Harvard challenged: Coconut oil not villain but hero, says counter study

New Delhi: Days after a Harvard University professor warned against the consumption of coconut oil, calling it “pure poison”, many upset Indians are quoting a 2015 study where it was hailed as a “wonder” that decreased not only the girth of the waist but also the body mass in patients with coronary artery ailment.

Karen Michels, a professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, cited the oft-used ingredient in India as a health hazard and went on to demonise it recently, irking many Indians, particularly from the south of Vindhyas.

Arvind Varchaswi, the managing director of Sri Sri Tattva, an ayurvedic company based in Bengaluru, raked up the 2015 study to cite how the international narrative to portray coconut oil as a villain was incorrect.

A study showed that a diet rich in extra virgin #CoconutOil favor the increase of high density lipoprotein cholestrol (HDL or Good Cholestrol), aiding with secondary prevention for coronary artery disease. Read more athttps://t.co/xbgfhpcRn2

— Arvind Varchaswi (@arvindvarchaswi) August 31, 2018

Coconut oil has been used for centuries in #Ayurveda because of its healing properties & positive effects on the body & mind. The recent claim about Coconut Oil being poison is false. I will be happy to know how #CoconutOil has helped you in your life pic.twitter.com/3jsWVjxAh7

— Arvind Varchaswi (@arvindvarchaswi) August 31, 2018

The recent claim about #coconutoil being poison is by all means fallacious & deceptive as coconut oil contains Lauric acid which gets converted inside the human system into Monolaurins- the best fat. Read more on https://t.co/5ltePal5im pic.twitter.com/aD0joMXawj

— Arvind Varchaswi (@arvindvarchaswi) August 26, 2018

The ayurvedic fraternity, which considers coconut oil a superfood, took no time to throw their weight behind Varchaswi’s find. Art of Living teacher Khurshed soon joined in.

Coconut has medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which creates myelin sheath around nerves. This fastens the time in which information is processed this helps in planning, analysing & quick decision making. This is exactly what your brain needs in difficult situations. #CoconutOil

— Khurshed (Bawa) (@khurshed) August 31, 2018

Coconut oil contains so many anti-oxidants that it resists oxidation even if preserved for longer periods, whereas all other fats would have been oxidised to transfatty acids by the time they come on the food store shelves. #CoconutOil is a super food that way

— Khurshed (Bawa) (@khurshed) August 31, 2018

And the floodgates opened! Indians took to social media to vent their ire at Michel's study.

#CoconutOil is rich in vitamin B & other fat soluble Vitamins like A, D, E, K, Beta Carotene & some amino acids, & is used in cooking.

In 1960s, in an experiment on hydrogenated oil, some vested interests came up with the find that Coconut is bad for health. pic.twitter.com/lv4Iw5qEba

— D K Hari & Hema (@Bharathgyan) August 31, 2018

Benifits of #CoconutOil are endless. It can also replace a number of hazardous personal care products, including moisturizers, hair masks, shaving lotion, cleansers and makeup removers, body scrub, toothpaste and much more! @arvindvarchaswi

— Babu Beg (@BabuBegOfficial) August 31, 2018

Coconut has medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which creates myelin sheath around the nerves. This sends nerve impulses & form axons. It helps in planning, analysing & quick decision making. This is exactly what your brain needs in difficult situations #CoconutOil @arvindvarchaswi

— Harshul Agarwaal (@AgarwaalHarshul) August 31, 2018

Well done #CoconutOil
It also boosts my immunity and energy and helps in weight loss !

— Passing Shower 🕊️⛈️ (@passing_showers) August 31, 2018

Soon, coconut oil became the top trend on Twitter. People not only from south India but also from the Hindi heartland joined the Twitter outrage. Stating just one thing in unison: We love our coconut oil.