6 Myths About Coconut Oil — Busted!

Coconut oil is a popular topic... In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of Google searches on coconut oil daily! It seems everyone wants to know everything about this amazing fat. And yet, there's a lot of misinformation floating around, too. This false information can quickly turn into perpetuated myths that are even harder to bust. Unfortunately, this is one of the downsides to having an information Mecca at your fingertips. I decided to take a look at some of the more popular myths I've seen floating around to help decongest the information pathways.

Myth #1 -- All Coconut Oil Is The Same

This couldn't be further from the truth. There are significant differences between coconut oils depending on the brand and the processing manner. The quality and flavor of coconut oil depend on several things: where the coconuts come from, how the trees are grown, and what method of processing is used. Cheaper refined coconut oils have been processed using high heat, then bleached and deodorized. This intense processing may also damage some of the oil's nutrient qualities. Wilderness Family Natural's coconut oils are all processed in a manner which preserves the integrity and nutrient qualities of the coconut fat. Each oil is processed in a different way to produce a unique flavor and to suit every budget. (Learn how to decode coconut oil labels and about the different types of coconut oil here.)

Myth #2 -- Coconut Oil Causes Heart Disease

The myth that coconut oil causes heart disease was originally linked to its high percentage of saturated fat. Since the 1950s, saturated fat has been demonized due to the misleading "Lipid Hypothesis" by a man named Ancel Keys. This myth was perpetuated during the low-fat era of the 1980s and 1990s. Thankfully, new research busts these myths. It wisely suggests that we should be looking more closely at our consumption of refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, and ultra-processed foods and beverages (and NOT at saturated fats) as the leading causes of heart disease.

Myth #3 --  Coconut Oil Will Cure Alzheimer's

The truth is that there is still no known cure for Alzheimer's. Research is, however, suggesting more natural ways to help improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia (source). Existing studies suggest that the lauric acid naturally found in coconut oil stimulates ketone production in the body (source). Ketones are necessary for mental cognition. Coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), of which nearly 50% of these are lauric acid. While further studies are needed, many functional medicine doctors advocate for the use of coconut oil for neuro-degenerative disorders. Coconut oil has been of particular interest in this research, but nothing is definitive yet.

Myth #4 -- Coconut Oil Is Great For Every Skin Type

While this myth isn't entirely false, it's important to discern that coconut oil may not be an effective skin moisturizer for everyone. For many people, myself included, it is wonderful! Coconut oil is highly resistant to oxidization and is free from harsh synthetic chemicals and fragrances. Furthermore, WFN's coconut oils are minimally processed. It's as natural as a moisturizer can get! Coconut oil simply does not work for everyone's skin type. Those with sensitive or acne-prone skin may actually experience more breakouts from coconut oil. Of course, there are people who are allergic to coconut -- in which case, all coconut and coconut oil uses are out of the question!

Myth #5 -- Coconut Oil Will Make You Lose Weight

There is no magic pill for weight loss. Consuming coconut oil alone -- or even as a supplement in your standard diet -- won't magically make you shed fat. This isn't to say coconut oil can't aid in helping you burn fat. However, simply eating tablespoons of coconut oil daily without making other lifestyle and diet changes is unlikely to result in substantial weight loss. Unfortunately, many people adopt this mentality toward diet and weight loss. And a multi-billion dollar industry exists to capitalize on that mentality -- selling us shakes, pills, and all sorts of diet foods. Some studies suggest that coconut oil most certainly can aid in weight loss (source). MCTs have been proven to help the body burn fat more effectively compared to LCTs (source). (Read more about the potential benefits of MCTs here.) What this suggests is that coconut oil can be a healthy addition to a whole foods diet and exercise plan.

Myth #6 -- Everything Will Taste Like Coconut!

Depending on the recipe and the kind of coconut oil you use, you may not taste any lingering coconut flavors -- especially if you're using a refined, organic, expeller pressed coconut oil. For those who are hypersensitive and simply cannot palate coconut flavors but wish to benefit from the amazing health qualities of coconut oil, you may prefer WFN's expeller pressed coconut oil. It has been refined to remove the coconut flavor while still maintaining the same health-promoting qualities of the MCTs in cold-pressed coconut oil.

Are you surprised by any of these myths? Are there any myths about coconut oil that you want busted?