In the last decade consummation of coconut oil as a part of the diet has gained a bigger popularity, being recommended as a good choice in the fight with the overweight, by melting the belly fat and reducing feeling of hunger, boosting energy, having antimicrobial action, and even having possible positive effects on slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. 

But let's take a closer look what the science has to say - what is a fact and what is only a claim that hasn't been yet backed up with scientific evidence.

Coconut oil is one of the few plant oils consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids. Its main component is lauric acid, comprising about 48% of its total fat content.

One of the main arguments why this fat is beneficial is that coconut oil consists of medium-chain fatty acids, which are different from long-chain fatty acids and follow a different route in the organism, not being digested like the long-chain fatty acids. Medium-chain fatty acids are more water-soluble and that’s why they are carried through the bloodstream directly to the liver to be used as a fuel.

According to a publication of Harvard School of public health, "Coconut oil contains no cholesterol, no fibre, and only traces of vitamins, minerals, and plant sterols. Plant sterols have a chemical structure that mimics blood cholesterol, and may help to block the absorption of cholesterol in the body. However, the amount found in a few tablespoons of coconut oil is too small to produce a beneficial effect". "Coconut oil contains mostly lauric acid, which is not an MCT. Lauric acid is absorbed more slowly and metabolized like other long-chain fatty acids. So the health benefits reported from a specially constructed MCT coconut oil that contains medium-chain triglycerides other than lauric acid cannot be applied directly to commercial coconut oils." (1)  

According to the same source, based on a review of seven controlled trials, coconut oil was found to raise harmful LDL cholesterol levels. Taking into consideration these results, the American Heart Association in 2017 advised against the use of coconut oil, and suggested limiting all saturated fat. (2) 

A scientific article from 2019 on the effects of coconut oil on the cardiometabolic profile states that coconut oil contains as many calories and total fat as other fat sources, about 120 calories and 14 grams of fat per tablespoon. Coconut oil should be limited and encompassed within the current recommendations of SFA intake, which should be up to 10% of total caloric intake. (3) 

Тогава как можем да обясним все още огромната популярност на кокосовото масло? На първо място, много хора не търсят научни доказателства за твърдението за ползите от конкретна храна. По-голямата част от тях просто прочитат статия, в която се казва, че дадена храна или хранително вещество са много полезни за  здравето или за конкретен здравословен проблем и не биха се задълбочили, за да намерят доказателства в подкрепа на твърдението. Те биха включили директно препоръчаната храна в диетата си поради предполагаемата полза за здравето. В случая с кокосовото масло се твърди, че може да помогне в борбата с наднорменото тегло, има антиоксидантни свойства и дори може да забави развитието на болестта на Алцхаймер.  Второ, четем, как знаменитости се кълнат в чудотворните свойства на кокосовото масло за отслабване и поддържане на красотата и здраветж. Не на последно място, привържениците на тезата за ползите от кокосовото масло изтъкват като основен аргумент, че това масло се състои от средноверижни мастни киселини, които са различни от дълговерижните мастни киселини и следват различен път в организма, не се усвояват като дълговерижните мастни киселини. Последното, както сочи науката, не е вярно. 

However, the studies on health effect and potential benefits of coconut oil haven't proven the claims that coconut oil is good for you. A simple check on the web shows that the coconut oil business is a profitable business with very little capital investment. Coconut oil has been used widely in cosmetics for many years, but making it popular as a part of the healthy diet takes the demand to a new level since exactly in the food industry the turnover and consumption of the products is much faster. So in the case of the business the reason for making such claims is the financial profit. The business that makes a lot of money from coconut oil sales would definitely benefit from the image of the coconut oil as a healthy fat. As everybody knows, there are quite many people for whom obesity is an issue and who would try any food or supplement, which promises good results in the fight with the overweight. Some of the publications on the topic in different magazines could be linked with the coconut oil business, too, for example a celebrity has tried with coconut oil and succeeded in losing weight. 

Therefore, I would rather recommend the coconut oil mainly for external use. If cooking with it, it would be a better idea to limit it and not use it very often. 

Used sources:

(1) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coconut-oil/

(2) (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510)  

(3) Coconut oil intake and its effects on the cardiometabolic profile – A structured literature review (2019 article, authors Santos, Howell, Earnest, Teixeira).

Additional resources:

1) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282857

2) Walter C. Willett, M.D. – Harvard school of public health, Department of Nutrition, article from 2019