Coconut oil: a saturated fat that raises LDL cholesterol

Coconut oil is sold as a healthy fat, and the cholesterol data say otherwise. A meta-analysis of 16 clinical trials in adults found it raised LDL cholesterol by 10.47 mg/dL compared with nontropical vegetable oils (95% CI 3.01 to 17.94), though the trials disagreed widely on the size (I2 84%). HDL cholesterol went up too, by 4.00 mg/dL. The weight loss claim was tested and did not hold. Across 7 randomized trials with 515 adults, coconut oil did not significantly lower body weight compared with other oils and fats (mean difference -0.53 lb (95% CI -1.8 to 0.75; metric: -0.24 kg, -0.83 to 0.34)). The authors rate the certainty of those 7 trials as very low, because they were small, short and at high risk of bias. The oil itself is almost all fat, 99.9 g per 3.5 oz (100 g) in UK data, and 86.5 g of that is saturated.

The numbers, per 3.5 oz (100 g)

As people eat it, per 3.5 oz (100 g)

How much is actually in it

• UK composition data list coconut oil at 99.9 g fat and 86.5 g saturated fat per 3.5 oz (100 g), with 6.0 g monounsaturated and 1.5 g polyunsaturated fat. — CoFID 2021 Oil, coconut (17-031) (n = 1 record) Evidence E source
  Fat 99.9 g, saturated 86.5 g (91.9% of fatty acids), MUFA 6.0 g, PUFA 1.5 g per 3.5 oz (100 g); USDA FDC 330458 gives saturated 82.5 g

What a real portion looks like

• US dietary survey data set one tablespoon of coconut oil at 14 g, roughly 12 g of saturated fat. — FNDDS Coconut oil, food code 82101500 (fdc 2710182) (n = 1 record) Evidence E source
  1 tablespoon = 14 g; 1 cup = 224 g

What your body absorbs

• In a crossover RCT in 16 adults, total carotenoid absorption from a salad was 55% higher with olive oil than with coconut oil. — 16 adults, salad with 28 g test fat, plasma sampled for 10 h (n = 16) Evidence B source
  Positive iAUC of total carotenoids 55.2% higher with olive oil; in vitro bioaccessibility 24.0% vs 14.9%
• In a 4-week RCT in 63 adults aged 50 and over, 20 micrograms of vitamin D3 in a coconut oil dairy drink raised 25(OH)D even in people already vitamin D sufficient. — 63 healthy adults aged 50+, 20 mcg vitamin D3 daily for 4 weeks (n = 63) Evidence B source
  25(OH)D rose significantly only with the coconut oil drink and the supplement in vitamin D-sufficient participants

What cooking and storage change

• A scoping review on tropical oils notes that prolonged, repeated heating to high temperature can degrade their vitamin E. — Peer-reviewed and gray literature on palm and coconut oils Evidence D source
  Qualitative; no size reported

