An interesting question posed and answered by Fiona Baker in an interesting and I thought informative column on this food, which she published in Body and Soul in September 2012
A
growing band of supporters - including scientists - are singing the healing and
restorative praises of coconut.
They
cite research and evidence to back their arguments and claim this humble, hairy
fruit contains properties that can prevent, or even cure, a wide range of
ailments from heart disease to Alzheimer's.
They
haven't convinced everyone: the Heart Foundation strongly
disputes their claims and says coconut oil in particular is an unhealthy
saturated fat and should be avoided. But retired CSIRO scientist and
honorary research fellow at the University of Queensland, Mike Foale, says the
Heart Foundation has got it wrong. Foale has been studying the coconut palm for
more than four decades and believes coconut is a superfood.
"There
is both scientific and abundant anecdotal evidence of great health benefits,
including increased energy, weight loss, natural antibiotic activity, cholesterol
reduction and insulin stabilisation," Foale says.
While
the popularity of bottled coconut water could be described as a fad, Foale is a
devotee of the oil. "Coconut oil is a staple for millions of tropical
coastal people worldwide and those people do not suffer from heart disease
while on their traditional diet," he says.
The
case for coconut
"Coconut
oil is the healthiest oil on earth," says Dr Bruce Fife, who runs the
Coconut Research Center in the US. While he doesn't dispute that the oil,
extracted from the meat of mature coconuts, is mostly made up of saturated fat,
Fife says scientific evidence shows it is a healthier version.
"Coconut
oil is unique because it is composed predominately of medium-chain
triglycerides (MCTs)," he says. "The size of the fatty acid is
extremely important because physiological effects of medium-chain fatty acids
in coconut oil are distinctly different from the long-chain fatty acids more
commonly found in our diet.
"It's
the MCTs in coconut oil that make it different from all other fats and, for the
most part, gives it its unique character and healing properties. Few foods nowadays
contain MCT. By adding coconut oil to your diet you can literally eat your way
to better health."
He
cites a long list of ways coconut oil has been found to benefit human bodies.
He says it:
- Protects
against heart disease by increasing good cholesterol and lowering the ratio of bad and good
cholesterol.
- Helps
treat malnutrition because it is easy to digest and absorb.
- Kills
disease-causing bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses because of the
antimicrobial effects of its fatty acids.
- Helps
diabetics by slowing sugar release into the bloodstream.
- Prevents strokes and brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- Boosts metabolism and increases energy because it is more
likely to be burned as fuel than stored as body fat.
However,
these claims are hotly contested by major organisations such as the Heart
Foundation and the Dietitians
Association of Australia (DAA). Fife dismisses such bodies' lack of support
for coconut oil as "prejudiced and outdated".
"Saturated
fats do not cause or even promote heart disease," he says, citing a 2010
research survey that looked at 21 different studies. "There was no
evidence saturated fats were harmful."
The
case against
While
protection against heart disease is one of the claimed benefits of coconut oil,
the Heart Foundation ironically strongly recommends avoiding it.
"Coconut oil, milk and cream are all high in unhealthy
saturated fat, which raises bad cholesterol levels, clogs the arteries and
increases the risk of heart disease," says Barbara Eden, the Heart
Foundation's senior manager of food supply.
"Our
recommendations are based on good-quality scientific evidence and don't
recommend eating foods high in saturated fat. There are many healthier oils
that don't raise cholesterol levels or increase the risk of heart
disease."
DAA
spokeswoman Tania Ferraretto agrees and says the evidence of any health benefits
from coconut oil is inconclusive.
She
believes it is a dietary fad and consumers should beware of any product that
makes broad-sweeping health claims.
"It
has a high saturated fat content – 85 to 90 per cent – which should be
avoided," Ferraretto says. "A product like coconut oil is not ever
going to provide a miracle cure. If you want to be healthy, eat a healthy diet
and exercise."
Perhaps
the last word should go to the findings of a 2010 research conference that
concluded the effect of a particular food on heart disease should not be judged solely by how much
saturated fat it contains, because different saturated fatty acids may have
different cardiovascular effects.
More
research is needed, but in the meantime, there's one thing we can all agree on:
coconut products taste great.
Coconut
oil prevents tooth decay
Coconut
oil fights bacteria responsible for tooth decay and could be a healthy, non-chemical
additive in toothpaste and mouthwash, Irish research suggests. Scientists found
that when the oil was treated with digestive enzymes it became a powerful
killer of mouth bugs that can lead to dental caries.
How
much coconut oil?
The
Coconut Research Center's Dr Bruce Fife recommends one to three tablespoons of
coconut oil a day for health maintenance. It can be used for frying and baking
or it can be added to foods such as popcorn instead of butter.
+
Coconut meat (raw): The super high-fibre content acts like a probiotic,
feeding the good bacteria in the intestines and keeping you regular.
+
Fresh coconut juice: Rich in electrolytes, it aids in hydration, providing
minerals essential for bodily functions such as movement and brain function.
+
Coconut oil (from the meat): Said to have numerous benefi ts, from protecting
against heart disease to helping with weight management.
+
Coconut cream/milk: High in lauric acid, it may boost your immune system and
protect against viral and bacterial infections.
