Coconut Research
The journal articles listed below are just a small sampling of the many published studies involving coconut oil, medium-chain triglycerides, and other related subjects.
Is there enough evidence to support the health claims attributed to coconut? Go here for the answer.
Quick links to research categories on this page:
Coconut Oil
Coconut Water
Coconut Meat/Kernel
Coconut Milk
Coconut Eating Population Studies
Coconut Oil Studies
Antimicrobial Effects
Health Properties of Coconut Oil. Agro Food Industry Hi Tech. May/June 2013 Vol 24n3.
Coconut oil may prevent tooth decay. Medical News Today. 04 Sep 2012
Killing of Gram-positive cocci by fatty acids and monoglycerides. APMIS. 2001 Oct;109(10):670-678.
Inhibition of growth of dermatophytes by Indian hair oils. Mycoses. 1992 Nov-Dec;35(11-12):363-369.
Anticariogenicity of dietary glycerol monolaurin in rats. Caries Res. 1983;17(2):131-138.
Fatty acids and derivatives as antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1972 Jul;2(1):23-28.
Cancer
Cardiovascular Health
Note: A large number of studies are showing a direct correlation between chronic low-grade bacterial and viral infections and coronary heart disease. The primary culprits are Chlamydia pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus, and Helicobacter pylori. Each of these pathogenic
organisms as well as many others are effectively killed by the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil. Coconut oil, therefore, can reduce risk of heart disease.
Health Properties of Coconut Oil. Agro Food Industry Hi Tech. May/June 2013 Vol 24n3.
Palm oil and health: a case of manipulated perception and misuse of science. J Am Coll Nutr. 2010 Jun;29(3 Suppl):240S-244S.
Anti-inflammatory activity of virgin coconut oil. Philipp J Intern Med. 2007;Mar-Apr 45(2):85-88.
Coconut fats. Ceylon Med J. 2006 Jun;51(2):47-51.
Comparative Study of Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil, and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil. PJCS. 2004;24
Antibiotic treatment of atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2003 Dec;14(6):605-614.
Chronic infection and coronary artery disease. Cardiol Clin. 2003 Aug;21(3):333-362.
Chronic infections and atherosclerosis. J Med Assoc Thai. 2001 Dec;84 Suppl 3:S650-657.
Chronic infections and coronary heart disease: is there a link? Lancet, 1997 Aug;350(9075):430-436.
Coconut oil revisited. J Philipp Med Assoc. 1988;64(4):140-142.
Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
Health Properties of Coconut Oil. Agro Food Industry Hi Tech. May/June 2013 Vol 24n3.
Neonatal hypoglycemia. Biol Neonate. 1990;58 Suppl 1:16-21.
Coconut oil and its use in infant formula manufacturing. J Am Coll Nutr. 1988 Aug;7(4):325-329.
MCT absorption by preterm infants. Nutr Rev. 1976 Mar;34(3):71-73.
Medium Chain Triglycerides in Paediatric Practice. Arch Dis Child. 1970 August; 45(242): 445–452.
Nutritional properties of medium-chain triglycerides. J Am Oil Chem Soc. 1968 Jan;45(1):19-22.
Biochemical aspects of fat absorption. Gastroenterology 1966;50:78-82.
Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and other Neurological Disorders
Health Properties of Coconut Oil. Agro Food Industry Hi Tech. May/June 2013 Vol 24n3.
Efficacy of dietary treatments for epilepsy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2010 Apr;23(2):113-119.
Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic therapy. Epilepsia. 2008 Nov;49 Suppl 8:33-36.
Ketone bodies as a therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease. Neurotherapeutics. 2008 Jul;5(3):470-480.
Hypometabolism as a Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer’s Disease, BMC Neurosci. 2008;9 2: S16.
GLUT-1 deficiency without epilepsy–an exceptional case. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2003;26(6):559-563.
A multicenter study of the efficacy of the ketogenic diet. Arch Neurol. 1998 Nov;55(11):1433-1437.
Medical aspects of ketone body metabolism. Clin Invest Med. 1995 Jun;18(3):193-216.
The medium chain triglyceride diet and intractable epilepsy. Arch Dis Child. 1986; 61:1168-1172.
