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

Daily Health Tip

Memorize the warning signs of a stroke

The acronym FAST can help. F: Face drooping. Can the person smile? Is the smile uneven? A: Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? If the person raises both arms, does one drift down? S: Speech difficulty. Is the person's speech slurred? Can they repeat simple sentences you give them? T: Time to call 911. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911. Check the time so you know when the symptoms began.

7 ways to reduce stress and keep blood pressure down

3 diet changes to help lower cholesterol levels

Post stroke: Addressing thinking and memory problems

7 ways to reduce stress and keep blood pressure down

Take a moment to be mindful

Leverage your strengths for a more positive life

Exercises for pain free hands

4 ways to put off joint replacement

4 ways to keep moving with joint pain

How to get more fiber in your diet

11 stomach-soothing steps for heartburn

A strong core: The simple, flexible, and portable workout

Can diet help fight prostate cancer?

Most melanomas start as new spots

Factors that increase your risk for a secondary cancer

How to get more fiber in your diet

Common causes of constipation

Can diet help fight prostate cancer?

4 tips for coping with an enlarged prostate

Can diet help fight prostate cancer?

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