What About Coconuts, Coconut Milk, and Coconut Oil MCTs?

Do the medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil and the fiber in flaked coconut counteract the negative effects on cholesterol and artery function?

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

Icons created by Marianna Nardella and Creative Stall from The Noun Project

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I could not figure why my cholesterol was so high, I tried everything to get it to drop. My doctor threatened me saying I needed to go on meds for it, my age is 65. I do not eat red meat, pork, no fried food, limited chicken, limited cheeses, ( once or twice a week) . I eat a lot of whole grains, like oat meal, and avoid sugar. It was not until I ran across Nutrition Facts, so I gave up eggs which were range fed organic, I was using coconut milk in my protein shakes, coconut coffee creamer to avoid dairy. Just giving up those two products, in a short period of just 3 months my cholesterol dropped like a rock and my doctor could not believe it . I could not either as I believed I was eating healthy and was using eggs as meat replacement in my diet.

[phillippinter]

The first diet that he was showing on the island Kitava with the absence of stroke and heart disease was still quite high in coconut. If you look at the table the median intake was 90 - 130 g per 10 Mj (2, 388 Kcal). That's about 390 calories of raw coconut meat. On the other table on the island Pukapuka the diet was super imbalanced. First of many of the non coconut calories came from meat and sugar with a complete absence of vegetables and legumes. On the table shown at 3:12 the fast saturated fat meal only had 14 g saturated fat while the local one had 40 g of saturated fat. Not to mention it had an egg and fish and enough of that to supply the same amount of cholesterol as the fast food meal. If both those meals had the same effect (witch they basically did. Actually the fast food meal was even worse) it would imply that the saturated fat in the local meal did not dilate blood flow as much as the first one. I'm not trying to lobby for coconut's. Just saying I would like some further research.

[ernestm]

Coconut oil may not be good inside the body. However, for hair it's amazing!!

[elicox]

I think It's important to note that the saturated fat levels in coconut milk products vary tremendously. In the nasi-lemak study, the LHF meal had a whopping 40 grams of saturated fat. However, In an 8 oz glass of coconut milk that you might find at the grocery store next to soy milk, there may only be 1-4 grams depending on the brand. (Blue Diamond, Silk, So Delicious, etc.)
That is in fact, an *order of magnitude less* than the levels of saturated fat in the LHF meal. If you missed this detail, you might leave this video thinking all coconut milk is bad for you. My rule is, if it has a label, check it. Thanks for all your hard work Dr. Greger, looking forward to the next video!

[SayuriYaki]

Ah, damnit ^^ I just love coconut milk in my curry.

[bugsnapoles]

There is no science in what I'll say, what I have is experience, emperical experience. I'm Filipino and live in one of the coconut producing province of the country. Our diet consists of a high proportion of coconuts from its milk to cook vegetables, its oil to fry (excelent for frying), its young nuts for its excelent coconut water and meat, its dessicated coconut meat for baked products, sweets, macaroons, even coconut meat flour, and VCO for energy and health. We likewise use coconut oil for skin and hair care. In other words we consume alot of coconuts. We had virtually very low incidence of metabolic diseases (diseases of the organs) then. My grand parents died in their 90s yet they really love coconuts. Coconuts were their food and livelihood making and selling copra.

However, today, our society is being plague with metabooic diseases with the advent of western diets in our food chain. McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Shakeys, Pizza Hut, Kenny Rogers and a lot more. Moreover western processed foods have flooded our local markets to the detriment of the health of our population. Western lifestyle, advertisemnets and commercials are what we see everyday and has tremendous influence in the food intake. And has introduced and raised western types of diseases in my country. Its not coconuts and its byproducts that are a health risk. Its the introduction and consumption of western foods that has made my country sick. The west is so great in commercial propaganda.

What I see is the continuing demonization of coconuts its oil and other byproducts by the likes of the American Soybean Association (ASA), American Heart Association (AHA), American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the likes and the promotion of their products (soy, corn, rapeseed/canola etc oils) and drugs of big pharmas to medicate the diseases caused by these oil through inflamation of arteries and organs.