Therapeutic effects of a ketogenic diet in Rett syndrome. Am J Med Genet Suppl. 1986;1:225-246.
Medium-chain triglycerides in a ketogenic diet. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1977 Aug;19(4):535-538.
Ketogenic diet containing medium-chain triglycerides. J Am Diet Assoc. 1973 Mar;62(3):285-290.
Hyperketonemia induced in man by medium-chain triglyceride. Diabetes. 1966 Oct;15(10):723-725.
HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease
Coconut oil compound may treat STDs. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 1999 Sep;13(9):572.
Interviews and anecdotal reports. Posit Health News. 1998 Spring;(No 16):13-15.
Hospital Patient Care/Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition
Preterm infant massage therapy research: a review. Infant Behav Dev. 2010 Apr;33(2):115-124.
Therapeutic strategies for idiopathic chylothorax. J Pediatr Surg. 2008 Mar;43(3):461-465.
Nutrition of low birth weight infants. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2008 Jan-Mar;112(1):35-41.
Chyloperitoneum after blunt abdominal injury. Am Surg. 2007 Aug;73(8):811-813.
Medium-chain triglycerides and long-term parenteral nutrition in children. Nutrition 1992;8:333-337.
Mediuim chain triglycerides and structured lipids. Lipids 1987;22:417-420.
Liver Health
Anti-inflammatory activity of virgin coconut oil. Philipp J Intern Med. 2007;Mar-Apr 45(2):85-88.
Dietary regulation of mammary lipogenesis in lactating rats. Biochem J. 1980 Apr 15;188(1):61-65.
The malabsorption associated with chronic liver disease in children. Pediatrics 1971;50:73-83.
Malabsorption in cirrhosis. Am J Clin Nutr 1970;23:488-492.
Medium-chain triglyceride diet: its use in treatment of liver disease. Brit Med J 1966;2:1050-1051.
Medium and long chain fat absorption in patients with cirrhosis. J Clin Invest 1966;45:1317-1325.
Malabsorption Syndromes
(obstructive jaundice, cystic fibrosis, tropical sprue, a-beta-lipoprotenaemia, intestinal lymphangiectasia, pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal resection, etc.)
Bile Acid malabsorption. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2007 Feb;10(1):28-33.
Clinical use of medium chain triglycerides. Drugs. 1980 Sep;20(3):216-224.
Dietary supplement and nutrition in children with cystic fibrosis. Am J Dis Child 1975;129:165-171.
Nutritional aspects of chronic pancreatitis. Am J Clin Nutr 1973;26:367-373.
The malabsorption associated with chronic liver disease in children. Pediatrics 1971;50:73-83.
Malabsorption in cirrhosis. Am J Clin Nutr 1970;23:488-492.
Medium-chain triglycerides—clinical and metabolic aspects. J Am Dietet Assoc 1967;51:221-227.
Use of medium chain triglycerides in malabsorption. Ann Internal Med 1967;66:727-734.
Dietary treatment of protein-losing enteropathy. Acta Paediat Scand 1967;56:173-181.
Medium and long chain fat absorption in patients with cirrhosis. J Clin Invest 1966;45:1317-1325.
Medium-chain triglyceride diet: its use in treatment of liver disease. Brit Med J 1966;2:1050-1051.
Dietary treatment of protein loss in intestinal lymphangiectasia. Pediatrics 1964;34:629-635.
Absorption of medium chain triglycerides in tropical sprue. Proc Soc Exp Biol (NY) 1964;117:182-185.
Skin Health
Wound management with coconut oil in Indonesian folk medicine. Chirurg. 2002 Apr;73(4):387-392.
Killing of Gram-positive cocci by fatty acids and monoglycerides. APMIS. 2001 Oct;109(10):670-678.
Inhibition of growth of dermatophytes by Indian hair oils. Mycoses. 1992 Nov-Dec;35(11-12):363-369.
Other Health Concerns Involving Coconut Oil/Medium Chain Fatty Acids
The parathyroids and the gut. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2010 Aug;44(7):479-482.
Oral treatment of carnitine myopathy. Lancet. 1977 Apr 16;1(8016):853.
Nutritional aspects of chronic pancreatitis. Am J Clin Nutr 1973;26:367-373.