What it does to your health

• In a meta-analysis of 16 clinical trials, coconut oil raised LDL cholesterol by about 10.5 mg/dL compared with nontropical vegetable oils. — Adults in 16 clinical trials lasting at least 2 weeks (n = 16 trials) Evidence A source
  LDL-C +10.47 mg/dL (95% CI 3.01 to 17.94); HDL-C +4.00 mg/dL (95% CI 2.26 to 5.73)
• A scoping review for the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 found coconut oil may raise LDL cholesterol versus other plant oils but may lower it versus animal fats. — Systematic reviews and meta-analyses on fats and oils Evidence C source
  Direction only; underlying reviews of low methodological quality
• The same 16-trial meta-analysis found coconut oil did not change blood sugar, inflammation or body fat compared with nontropical vegetable oils. — adults in clinical trials comparing coconut oil with other fats (n = 16 trials) Evidence A source
  No significant effect on glycemia (4 trials), CRP (5 trials), body weight (8 trials), body fat (5 trials)
• An umbrella review of 9 meta-analyses found replacing polyunsaturated oils with coconut oil raised total cholesterol by 5.88 mg/dL and HDL, but not LDL. — adults in meta-analyses of dietary oil trials, tropical and Asian countries focus (n = 9 meta-analyses) Evidence A source
  Total cholesterol +5.88 mg/dL (0.21 to 11.55); HDL-C +2.27 mg/dL (0.93 to 3.6); LDL-C not significant
• A 2024 umbrella review of 48 studies rated the evidence that coconut and palm oil raise total and LDL cholesterol, and also HDL, as low to very low certainty. — adults in meta-analyses of vegetable oil consumption (n = 48 studies (206 meta-analyses)) Evidence A source
  Coconut and palm oil: higher total cholesterol and LDL, higher HDL (low to very low certainty)
• A network meta-analysis of 54 trials found coconut oil, like liquid oils, lowered LDL by 8.9 to 16 mg/dL (0.23 to 0.42 mmol/L) compared with butter, and ranked best for raising HDL. — adults in randomized trials of at least 3 weeks comparing oils and solid fats (n = 54 trials) Evidence A source
  Vs butter: LDL-C -16 to -8.9 mg/dL (-0.42 to -0.23 mmol/l) across oils including coconut; coconut oil SUCRA 88% for HDL-C; safflower and rapeseed best for LDL-C
• In an RCT of 94 healthy UK adults aged 50 to 75, 50 g a day of coconut oil for 4 weeks did not raise LDL compared with olive oil, while butter did. — men and women aged 50-75 years, general community in Cambridgeshire, UK (n = 94) Evidence B source
  LDL-C coconut vs olive oil -1.5 mg/dL (95% CI -10 to 7.3; metric: -0.04 mmol/L, -0.27 to 0.19); butter vs coconut +16 mg/dL (7.3 to 25; metric: 0.42 mmol/L, 0.19 to 0.65); HDL-C coconut vs olive +6.2 mg/dL (0.16 mmol/L)
• A 2025 dose-response meta-analysis of 15 trials with 620 adults found coconut oil did not cause clinically meaningful weight loss. — adults in 15 clinical trials (parallel or cross-over) of coconut oil versus coconut oil-free diet or other oils (n = 620) Evidence A source
  Body weight MD +0.09 lb (95% CI 0.02 to 0.18; metric: 0.04 kg, 0.01 to 0.08); BMI +0.01 kg/m2 (0.00 to 0.02); waist circumference not significant; GRADE moderate for weight and BMI, low for waist
• A 2022 meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials with 515 adults found coconut oil did not lower body weight, waist size or body fat, with very low certainty. — adults in RCTs comparing coconut oil with other oils or fats, follow-up 4 weeks to 2 years (n = 515) Evidence A source
  Body weight MD -0.53 lb (95% CI -1.8 to 0.75; metric: -0.24 kg, -0.83 to 0.34); waist -0.25 in (-0.67 to 0.16; metric: -0.64 cm, -1.69 to 0.41); body fat -0.10% (-0.56 to 0.36); GRADE very low
• A 2020 meta-analysis of 16 trials found coconut oil did not change measures of body fat compared with nontropical vegetable oils. — clinical trials of at least 2 weeks comparing coconut oil with other fats; body weight in 8 trials, body fat in 5, waist in 4 (n = 16 trials) Evidence B source
  No significant effect on adiposity markers versus nontropical vegetable oils
• In an RCT of 94 UK community adults aged 50 to 75, 50 g a day of coconut oil, olive oil or butter for 4 weeks produced no differences in weight or belly fat. — men and women aged 50-75 years, general community in Cambridgeshire, UK, 50 g/day of one fat for 4 weeks (n = 94) Evidence B source
  No significant differences in change in weight, BMI or central adiposity among the three groups

