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

5 ways to use less salt

7 ways to reduce stress and keep blood pressure down

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

7 ways to reduce stress and keep blood pressure down

Tips for beating anxiety to get a better night’s sleep

Trying to be perfect can cause anxiety

Create a plan to relieve your back pain

4 ways to put off joint replacement

Exercise can ease rheumatoid arthritis pain

Choosing a good moisturizer for your skin

Fat-dissolving treatments for a double chin

Want to live longer and better? Do strength training

Most melanomas start as new spots

Factors that increase your risk for a secondary cancer

Do gel manicures increase cancer risk?

Herbal remedies for heartburn

Simple tips to fight inflammation

Tips for healthy eating away from home

5 natural ways to overcome erectile dysfunction

Treating chronic prostatitis

Retirement blues: Taking it too easy can be hard on you

What's your t-score? Bone density scans for osteoporosis

5 ways to boost bone strength early

Is it just midlife, or is your thyroid slowing down?

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