Long-time senior researcher at the Heart Research Institute, Professor Kerry-Ann Rye, says the benefits are minimal, when compared to the risks in consuming the saturated fats in coconut oil, even if it is 'virgin'.
Professor Rye believes modest consumption of monounsaturated oils like olive and canola (as commonly found in a ‘Mediterranean’ diet), combined with exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables, will have more benefits in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.
Meanwhile global trials on the effect of increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol (HDL) are yet to produce conclusive results and possibly won't for another five years.