The answer isn’t quite clear.
It is common knowledge that coconut flesh, milk, and oil are high in saturated fat.Saturated fatty acids tend to raise levels of LDL cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol) in the blood, and elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with heart disease.
Not all saturated fats are created equally. Unlike the long-chain saturated fatty acids found in animal products, the principal fatty acid in coconut is lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fatty acid. Lauric acid has some antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. It’s an essential fatty acid for maintaining the body’s immune system. It can be concluded that eating coconut in moderation can actually be good for your health.”
It seems that the bottom line is that coconut oil in moderation is a fine substitute for other oils and especially dairy products. Health food? Not really. Great alternative to dairy? Looks like it.
