Coconut oil

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Heart and cholesterol effects³

  Studies in Asian countries suggest coconut oil may help heart health, but more long-term studies are needed.

• No harm found

  Heart and metabolic health⁴

  In people, coconut oil did not improve heart or metabolic health in randomized trials.

• Open question

  Cholesterol and heart risk⁵

  In people, eating coconut oil raised LDL cholesterol less than butter did, and raised HDL cholesterol more.

• Open question

  Appetite and fullness⁶

  In people, coconut oil did not curb appetite or food intake like MCT oil did.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Heart and weight effects⁷

  Scientists do not yet know whether coconut oil helps with weight loss or heart health, so more studies in people are needed.

• Open question

  Cholesterol levels⁸

  Coconut oil raised LDL cholesterol more than other vegetable oils, but also raised HDL cholesterol.

• Open question

  Heart and blood cholesterol⁹

  Scientists do not yet know whether coconut oil affects heart disease, though it raises cholesterol more than some vegetable oils.

• Concern

  Heart health¹⁰

  Studies show eating coconut oil raises LDL cholesterol, which could affect heart health.

• Open question

  Weight loss claims¹¹

  Scientists do not yet know whether coconut oil helps with weight loss, as studies so far give mixed results.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.