Coco

Related Terms

Arecaceae (family), caprylic acid, Chick-ChackT, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), coco, coco-da-bahia, coco-da-praia, coconut palm, coconut paspalum, Cocos L., Cocos nucifera, cocotier, copra, coqueiro, double coconut, kalpa vriksha (Sanskrit), khopar, kokospalme, lauric acid, linoleic acid, Lodoicea maldivica, medium-chain triglycerides, mnazi, monkey face, monounsaturated fatty acids, mysteric acid, nariyal, nucifera, oleic acid, palmitic acid, Paspalum laxum Lam., pokok seribu guna (Malay), polyethylene glycol-3 (TEA-PEG-3) cocamide sulfate, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, saturated vegetable oils, triethanolamine.
Coconut oil is a member of the family of tropical oils, which also includes palm, palm kernel, cocoa, and shea nut oils.

Background

The coconut fruit comes from the coconut palm, which grows in tropical climates around the world. Coconut and coconut water are both often used for cooking. Coconut water contains sugar, fiber, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Research suggests that coconut water can help rehydrate the body and restore blood volume after exercise. It may also be an effective moisturizer for mild-to-moderately dry skin and may help lower blood pressure.
Some studies have shown that coconut lowers cholesterol. However, there are conflicting results, and more evidence is needed to confirm this benefit.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Coconut water has been shown to rehydrate the body after exercise. However, larger-scale studies are needed to confirm this effect.

 C


Coconut water has been shown to rehydrate the body after exercise. However, larger-scale studies are needed to confirm this effect.

 C


Coconut flour may help control high blood sugar levels. However, more studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Coconut flour may help control high blood sugar levels. However, more studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


According to limited research, a coconut drink may shorten the duration of diarrhea in children. More trials are needed to confirm this benefit.

 C


According to limited research, a coconut drink may shorten the duration of diarrhea in children. More trials are needed to confirm this benefit.

 C


Limited research has compared the moisturizing effects of coconut oil and mineral oil for people with dry skin. Although coconut oil appears to be as effective as mineral oil, more research is needed before conclusions can be made.

C


Limited research has compared the moisturizing effects of coconut oil and mineral oil for people with dry skin. Although coconut oil appears to be as effective as mineral oil, more research is needed before conclusions can be made.

C


According to results from several studies, coconut may lower cholesterol levels. More trials are needed to confirm this benefit.

 C


According to results from several studies, coconut may lower cholesterol levels. More trials are needed to confirm this benefit.

 C


According to limited research, coconut may lower blood pressure. However, more research is needed before further conclusions can be made.

 C


According to limited research, coconut may lower blood pressure. However, more research is needed before further conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that coconut may improve infants' nutrition. More trials are needed to determine the benefits of feeding coconut alone to babies.

 C


Limited research suggests that coconut may improve infants' nutrition. More trials are needed to determine the benefits of feeding coconut alone to babies.

 C


A mixture of coconut oil, anise oil, and ylang ylang oil has been shown to effectively control lice. However, more high-quality research is needed to determine the effectiveness of using coconut alone.

C


A mixture of coconut oil, anise oil, and ylang ylang oil has been shown to effectively control lice. However, more high-quality research is needed to determine the effectiveness of using coconut alone.

C


A mixture of soybean, coconut, olive, and fish oils was found to be effective for improving liver function. However, studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of coconut alone.

 C


A mixture of soybean, coconut, olive, and fish oils was found to be effective for improving liver function. However, studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of coconut alone.

 C


According to limited research, significant effects of coconut oil as a therapy for psoriasis were lacking. More trials are needed before conclusions can be made on the effectiveness of coconut oil for this condition.

 C


According to limited research, significant effects of coconut oil as a therapy for psoriasis were lacking. More trials are needed before conclusions can be made on the effectiveness of coconut oil for this condition.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To treat dehydration after exercise, coconut water has been taken by mouth.
To manage diabetes, bakery products containing 50-250 grams of coconut flour have been taken by mouth.
To lower cholesterol, oatmeal raisin cookies containing coconut oil have been taken by mouth in combination with lovastatin for six weeks. Lunches containing 60 percent coconut oil from fat have been taken by mouth for five weeks. Coconut oil has been taken by mouth with or without psyllium fiber for seven days.
To treat high blood pressure, coconut water has been taken by mouth.
To treat dry skin, virgin coconut oil has been applied to the legs twice daily for two weeks.
To treat psoriasis, coconut oil has been applied to half the body before undergoing irradiation treatments.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Coconut oil may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Coconut oil may also interact with cholesterol-lowering agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Agero AL and Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis 2004;15(3):109-116.
Alleyne T, Roache S, Thomas C, et al. The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks. West Indian Med J 2005;54(1):3-8.
Antebi H, Mansoor O, Ferrier C, et al. Liver function and plasma antioxidant status in intensive care unit patients requiring total parenteral nutrition: comparison of 2 fat emulsions. JPEN J Parenter.Enteral Nutr 2004;28(3):142-148.
Fuchs GJ, Farris RP, DeWier M, et al. Effect of dietary fat on cardiovascular risk factors in infancy. Pediatrics 1994;93(5):756-763.
Hayes KC, Pronczuk A, Wood RA, et al. Modulation of infant formula fat profile alters the low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio and plasma fatty acid distribution relative to those with breast-feeding. J Pediatr 1992;120(4 Pt 2):S109-S116.
Innis SM, Akrabawi SS, Diersen-Schade DA, et al. Visual acuity and blood lipids in term infants fed human milk or formulae. Lipids 1997;32(1):63-72.
Koo WW, Hammami M, Margeson DP, et al. Reduced bone mineralization in infants fed palm olein-containing formula: a randomized, double-blinded, prospective trial. Pediatrics 2003;111(5 Pt 1):1017-1023.
Lloyd B, Halter RJ, Kuchan MJ, et al. Formula tolerance in postbreastfed and exclusively formula-fed infants. Pediatrics 1999;103(1):E7.
McKenney JM, Proctor JD, Wright JT, et al. The effect of supplemental dietary fat on plasma cholesterol levels in lovastatin-treated hypercholesterolemic patients. Pharmacotherapy 1995;15(5):565-572.
Nelson SE, Frantz JA, and Ziegler EE. Absorption of fat and calcium by infants fed a milk-based formula containing palm olein. J Am Coll Nutr 1998;17(4):327-332.
Nelson SE, Rogers RR, Frantz JA, et al. Palm olein in infant formula: absorption of fat and minerals by normal infants. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;64(3):291-296.
Masa RL and Masa DB. The cholesterol-lowering effect of coconut flakes in humans with moderately raised serum cholesterol. J Med Food 2004;7(2):136-140.
Saat M, Singh R, Sirisinghe RG, et al. Rehydration after exercise with fresh young coconut water, carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage and plain water. J Physiol Anthropol.Appl Human Sci 2002;21(2):93-104.
Sunoto. Home prepared oral rehydration solution. Paediatr.Indones. 1987;27(11-12):237-250.
Svahn JC, Feldl F, Raiha NC, et al. Fatty acid content of plasma lipid fractions, blood lipids, and apolipoproteins in children fed milk products containing different quantity and quality of fat. J Pediatr Gastroenterol.Nutr 2000;31(2):152-161.