Medium Chain Triglycerides in Paediatric Practice. Arch Dis Child. 1970 August; 45(242): 445–452.
Miscellaneous
Coconut Water Studies
Coconut water is the liquid endosperm found inside the coconut shell. Coconut milk is the juice extracted from the solid endosperm (kernel) of the coconut. Some writers make no distinction between coconut water and coconut milk, although the character, physical, and chemical properties of the two are very different. All of the studies in this section involve coconut water. References to coconut milk in the following studies are actually referring to coconut water.
Cardiovascular Health
Influence of coconut water on hemostasis. Am J Emerg Med. 2001 Jul;19(4):287-289.
Coconut Phytohormones (growth stimulators/modulators)
Asepsis sowing and tissue culture of Bletilla striata. Zhong Yao Cai. 2004 Sep;27(9):625-627.
The culture of single plant cells: a historical view. Riv Biol. 2002 Sep-Dec;95(3):455-471.
Identification of a major cytokinin in coconut milk. Experientia. 1995 Nov 15;51(11):1081-1084.
Use of green coconut milk for the culture of animal cells. Rev Bras Biol. 1970 Apr;30(1):97-100.
Assay of substances stimulatory to legume nodule formation. Plant Physiol. 1967 Apr;42(4):557-562.
Single cells, coconut milk, and embryogenesis in vitro. Science. 1966 Sep 9;153(3741):1287-1288.
Morphogenetic substance in legume nodule formation. Science. 1966 Apr 1;152(3718):82-83.
Nodulation Factor For Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis. J Bacteriol. 1965 Apr;89:1134-9.
GROWTH stimulation by coconut milk. Nutr Rev. 1953 Jun;11(6):180-181.
Intravenous Therapy
Influence of coconut water on hemostasis. Am J Emerg Med. 2001 Jul;19(4):287-289.
The intravenous use of coconut water. Am J Emerg Med. 2000 Jan;18(1):108-111.
Coconut water as a rehydration fluid. N Z Med J. 1979 Aug 8;90(641):98-100.
Direct infusion of coconut water. Med J Malaysia. 1976 Mar;30(3):221-223.
Intravenous administration of coconut water. J Assoc Physicians India. 1972 Mar;20(3):235-239.
Coconut water for intravenous fluid therapy. Paediatr Indones. 1965 Jul-Dec;5(3):Suppl:782-792.
Coco-nut water for intravenous therapy. Br J Surg. 1962 Jan;49:421-422.
Intravenous infusion of coconut water. AMA Arch Surg. 1954 Feb;68(2):167-178.
Oral Rehydration Therapy
Green coconut water. J Assoc Physicians India. 1998 Jul;46(7):663-664.
Home prepared oral rehydration solution. Paediatr Indones. 1987 Nov-Dec;27(11-12):237-250.
Coconut water and rehydration. N Z Med J. 1980 Jul 23;92(664):67.
Coconut water as a rehydration fluid. N Z Med J. 1979 Aug 8;90(641):98-100.
Preservation of Living Tissue
Survival of spermatozoa in coconut milk extenders. Int J Fertil. 1960 Oct-Dec;5:437-5440.
Other Health Aspects of Coconut Water
Green coconut water. J Assoc Physicians India. 1997 Nov;45(11):904.
Coconut Meat/Kernel
The effects of different plant extracts on nematodes. Parasitol Res (2011) 108:1047–1054
Role of coconut (Cocus nucifera) protein in human nutrition. Afr J Med Sci. 1970 Oct;1(4):377-384.
A New Human Helminthic Infection in Cuba. The Journal of Parasitology Vol. 26, No. 3, Jun., 1940
Coconut Eating Population Studies
The Kitava Study
http://www.staffanlindeberg.com/TheKitavaStudy.html
Stroke in Papua New Guinea. Lancet Neurol. 2003 May;2(5):273
Childbearing beliefs among Cambodian refugee women. West J Nurs Res. 1990 Feb;12(1):108-118.
Ageing in the South Pacific. Physical changes with urbanization. Soc Sci Med. 1982;16(17):1539-1549.
Death in the South Pacific. N Z Med J. 1980 May 28;91(660):375-378.
The Tokelau Island migrant study. Int J Epidemiol. 1974 Sep;3(3):225-232.