Safety, limits and interactions

• A WHO 2022 systematic review of 128 cohorts concludes dietary fats should come from seeds, nuts or liquid vegetable oils rather than coconut oil. — 128 prospective cohort studies (n = 128 cohorts) Evidence C source
  Recommendation; no effect size for coconut oil itself
• A meta-analysis of 16 trials found coconut oil raised LDL cholesterol by 10.47 mg/dL compared with nontropical vegetable oils. — adults in clinical trials comparing coconut oil with other fats for at least 2 weeks (n = 16 trials) Evidence A source
  LDL-C +10.47 mg/dL (95% CI 3.01 to 17.94, I2 84%); HDL-C +4.00 mg/dL (95% CI 2.26 to 5.73); robust to excluding nonrandomised and low-quality trials
• In an RCT of 48 adults with metabolic syndrome, 2 tbsp (30 ml) a day of virgin coconut oil for 4 weeks raised total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, and lowered triglycerides. — subjects, aged 20-50 years, with MetS (n = 48) Evidence B source
  TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and ADMA increased vs usual diet; TG, VLDL and fasting glucose decreased
• WHO recommends adults and children limit saturated fat to 10% of energy and replace it with polyunsaturated or plant monounsaturated fats. — adults and children Evidence E source
  SFA at most 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation); replacement with PUFA (strong)
• In a crossover trial of 12 postmenopausal women, 2 tbsp (30 mL) a day of virgin coconut oil for 28 days raised LDL by 13.5 mg/dL and one woman reacted badly. — postmenopausal women (58.8 years), 2 tbsp (30 mL) VCO or high-oleic safflower oil for 28 days each (n = 12) Evidence B source
  LDL +13.5 mg/dL, total cholesterol +18.2 mg/dL with VCO; body composition measured by DXA
• A 2020 meta-analysis of 16 trials found coconut oil raised LDL cholesterol by about 10.5 mg/dL compared with nontropical vegetable oils. — clinical trials of at least 2 weeks comparing coconut oil with other fats (n = 16 trials) Evidence B source
  LDL-C +10.47 mg/dL (95% CI 3.01 to 17.94; I2 84%); HDL-C +4.00 mg/dL (2.26 to 5.73)
• In an RCT of 48 adults with metabolic syndrome, 2 tbsp (30 ml) a day of virgin coconut oil for 4 weeks raised total and LDL cholesterol and did not change body measures. — subjects, aged 20-50 years, with MetS (n = 48) Evidence B source
  TC, LDL-C and ADMA increased vs usual diet; anthropometric parameters not different
• WHO recommends adults and children limit saturated fat to 10% of energy. — adults and children Evidence E source
  SFA at most 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation)

What people believe that the data does not support

• In a meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials with 515 adults, coconut oil did not lower body weight versus other oils and fats (mean difference -0.53 lb (-0.24 kg)). — 515 adults, 50% women, follow-up 4 weeks to 2 years (n = 515) Evidence A source
  Body weight MD -0.53 lb (95% CI -1.8 to 0.75; metric: -0.24 kg, -0.83 to 0.34); waist MD -0.25 in (95% CI -0.67 to 0.16; metric: -0.64 cm, -1.69 to 0.41)
• In a 24-week RCT in 120 older adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease, 30 mL/day of virgin coconut oil did not improve cognition compared with canola oil. — 120 Sri Lankan adults over 65 with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease, 30 mL/day for 24 weeks (n = 120) Evidence B source
  No significant difference in cognitive scores; attrition 30%
• In an online survey of 3160 people in southern Brazil, 82.5% of coconut oil users considered it healthy, yet 81.2% noticed no health improvement. — 3160 online respondents, southern Brazil (n = 3160) Evidence C source
  82.5% considered it healthy; 81.2% saw no improvement; 73.5% kept their opinion after reading meta-analysis conclusions
• A WHO 2022 systematic review concludes dietary fats should come from seeds, nuts or liquid vegetable oils rather than coconut oil. — general population Evidence C source
  Coconut oil grouped with hydrogenated and land animal fats as fats to limit
• A 2024 meta-analysis found MCT-enriched diets lowered body weight by about 1.5% versus long-chain fats in people with overweight, but mixed medium-long-chain fats did not. — individuals with overweight or obesity in trials of MCT-enriched versus LCT-enriched diets Evidence A source
  Weight WMD -1.53% (95% CI -2.44 to -0.63) for MCTs; -1.62% (-2.78 to -0.46) for pure MCTs; MLCT diets not significant

