Coconut

Coconut/Drug Interactions:

  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: Coconut water (Cocos nucifera) has been shown to decrease mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans (12).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Coconut has been shown to decrease serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in controlled human trials (13; 14; 15; 16). However, some uncontrolled studies have also shown that in populations that consume large amounts of coconut compared to those who do not have higher serum cholesterol (17), and that consumption of coconut fat may increase serum cholesterol (18).

    • Coconut/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Coconut has been shown to decrease serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in controlled human trials (13; 14; 15; 16). However, some uncontrolled studies have also shown that populations that consume large amounts of coconut have higher serum cholesterol compared to those who do not have higher cholesterol levels (17), and that consumption of coconut fat may increase serum cholesterol (18).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: Coconut water (Cocos nucifera) has been shown to decrease mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans (12).
  • PsylliumPsyllium: Researchers have determined that coconut oil plus psyllium fiber supplementation resulted in significantly lower fat digestibility, and that fecal fat excretion was significantly higher than coconut oil alone (38).

    • Coconut/Food Interactions:

  • sInsufficient available evidence.

    • Coconut/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: Coconut water (Cocos nucifera) has been shown to decrease mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans (12).
  • Lipid profileLipid profile: Coconut has been shown to decrease serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in controlled human trials (13; 14; 15; 16). However, some uncontrolled studies have also shown that populations that consume large amounts of coconut have higher cholesterol levels compared to those who do not have higher cholesterol levels (17), and that consumption of coconut fat may increase serum cholesterol levels (18).