While coconut oil intake can raise LDL cholesterol, what beneficial type of cholesterol is often increased alongside it, which functions to remove other cholesterol forms from the bloodstream?
HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
Discussions surrounding coconut oil and cardiovascular health must address its impact on blood lipids, particularly cholesterol levels. Although coconut oil, being high in saturated fat, tends to increase both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—the type associated with arterial plaque buildup—it frequently demonstrates a concurrent rise in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is widely referred to as the 'good' cholesterol precisely because of its protective function. HDL actively scavenges excess or other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream, transporting them back to the liver for processing or elimination. This dual effect on both LDL and HDL must be weighed when assessing the overall impact of coconut consumption on the lipid profile.