Who this works differently for

• In a 4-week RCT in 94 adults aged 50 to 75, 50 g/day of extra virgin coconut oil changed LDL cholesterol no differently from olive oil, while butter raised it by 16 mg/dL (0.42 mmol/L) versus coconut oil. — Healthy men and women aged 50-75, Cambridgeshire UK, 50 g/day for 4 weeks (n = 94) Evidence B source
  Butter vs coconut oil LDL-C +16 mg/dL (95% CI 7.3 to 25; metric: 0.42 mmol/L, 0.19 to 0.65); coconut vs olive oil -0.04 (95% CI -0.27 to 0.19)
• A 2025 meta-analysis of 14 RCTs with 1,049 adults found virgin coconut oil lowered triglycerides and raised HDL, with no significant change in other lipid markers. — adults in RCTs of virgin coconut oil supplementation, 11 countries, 2 to 24 weeks (n = 1049) Evidence A source
  TG WMD -12.12 mg/dL (95% CI -23.14 to -1.09); HDL-C WMD +7.91 mg/dL (95% CI 4.41 to 11.40); LDL-C no significant change; TC rose in participants under 50
• In 200 Indian patients with stable heart disease on standard care, cooking with coconut oil instead of sunflower oil for 2 years did not change lipids or events. — patients with stable CAD on standard medical care, India (n = 200) Evidence B source
  No significant difference in lipids, Lp(a), apo B/A-1, vascular function or cardiovascular events at 2 years
• In an RCT of 156 adults with central obesity, an extra virgin olive oil diet for 12 weeks gave lower LDL than an extra virgin coconut oil diet. — individuals with central obesity, aged 25-45 years (n = 156) Evidence B source
  Mean LDL cholesterol significantly lower with EVOO vs EVCO and red palm olein; hs-CRP similar
• In a 12-week double-blind trial of 40 women with abdominal obesity on a calorie-cut diet and daily walking, BMI fell in both groups and waist size fell only with coconut oil. — women aged 20-40 years with waist circumference >35 in (88 cm), 30 mL/day coconut oil or soybean oil, hypocaloric diet and 50 min walking daily (n = 40) Evidence B source
  BMI reduced in both groups; waist circumference reduced only in coconut oil group (P = 0.005)
• In a 45-day randomized trial of 29 men with obesity, 2.4 tsp (12 mL) a day of extra virgin coconut oil gave no difference in body measures compared with soybean oil. — adult men with obesity, 12 mL/day extra virgin coconut oil (n=15) or soybean oil (n=14), isoenergetic balanced diet (n = 29) Evidence B source
  No difference in anthropometric variables between groups; HDL rose with coconut oil

What is still unknown

• The 7 pooled randomized trials (515 adults) on coconut oil and cardiometabolic markers carry a high risk of bias and very low certainty of evidence. — 7 RCTs, 515 adults (n = 515) Evidence A source
  GRADE certainty very low
• A 2022 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs with 515 adults found no significant change in LDL with coconut oil, a small HDL rise, and very low certainty evidence. — adults in randomized clinical trials of coconut oil versus other oils or fats (n = 515) Evidence A source
  LDL-C MD -1.67 mg/dL (95% CI -6.93 to 3.59); HDL-C MD +3.28 mg/dL (95% CI 0.66 to 5.90); TG MD -0.24 mg/dL
• In the same 2025 meta-analysis, trials lasting more than 4 weeks showed a small weight gain with more coconut oil, not a loss. — RCT subgroup with intervention longer than 4 weeks (n = 13 trials, 572 participants) Evidence A source
  Body weight MD +0.10 per 5 mL/day (95% CI 0.04 to 0.17) in trials over 4 weeks; non-significant in shorter trials
• A 2023 meta-analysis of 9 trials reported a small weight drop of 1.7 lb (0.75 kg) with coconut oil versus other fats, with no change in waist size. — adults in clinical trials of more than one month comparing coconut oil with other oils or fats (n = 546) Evidence A source
  Body weight -1.7 lb (-0.75 kg) (P=0.04); BMI -0.28 kg/m2 (P=0.03); fat mass % -0.35% (P=0.008); waist -0.24 in (-0.61 cm) (P=0.30, ns)

