The effects of coconut oil on the cardiometabolic profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Study answer

What this study found

Coconut oil did not show superiority over other oils or fats for body weight, waist circumference, body fat, LDL-C, triglycerides, or lipid ratios. A small increase in HDL-C was seen in some comparisons, but the certainty of evidence was very low and the risk of bias was high. The overall evidence does not support encouraging replacement of PUFA- or MUFA-rich oils with coconut oil in populations not accustomed to it. Findings were limited by heterogeneous regimens, small samples, and short follow-up.

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in adults.

Intervention

Coconut oil was the active supplement, given orally in a variety of regimens across the included trials, including 6 g capsules, 15 to 54.4 g/day, 25 to 30 ml/day, 39 to 50 g/day, or as 17.5% to 21% of daily calories.

Key limitation

The evidence base was limited by small trial sizes, short intervention durations, and substantial heterogeneity in coconut oil dose, formulation, and comparator.

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Original abstract