COCONUT vs CHOLESTEROL

Hi all,

Kerala cuisine is rich in coconut oil and coconut which , as we all know is very high in cholesterol and bad for ur heart.

But how is the incidence of heart problems in Kerala?

Especially among vegetarians who don't have the benefit of eating fish?

hi ,
thats a well debated topic all over the world.just because FDA does not approve of it does not mean its not good.i am not a dietician or sceientist nor does have much knowledge to do research,but i have across a countless research articles ,lots of write ups etc regarding this,i truly believe that coconut oil is good for heart and body according to results of research done on tropical populations.

if interested do check the links

http://http://ezinearticles.com/?Coconut-Oil-Helps-Lower-Cholesterol&id=744406

Cholesterol and Coconut Oil - The Coconut Diet™

The Effects of Coconut Oil on Cholesterol

Thank you Neets,

You have given me some very interesting links.

Hi,

Incidence of heart diseases in kerala is increasing day by day because of hereditary factors, sedentary life style and dietary habits..I believe its not because of coconut/coconut oil consumption.Some doctors argue that coconut oil has saturated fat, it must be bad for you.
Studies show that a diet with extra virgin coconut oil(urukenna) is quite consistent with outstanding cardiovascular health and helps to increase HDL level...Extra virgin coconut oil is minimally processed and traditionally prepared so its better than other coconut oils.
http://kerala.gov.in/keralacallmay04....pdf..Benefits of coconut oil..

But some other report says:
over 80 per cent of patients with coronary artery disease and stroke in kerala have had normal serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Elevated serum cholesterol does not appear to be a risk factor for heart disease/ stroke in the State.

As neets said its a well debated subject and still researches going on...thanks neets for those links..

Krishnendu , Thanx for the info.
Sometimes even I feel in olden days when coconut oil was a staple cooking medium, incidences of high cholestrol were less reported ,but again -it is debatable.

I got to know virgin coconut oil should not be heated . Is it so?

Hi Shakambari,

As i have read, virgin coconut oil is not destroyed by heat. The medium chain fatty acids in VCO are very resistant to heat.

Thank u Satyasri for the info.