Abstract
Abstract Objectives Consumption studies of coconut oil on anthropometric and biochemical measures and mood are limited in healthy adults. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of coconut oil consumption on fasting triglycerides, blood glucose and cholesterol, blood pressure, body composition, waist-to-hip measure, and mood changes in healthy adults aged 18 or older (n = 23). Methods A free-living crossover design with two seven-week treatment periods; coconut oil added (30 mL/day), a no-coconut oil control treatment, and a seven-week washout period (IRB #19–86) was utilized. Body impedance analysis measurements (Tanita), blood pressure (Omron), and waist-to-hip measurements were taken at the beginning and end of each treatment. Three randomized compliance diet recalls (n = 6) and five mood questionnaires (Profile of Mood States) (n = 10) were collected during each study period. The mood questionnaire was analyzed by chi-square; other data was analyzed by a mixed effects model (IBM SPSS Statistics 26). Results In the coconut oil treatment (treatment), total cholesterol (p = 0.037) and triglycerides (p = 0.044) significantly increased, while HDL also increased and approached significance (p = 0.084). In the no-coconut oil control (control), increased triglycerides also approached significance (p = 0.060). In the treatment, % body fat (PBF) (p = 0.034), fat mass (FM) (p = 0.033), and total body water (TBW) (p = 0.037) were significantly higher, and corrected fat free mass (FFM) FFM-TBW approached significance (p = 0.075). In the no-coconut control group, % body fat approached significance (p = 0.056). Perceived sad mood (p = 0.013) and energetic mood (p = 0.013) decreased over the five measurements in the treatment group, while the control reported significant decreased lively mood (p = 0.036) and satisfaction (p = 0.045). No other measures were significant. Conclusions Inclusion of 30 mL/day of coconut oil (240 Kcals) in the diet may raise total and HDL cholesterol. However, % body fat and fat mass also increased, and perceived sadness and perceived energy levels also decreased. More studies are needed to confirm our results. Funding Sources Virginia M. Gladney Memorial Scholarship – Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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