Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is high in saturated fat and MCTs. Evidence for unique metabolic benefits over other fats is mixed.
Overview
What is coconut oil?
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids including lauric acid, and antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Dosage
A typical dose of coconut oil is 7–20 grams per day, conferring around 5–10 g medium-chain triglycerides.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most coconut oil research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Oral health accounts for 6 of 13 studies (46%).
- COVID-19 accounts for 2 of 13 studies (15%).
- Dry skin accounts for 2 of 13 studies (15%).
- Sparse coverage remains for COVID-19, Dry skin, Eczema.
Safety
Coconut oil is likely safe and well tolerated for most people.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources13 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Eczema
2 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Eczema — Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Vehicle-Controlled Study of Topical Coconut and Sunflower Seed Oil-Derived Isosorbide Diesters on Atopic Dermatitis2024
A 4-week double-blind RCT in 32 adults with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis found coconut- and sunflower-oil-derived isosorbide diesters improved itch by 65.6% versus 43.8% with vehicle and reduced topical steroid use.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Eczema — The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial2014
In 117 children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, topical virgin coconut oil for 8 weeks reduced SCORAD scores by 68% versus 38% with mineral oil (P<0.001).
SupplementDEX Database · High cholesterol
1 reference3.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Postprandial Responses to Meals Enriched With Canola or Coconut Oil in Men and Women With a Risk Phenotype for Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Randomized Crossover Trial2025
A crossover trial in 29 adults with cardiometabolic risk found meals with canola oil raised postprandial triglyceride and IL-6 responses more than isoenergetic meals with coconut oil.
SupplementDEX Database · Oral health
6 references4.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — Evaluating the effect of virgin coconut oil pulling on viral load, bacterial load and inflammatory mediator levels in chronic periodontitis - A clinical study2025
In 30 patients with chronic periodontitis, virgin coconut oil pulling for 4 weeks after scaling reduced viral load, bacterial load, and inflammatory mediators comparably to chlorhexidine and better than distilled water.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial efficacy of coconut oil for periodontal pathogens: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial2025
A triple-blind RCT in 30 periodontitis patients found coconut oil reduced pathogenic oral bacteria such as Tannerella forsythia and lowered gingival IL-6 and TNF-α similarly to chlorhexidine.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — Comparison and Evaluation of the Efficacy of Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, and Sunflower Oil Pulling on Gingival Health-A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial2024
A triple-blind RCT in 80 adults aged 18–25 found sesame, coconut, and sunflower oil pulling all improved gingival health, with coconut oil showing the greatest benefit.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — Microbiological Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil Pulling in Comparison with Palm Oil Pulling as an Adjunctive Oral Hygiene Care for Patients with Gingival Inflammation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial2022
In 36 adults with gingival inflammation, 28 days of virgin coconut oil pulling did not outperform palm oil on total plaque bacteria, though palm oil significantly reduced Mutans streptococci.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — The Role of Coconut Oil in Treating Patients Affected by Plaque-Induced Gingivitis: A Pilot Study2020
A pilot study in 20 patients with plaque-induced gingivitis found daily coconut oil mouthwash for 30 days reduced plaque and bleeding indices more than routine oral hygiene alone.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: A randomized crossover clinical trial2019
A crossover trial in 29 volunteers found coconut oil pulling inhibited 4-day plaque regrowth similarly to 0.2% chlorhexidine, with less tooth staining.
SupplementDEX Database · Dry skin
2 references10.SupplementDEX Database: Dry skin — Virgin coconut oil as prophylactic therapy against alcohol damage on skin in COVID times2021
In 60 volunteers using alcohol hand sanitizer 6 times daily for 15 days, overnight virgin coconut oil improved perceived hand moisture by 25% and helped protect skin barrier from repeated alcohol exposure.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Dry skin — A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis2004
A double-blind RCT in 34 patients with mild-to-moderate xerosis found virgin coconut oil applied twice daily for 2 weeks was as effective and safe as mineral oil for improving skin hydration.
SupplementDEX Database · COVID-19
2 references12.SupplementDEX Database: COVID-19 — Virgin Coconut Oil as Adjunctive Therapy for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Tertiary Referral Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial2024
In 77 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, adjunct virgin coconut oil reduced abnormal CRP at treatment end (RR 0.75) but did not shorten hospital stay or symptom resolution and caused more adverse events.
13.SupplementDEX Database: COVID-19 — Virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation relieves symptoms and inflammation among COVID-19 positive adults: a single-blind randomized trial2024
A single-blind RCT in 76 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 adults found VCO recipients were symptom-free with normal CRP by day 14, versus day 23 for symptoms and day 25 for CRP in controls.