The bottom line

Which fat coconut oil replaces changes the comparison. In a 4-week trial in 94 healthy adults aged 50 to 75 in Cambridgeshire, 50 g a day of extra virgin coconut oil moved LDL cholesterol no differently from olive oil (-1.5 mg/dL (95% CI -10 to 7.3; metric: -0.04 mmol/L, -0.27 to 0.19)). Butter raised LDL by 16 mg/dL (0.42 mmol/L) against coconut oil (95% CI 0.19 to 0.65). A scoping review for the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 says coconut oil may raise LDL compared with other plant oils and may lower it compared with saturated animal fats, with no size attached, and its authors judged the reviews underneath it to be of low quality. A WHO 2022 systematic review of 128 cohorts concluded that dietary fats should come from seeds, nuts or liquid vegetable oils rather than coconut oil. That is a recommendation about saturated fat in general, with no effect size for coconut oil alone. A tablespoon, the US survey portion, weighs 14 g. In a crossover trial in 16 adults eating a salad with 28 g of test fat, total carotenoid uptake over 10 hours was 55.2% higher with olive oil than with coconut oil, in a single-meal test. In 63 adults aged 50 and over, a dairy drink made with coconut oil and carrying 20 micrograms of vitamin D3 a day for 4 weeks raised blood vitamin D even in people who already had enough. The abstract reports only that the rise was significant, with no size. A scoping review of tropical oils says prolonged, repeated heating to high temperature can degrade their vitamin E, and gives no number. Virgin coconut oil was also tested for Alzheimer disease. In 120 Sri Lankan adults over 65 with mild to moderate disease, 2 tbsp (30 mL) a day for 24 weeks did not improve cognition compared with canola oil, and 30% of participants dropped out. Belief runs ahead of experience here. In a self-selected online survey of 3160 people in southern Brazil, 82.5% of coconut oil users considered it healthy, and 81.2% had noticed no health improvement. We have no card on coconut oil and allergy, pregnancy, children or medicines, so this page cannot say who should be careful beyond the LDL finding above.