I myself had been a victim of western foods. I am 5 feet 5 inches in height and grew to weigh 105 kgs. Had highblood pressure, had a heart condition, high bloodsugar, arthritis, fatty liver, and a host of other condition. Was spending a lot of hard earned money for medication all from western big pharmas. Was feeling so down and bad. Became desprate and decided to change my life. I stopped consuming western foods and went local foods and more coconut products as my grandparents did. Guess what, I lost 33kgs! And did away with all medications. No more statins, losartans, metformins, anti artrithic meds and anti palpitation meds. I'm virtually medication free. I take 2tbsp VCO morning and evening before meals. I've reduced my food intake to half what it used to be but I maintain eating local foodstuff (rice, rootcrops, coconuts, veggies, native chicken and pig) no foods from McDo, KFC, Wendys even doughnuts and breads.

I'm 66 yrs old and never felt better. I'm enjoying my grandson and awaiting a granddaughter by January 2019. My sons are likewise changing their lifestyle following suit. My wife who's been a victim too is on her way to getting better. Life is turning for the good and better and coconuts are an ever part of our life. God bless you all.

[spliter]

but the study on the meal with coconut milk included EGG and FISH, hmmmm

[lawrencelawrence]

Being an avid past user of coconut oil, thinking that it was healthy, reading that it was healthy, I suffered a heart condition with high LDL levels. Since that incident I quit all oils and adopted a whole plant based diet the LDL levels dropped from 4.7 to 1.2. The coconut oil industry like the meat and diary industry promote false facts that can kill us.

[MADGUNSMONSTER]

It's so depressing to hear anything negative about coconuts. One day something is touted as good for you, the next it's debunked. I'm going on a spring water and dirt only diet. See you on the other side.

[Jgo]

Summary = 6:11   . You're welcome!

[IvanBFit]

very intriguing video unlike others who get torn up by this conflicting information it's enlightening for me. what about coconut flakes or coconut meat in moderation? and we're talking about raw unadulterated fresh coconut meat what about coconut flakes or coconut meat in moderation​. I'm also a little leery of coconut meat being hazardous since it is a whole food plant-based food source. I always thought it was the Silver Lining of saturated fat if there were a silver lining. I've always read the MCT content was about 62 to 63% in coconut oil so this is new information and I will fact check the studies listed in this video. I'm not advocating high consumption of coconut products but certainly in prudent, moderate and sensible amounts, I don't see how that is a problem. and I understand the argument in this video because quite frankly not everything plant-based is good for us for example poisonous mushrooms and the like.

[Olibelus]

Isn't it fair to conclude that ANY oil and ANY type of fat, when eaten excessively and regularly, are detrimental to human health?

[mattdelora]

Dr. Greger is killin it! Spreading truth independent of the masses discomfort with handling cognitive dissonance.

[shaneashby]

Coconut milk in my protein shakes GONE. Coconut milk kefir Gone. Dried shredded coconut flakes in my morning porridge Gone. Damn you Dr. Michael Greger Damn

[turbonbc]

No offence but lab studies are not going to convince me to not eat coconut flesh or consume coconut water or yoghurt because for years it has made me feel absolutely amazing and refreshed. Not going to listen to a doctor that lives in a box behind a computer screen and lab studies that has little first hand real world experience. I'll stick to listening to nature and people that been living healthy and consuming coconuts for thousands of years and real healers that actually save lives and cure people.

[yurjhr]

We dont do the oil, but we do coconut milk, water, and shreds. Curry, oatmeal, and I LOVE coconut shreds with chocolate. ❤❤

[ClassicCartoonsNL]

Thank you for this video. It contains tons of good information.

[maythecatbewithyou]

I like coconut oil just how I like olive oil... on my skin, not in my stomach :)

[KrwiomoczBogurodzicy]

03:57 - MCTs,

“(…) a small amount of saturated fat in your diet—roughly 5 percent of your total intake—is not only acceptable but also advised. A great healthy source of saturated fat is coconut, which also delivers medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These shorter chains of fats are easily digested and deliver many health benefits, such as improving brain and memory function, increasing energy and endurance, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and encouraging weight loss.” — Matt Frazier & Robert Cheeke, _The Plant-Based Athlete_ (foreword by Dr Greger)

Wondering if Dr Greger approves of this message.

[tara]

I would love to see what he eats in a day/week