have liked answers to these questions