Harvard professor slams coconut oil as ‘pure poison’

Will you keep eating it?

Coconut oil has long been hailed as a superfood with claims that it can increase fat burning, kill harmful microorganisms, and reduce hunger.

However, many are rethinking their use of the oil after a Harvard professor slammed the product, calling it “pure poison”.

In a 50-minute lecture from Dr Karin Michels of Harvard’s School of Public Health, the professor claimed that coconut oil “is one of the worst foods you can eat”.

In her talk, titled ‘Coconut oil and other nutritional errors’, she warns of the high proportion of saturated fat presented in the product, which is known to raise levels of LDL cholesterol and in turn increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Her claims have been backed by both the American Heart Association and the British Heart Association.

“Coconut oil is about 86% saturated fat, about one-third more saturated fat than butter,” stated a spokeswoman from the British Heart Foundation.

“There has been speculation that some of the saturated fat present in coconut oil may be better for us than other saturated fats, but so far there is not enough good-quality research to provide us with a definitive answer.”

Heart associations are advising to eat the product in moderation, just like you would butter.

Written by Kate Stevens

Image: Getty

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Harvard professor slams coconut oil as ‘pure poison’