Health officials advising against coconut oil

Coconut oil has been given a new black mark by the health establishment, with the Health Ministry and its nutrition advisers the latest to advise striking it from recipes for the good of our arteries.

Some health researchers have been alarmed by the promotion of coconut oil as a “superfood”, because of its high proportion of saturated fat. …

“Only a few studies have looked at the effect of coconut oil on humans. Their findings suggest that coconut oil is better than butter for blood cholesterol levels but not as good as unsaturated plant oils. …

Fitness consultant, Kiwi Living co-host and Vodafone Warriors nutritionist Lee-Anne Wann, the author of health and fitness books, has promoted coconut oil as part of a “cave man” diet which focuses on avoiding highly processed refined food. …

Ms Wann is also the ambassador for the company which is promoting sales of the oil, Blue Coconut New Zealand, whose managing director, John Drew, describes the product as “a miracle of nature”.