Coconut oil: an overview of cardiometabolic effects and the public health burden of misinformation

Abstract

Recent data from meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) suggest that dietary intake of coconut oil, rich in saturated fatty acids, does not result in cardiometabolic benefits, nor in improvements in anthropometric, lipid, glycemic, and subclinical inflammation parameters. Nevertheless, its consumption has surged in recent years all over the world, a phenomenon which can possibly be explained by an increasing belief among health professionals that this oil is as healthy as, or perhaps even healthier than, other oils, in addition to social network misinformation spread. The objective of this review is to present nutritional and epidemiological aspects related to coconut oil, its relationship with metabolic and cardiovascular health, as well as possible hypotheses to explain its high rate of consumption, in spite of the most recent data regarding its actual effects.

Keywords: Coconut oil; internet; misinformation; saturated fatty acids; social media.

Figure 1. Coconut oil fatty acid composition. C4:0 = butyric; C6:0 = caproic acid; C8:0 = caprylic acid; C10:0 = capric acid; C12:0 = lauric acid; C14:0 = myristic acid; C16:0 = palmitic acid; C18:0 = stearic acid; C18:1: = oleic acid; C18:2 = linoleic acid.

Figure 2. Model of the process that pervades coconut oil misinformation generation originating from inadequate interpretation of scientific evidence. The model demonstrates the steps which were likely taken to result in an increased dietary consumption of coconut oil. These steps occurred after publication of studies that were typically conducted with methodological limitations and biases (and can possibly also be applied to explain the emergence of health misinformation in general). This can result in a skewed interpretation of scientific data, subsequently leading to inappropriate clinical applications and triggering health care-related misinformation spread on social media.

Figure 3. Conceptual framework of coconut oil knowledge distribution. Iceberg model on coconut oil knowledge distribution. Misinformation is generated when looking only at the “surface” concepts, failing to acknowledge the information presented “underwater”.