Ask the doctor: Is coconut oil good for you?
The problem is that we don't have evidence as to whether regular use of coconut oil actually affects heart health negatively or positively. All we know is that it has both good and bad effects on cholesterol. But we also know that vegetable oils like olive oil and soybean oil, which are mainly unsaturated fat, lower LDL and increase HDL—both good effects. So coconut oil may be less unhealthy than butter or lard, but it is probably less healthy than vegetable oils like olive or soybean oil. It's fine to use it now and then, but I wouldn't use it on a regular basis.
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