Do Coconut Oil and Coconut Water Provide Health Benefits?

Generally, saturated fat is safe; transfats are not. Coconut oil does not have transfats of any kind. Research over the years has shown this very effectively.

Peter Beckles 8:56AM November 20, 2011

I tend to think that when a particular product is over-hyped or on the other hand made into the "bad guy" that something fishy is going on.

Keep in mind that research funding for universities is often done by corporations, Ezines and magazines like this one get their funding from advertisers, and the government is heavily lobbied by certain sectors of the agricultural industry.

All it takes is one article being a little critical of a product or company, and that company will pull its funding or advertising. Or it will make threats, like Monsanto did to Fox News back in the early 2000's when a local station said it was going to run a critical story about bovine growth hormone.

So, to the person who suggested the writer was working for Con Agra: not really. I believe better of this author. But you'd better believe there was probably pressure on the writer to be VERY careful about how they researched this, the quotes and statements they used, etc.

Keep in mind that it was about 30 years about that the whole vegetable oil health craze (read: corn oil) kicked in. Everything else became the enemy, particularly coconut oil. And if you don't know it, the corn industry is very heavily subsidized, and has a huge impact on our entire US food system. So threatening the corn industry's market share will put anyone who does at risk.

Imho, what needs to happen here is thoughtful purchasing of what you think is best for you, if you can afford it, and after you do your own homework. If you read between the lines on this one, it feels like the author is suggesting coconut oil and coconut products are not nearly the evil characters they have been painted to be for the last 30 years, give or take. I think that's good enough reason to buy coconut.

Now, if it ever comes to the point that the coconut industry has a huge share of the market, you'd better worry, because it probably means they're tampering with it technologically and making it unsafe. If you can, eat organic all the time or grow or raise your own. Oh, and eat more veggies and fruit than anything else. And if you can't, do your best to take care of yourself and don't let anyone make you feel ashamed.

Michelle of IL 1:58PM December 24, 2010

My mom is a big fan of VCO she use it for cooking

I use it for moisturizing my skin after taking a shower.

It leaves my skin soft and supple.

I also use it to condition and moisturize my hair.

MeritVCO extra Virgin coconut oil also makes an

excellent addition to a fruit

smoothie or protein drink

jimmy of IA 1:23PM September 02, 2010

I have recently started drinking coconut water because I have heard so much in the media about the health benefits!! There are a few brands out there, I've tried them all...but Vita Coco is the best. It tastes the best and has no additives (I know Zico, for example, has a lot of other ingredients ick!) I highly recommend trying it out!! Great as a post-workout energy boost, and it also has the potassium of 2 bananas!!

You can purchase Vita Coco in bulk on Amazon.com...check it out!

Pooja of NY 2:09PM June 17, 2010