Sources

1. cocoil-daily-r2-12 · food composition dataset
   Oil, coconut (CoFID 17-031, OC): fat 99.9 g, saturated fat 86.5 g per 100 g food (91.9 g per 100 g fatty acids), monounsaturated 6.0 g, polyunsaturated 1.5 g, energy 899 kcal; USDA FDC 330458 saturated fat 82.5 g, fat 99.1 g (Foundation samples 98.6-99.4, n=6)
   CoFID 2021 (Public Health England, OGL v3.0), code 17-031 Oil, coconut · checked 2026-09-29
2. cocoil-daily-r2-13 · food portion dataset
   Coconut oil (FNDDS 82101500, fdc 2710182, WWEIA Salad dressings and vegetable oils): 1 tablespoon = 14 g, 1 cup = 224 g, quantity not specified = 14 g
   USDA FNDDS, food code 82101500 Coconut oil (FDC 2710182) · checked 2026-09-29
3. cocoil-daily-r2-05 · RCT
   The bioaccessibility of TC was greater with olive oil (24.0%) than with coconut oil (14.9%)...Similarly, the positive iAUC1-10h of TC, α-carotene, and lycopene were 55.2%, 110.8%, and 45.8%, respectively, higher with olive oil than with coconut oil.
   Am J Clin Nutr, 2023 · checked 2026-09-29
4. cocoil-daily-r2-06 · RCT
   However, for vitamin D-sufficient participants at baseline, 25(OH)D concentrations only increased significantly with the coconut oil dairy drink and supplement.
   Br J Nutr, 2023 · checked 2026-09-29
5. cocoil-daily-r2-10 · scoping review
   Nevertheless, prolonged and repeated use of tropical oils to high temperature can degrade vitamin E, whereas excessive intake may result in overdose.
   BMC Public Health, 2024 · checked 2026-09-29
6. cocoil-daily-r2-01 · meta-analysis
   Coconut oil consumption significantly increased LDL-cholesterol by 10.47 mg/dL (95% CI: 3.01, 17.94; I2 = 84%, N=16) and HDL-cholesterol by 4.00 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.26, 5.73; I2 = 72%, N=16) as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.
   Circulation, 2020 · checked 2026-09-29
7. cocoil-daily-r2-09 · scoping review
   Coconut oil may increase LDL-cholesterol when compared to other plant oils but may decrease LDL-cholesterol when compared to animal fats rich in SFA.
   Food Nutr Res, 2024 · checked 2026-09-29
8. ev-cocc-02 · meta-analysis of trials
   Coconut oil consumption did not significantly affect markers of glycemia, inflammation, and adiposity as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.
   Circulation, 2020 · checked 2026-10-07
9. ev-cocc-04 · umbrella review
   Replacement of PUFAs with coconut oil significantly increased HDL-c and total cholesterol -by 2.27 (0.93-3.6) mg/dL and 5.88 (0.21-11.55) mg/dL, respectively-but not LDL-c.
   Nutrients, 2021 · checked 2026-10-07
10. ev-cocc-05 · umbrella review
    Conversely, low to very low certainty evidence suggests that oils high in saturated fats, such as coconut oil and palm oil, increase total cholesterol and LDL concentrations but also raise high-density lipoprotein concentrations.
    Adv Nutr, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
11. ev-cocc-06 · network meta-analysis of RCTs
    Safflower, sunflower, rapeseed, flaxseed, corn, olive, soybean, palm, and coconut oil as well beef fat were more effective in reducing LDL-C (-0.42 to -0.23 mmol/l) as compared with butter.
    J Lipid Res, 2018 · checked 2026-10-07
12. ev-cocc-08 · RCT
    LDL-C concentrations were significantly increased on butter compared with coconut oil (+0.42, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.65 mmol/L, P<0.0001) and with olive oil (+0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.60 mmol/L, P<0.0001), with no differences in change of LDL-C in coconut oil compared with olive oil (-0.04, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.19 mmol/L, P=0.74).
    BMJ Open, 2018 · checked 2026-10-07
13. ev-cocwl-01 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Overall, our findings suggest no clinically significant effects of coconut oil supplementation on weight loss.
    BMC Nutr, 2025 · checked 2026-10-07
14. ev-cocwl-03 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Coconut oil intake did not significantly decrease body weight (MD -0.24 kg, 95% CI -0.83 kg to 0.34 kg), waist circumference (MD -0.64 cm, 95% CI -1.69 cm to 0.41 cm), and % body fat (-0.10%, 95% CI -0.56% to 0.36%)
    Lipids Health Dis, 2022 · checked 2026-10-07
15. ev-cocwl-04 · meta-analysis of clinical trials
    Coconut oil consumption did not significantly affect markers of glycemia, inflammation, and adiposity as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.
    Circulation, 2020 · checked 2026-10-07
16. ev-cocwl-09 · RCT
    There were no significant differences in changes in weight, BMI, central adiposity, fasting blood glucose, systolic or diastolic blood pressure among any of the three intervention groups.
    BMJ Open, 2018 · checked 2026-10-07
17. cocoil-daily-r2-11 · agency review
    Thus, dietary fats should come largely from seeds, nuts or liquid vegetable oil (olive, canola) rather than hydrogenated vegetable fats or land animal fats and coconut oil.
    WHO 2022, Saturated fat and trans-fat intakes and their replacement with other macronutrients · checked 2026-09-29
18. ev-cocc-01 · meta-analysis of trials
    Coconut oil consumption significantly increased LDL-cholesterol by 10.47 mg/dL (95% CI: 3.01, 17.94; I2 = 84%, N=16) and HDL-cholesterol by 4.00 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.26, 5.73; I2 = 72%, N=16) as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.
    Circulation, 2020 · checked 2026-10-07
19. ev-cocc-11 · RCT
    However, levels of TC, LDL-C, and ADMA elevated by VCO consumption.
    Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2021 · checked 2026-10-07
20. ev-cocc-12 · agency guideline
    WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).
