Can You Consume Coconut Oil If You Have Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you surely have been through the overhaul when it comes to your diet. For instance, a strict no-no to white bread, full-fat cheese, and chips; and a high-five to celery sticks, tofu, and whole-wheat toast. Another area of concern for diabetics is the type of fat used during the cooking process.

You may have heard that coconut oil is a good substitute for refined cooking oil, but you may be unsure how it would potentially affect your diabetes. The pertinent question that you may ask is, “Is coconut oil better or worse for diabetics?” Here, we have included everything you need to know about coconut oil and your diabetes.

About Coconut Oil

The meat of mature coconuts is the source from where coconut oil is derived. This oil is a rich source of antioxidants and triglycerides, that boost energy. What’s more, it is significantly lower in cholesterol.

Coconut oil has a characteristic sweet and nutty flavour. Moreover, it leaves behind minimal grease. It is commonly used as a substitute for butter and olive oil as well as other vegetable oils during the process of cooking and baking.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Diabetics

For diabetics, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Moreover, a healthy weight is a vital component of a typical diabetes meal plan. This is more so true when it comes to type 2 diabetes, which is known to begin with insulin resistance in your body. Excessive weight has a direct impact on insulin resistance.

According to a 2008 study, individuals who consumed medium-chain fats such as coconut oil as an integral part of a weight-loss plan lost more fat in comparison with participants who consumed olive oil. Coconut oil is a rich source of medium-chain fats. This eventually means that coconut oil, which is a solid fat, is much harder to convert to stored fat. This makes it much easier for your body to successfully burn it off.

A separate study that was conducted in the year 2009 in lipids, too, corroborates the above findings. That said, more research needs to be conducted to support this claim definitively.

Research also indicates that virgin coconut oil possesses antioxidant as well as anti-stress properties. That said, an industry-standard is lacking when it comes to virgin coconut oil.

Are The Impacts Of Coconut Oil On Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes Different?

Some evidence suggests that coconut oil has the potential to lessen the symptoms of type 2 diabetes to a certain extent. A 2009 study carried out on animals found that consuming a diet rich in medium-chain fatty acids (such as coconut oil) could help in the prevention of obesity and combat insulin resistance, both of which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Further, a much more recent study involving rats showed that such consumption caused a reduction in blood sugar levels. Here, researchers also came to the conclusion that medium-chain fatty acids could help in lowering the buildup of fat and sustaining insulin action in both muscle and fat tissue. However, there is a downside. The rodents also demonstrated a greater buildup of fat and increased insulin resistance in the liver. Hence, much more research is required to know the precise relationship that exists between coconut oil and type 2 diabetes.

A distinct animal study that was published in the year 2010 found that diabetic rats that consumed coconut oil had lower levels of cholesterol and higher glucose tolerance.

Presently, research is lacking on the effects of coconut oil in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Potential Risk Factors

Despite its myriad benefits, coconut oil is considered unhealthy because it contains saturated fat. This fat can raise cholesterol levels, which can eventually lead to heart disease. What’s worse, individuals with diabetes have a greater chance of developing heart disease.

However, in the contrary, certain studies are beginning to show that coconut oil is a far better choice in comparison with other accepted oils. In comparison with sunflower oil, coconut oil did not alter the cardiovascular risk factors that were lipid related in those individuals who were receiving standard medical care.

The American Diabetes Association has advised individuals with diabetes to limit their intake of saturated fat to lower the risk of a heart attack. The organisation has recommended the substitution of coconut oil with what are considered to be healthier fats: safflower oil and olive oil.

If you have decided to use coconut oil in cooking, you must remember to do so in moderation. Consulting your healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet is also recommended.

The Final Word

Coconut oil does have its benefits; however, it is still a saturated fat, which means that when consumed in excess, it can lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

Despite animal studies demonstrating certain benefits, there is a lack of substantial research on how coconut oil impacts diabetes in humans. It might be safer to continue using healthy fats, such as olive oil, while consuming coconut oil in a small quantity.

Reference Links:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18326600/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19437058/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23892389/
4. https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/58/11/2547.full?sid=091dd77e-0632-4f1c-bcbd-f0b1c42544ba
5. https://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2010;volume=42;issue=3;spage=142;epage=145;aulast=Kochikuzhyil
6. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0132672
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/coconut-oil-and-diabetes#takeaway