Shopping Cart

Description	Qty	Price
The Harvard Medical School 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating (Print - Free U.S. Shipping!)		$20.00
Improving Memory: Understanding Age-Related Memory Loss (PDF - Lowest Price!)		$18.00
Harvard Health Letter (Print & Online Access (PDF)!)		$16.00
Subtotal		$54.00

Update Cart

Checkout

Please note: If you have a promotional code you'll be prompted to enter it prior to confirming your order.

Customer Sign In

Returning Customer

If you have an account, please sign in.

New Customers

If you subscribe to any of our print newsletters and have never activated your online account, please activate your account below for online access. By activating your account, you will create a login and password. You only need to activate your account once.

Activate My Account

Harvard Heart Letter

Ask the doctor: Is coconut good or bad for the heart?

Ask the doctor

Is coconut good or bad for the heart?

Published: September, 2006

Q. I have heard that coconut is bad for the heart and that it is good for the heart. Which is right?

A. Viewed in isolation, coconut and coconut oil can't be considered heart-healthy foods. A 2-ounce piece of fresh coconut contains more than 13 grams of saturated fat — nearly two-thirds of the recommended daily limit for the average person. Ounce for ounce, coconut oil delivers more saturated fat than butter, lard, or margarine. Feeding studies in humans, monkeys, and rabbits show that coconut oil substantially elevates LDL (bad) cholesterol.

To continue reading this article, you must login.

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

Research health conditions
Check your symptoms
Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
Find the best treatments and procedures for you
Explore options for better nutrition and exercise

Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online »

Related Articles
Related Topics

Tips to measure your blood pressure correctly

7 ways to keep stress — and blood pressure — down

Controlling your weight is key to lowering stroke risk

Alzheimer’s wake-up call

8 non-invasive pain relief techniques that really work

Practical advice for helping people with dementia with their daily routines

Finding relief from calluses and corns

8 non-invasive pain relief techniques that really work

Surgery-free pain relief for hips and knees

Want a stronger core? Skip the sit-ups

3 posture tips to get the most out of a core workout

Alzheimer’s wake-up call

Factors that increase your risk for a secondary cancer

Do gel manicures increase cancer risk?

Can diet help fight prostate cancer?

Ringing in the ear: tinnitus and hearing loss

7 ways to get heartburn relief

Healthy eating for blood sugar control

4 things you should know about erectile dysfunction

Understanding the risks of supplements and herbal remedies for prostate cancer

5 things that can scuttle good sex

Two keys to strong bones: Calcium and Vitamin D

Why do I lose a lot of hair each fall?

Don't fall for these skin myths

Ask the doctor: Is coconut good or bad for the heart?

Ask the doctor

Is coconut good or bad for the heart?

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

Related Articles

Related Topics