Tropical Oils: A better saturated fat?

1. The role of dietary fat in obesity has been over-estimated in the past. But I think the pendulum may now have swung a bit too far in the other direction.The role of dietary fat in obesity is now being underestimated in some quarters. In other words: Fat doesn't make you fat--but it probably doesn't make you thin either.

2. The role of dietary fat (and saturated fat in particular) in heart disease has probably been over-estimated. See also Steve Parker's post "Diet-Heart Disease Hypothesis: RIP". My own pet theory is that the effect of dietary fats on health depends a lot on the quantity and quality of carbohydrates in the diet. Any study that fails to look at that interaction (which is most of them) is likely to reach unreliable conclusions.

3. Tropical oils are probably no more dangerous than animal saturated fats--which, as I noted above may not be as dangerous as we thought.

4. Unrefined (extra virgin) tropical oils also contain some valuable antioxidants and phytonutrients.

5. Buyer beware: Many of the health claims being made for coconut oil these days are unsubstantiated and/or exaggerated.

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