    WHO, 2023, Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline · checked 2026-10-07
21. ev-cocwl-10 · RCT
    One person had adverse reactions to VCO and increased inflammation.
    J Med Food, 2017 · checked 2026-10-07
22. ev-cocwl-11 · meta-analysis of clinical trials
    Coconut oil consumption significantly increased LDL-cholesterol by 10.47 mg/dL (95% CI: 3.01, 17.94; I2 = 84%, N=16) and HDL-cholesterol by 4.00 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.26, 5.73; I2 = 72%, N=16) as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.
    Circulation, 2020 · checked 2026-10-07
23. ev-cocwl-12 · RCT
    However, levels of TC, LDL-C, and ADMA elevated by VCO consumption.
    Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2021 · checked 2026-10-07
24. ev-cocwl-13 · agency guideline
    WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).
    WHO, 2023, Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline · checked 2026-10-07
25. cocoil-daily-r2-02 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    We included seven studies in the meta-analysis (n = 515; 50% females, follow up from 4 weeks to 2 years)...Coconut oil intake did not significantly decrease body weight (MD -0.24 kg, 95% CI -0.83 kg to 0.34 kg), waist circumference (MD -0.64 cm, 95% CI -1.69 cm to 0.41 cm)
    Lipids Health Dis, 2022 · checked 2026-09-29
26. cocoil-daily-r2-07 · RCT
    The treatment group was given 30 mL/day of VCO orally and the control group, received similar amount of canola oil, for 24 weeks...Overall, VCO did not improve cognition in individuals with mild-to-moderate AD following a 24-week intervention, compared to canola oil.
    J Alzheimers Dis, 2023 · checked 2026-09-29
27. cocoil-daily-r2-08 · survey
    Among participants who consumed coconut oil (59.1%), 82.5% considered it healthy and 65.4% used it at least once a month. 81.2% coconut oil consumers did not observe any health improvements.
    Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2022 · checked 2026-09-29
28. ev-cocc-13 · systematic review of cohort studies
    Thus, dietary fats should come largely from seeds, nuts or liquid vegetable oil (olive, canola) rather than hydrogenated vegetable fats or land animal fats and coconut oil.
    WHO, 2022, Saturated fat and trans-fat intakes and their replacement with other macronutrients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies · checked 2026-10-07
29. ev-cocwl-06 · meta-analysis
    However, our subgroup analysis indicates that an MLCTs-enriched diet did not significantly reduce weight loss.
    Clin Nutr, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
30. cocoil-daily-r2-04 · RCT
    LDL-C concentrations were significantly increased on butter compared with coconut oil (+0.42, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.65 mmol/L, P<0.0001) and with olive oil (+0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.60 mmol/L, P<0.0001), with no differences in change of LDL-C in coconut oil compared with olive oil (-0.04, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.19 mmol/L, P=0.74).
    BMJ Open, 2018 · checked 2026-09-29
31. ev-cocc-07 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Pooled analyses showed that VCO significantly reduced triglycerides (WMD: - 12.12 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 23.14 to - 1.09) and increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD: 7.91 mg/dL; 95% CI: 4.41 to 11.40).
    Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 2025 (Zhang et al.) · checked 2026-10-07
32. ev-cocc-09 · RCT
    There was no statistically significant difference in the anthropometric, biochemical, vascular function, and in cardiovascular events after 2 years.
    Indian Heart J, 2016 · checked 2026-10-07
33. ev-cocc-10 · RCT
    EVOO resulted in significantly lower mean LDL cholesterol compared with RPOO and EVCO, despite similar effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol subfractions.
    Eur J Nutr, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
34. ev-cocwl-07 · RCT
    Reductions in BMI were observed in both groups at T2 (P < 0.05), but only group C exhibited a reduction in WC (P = 0.005).
    Lipids, 2009 · checked 2026-10-07
35. ev-cocwl-08 · RCT
    There was no difference in anthropometric variables between the groups before and after intervention.
    Food Funct, 2020 · checked 2026-10-07
36. cocoil-daily-r2-03 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Overall risk of bias was high, and certainty of evidence was very-low. Study limitations include the heterogeneity of intervention methods, in addition to small samples and short follow-ups
    Lipids Health Dis, 2022 · checked 2026-09-29
37. ev-cocc-03 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    However, coconut oil intake was associated with a small increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD 3.28 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.66 to 5.90 mg/dL).
    Lipids Health Dis, 2022 · checked 2026-10-07
38. ev-cocwl-02 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    There was a credible subgroup difference, where trials with more than 4 weeks duration showed a significant increase in body weight (MD: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.17, P = 0.002), but trials with an intervention duration less than 4 weeks did not (P for subgroup difference = 0.039, Supplementary Table 4).
    BMC Nutr, 2025 · checked 2026-10-07
39. ev-cocwl-05 · meta-analysis of clinical trials
    Results indicate a small statistically significant reduction in BW, BMI, and FM% in the coconut oil group.
    Minerva Endocrinology, 2023 (Swarnamali et al.) · checked 2026-10-07