Ask the doctor: Is coconut good or bad for the heart?
Ask the doctor
Viewed in context, though, coconut may not be so bad. Some food companies are testing coconut oil as a replacement for the once-ubiquitous partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which contain hefty amounts of dangerous trans fats. Both coconut oil and trans fats increase LDL. But while trans fats reduce protective HDL, coconut oil has a powerful HDL-boosting effect.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
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
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.