After the American Heart Association advised people to avoid coconut oil, a Harvard professor recommended to avoid it in a lecture she posted on YouTube. In the talk, titled "Coconut Oil and other Nutritional Errors," professor Karen Michels described coconut oil as "pure poison" and "one of the worst foods you can eat." A research scientist at Harvard, Vasanti Malik said: "Coconut oil is neither a superfood nor a poison." She explained in a post that it's best consumed in small amounts, as a periodic alternative to other vegetable oils like olive or canola." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Coconut oil is still an incredibly popular ingredient in all kinds of cooking. It features in an abundance of recipes designed for those with alternative dietary needs from vegan, paleo, and keto to recipes for those trying to be a little more careful when it comes to sustainability. By the early-to-mid 2010s, it had fast become one of the United States' favorite superfoods, according to The Washington Post. Director of the Institute for Prevention and Tumor Epidemiology at the University of Freiburg and professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Karin Michels, isn't sure it merits the popularity it's garnered over the years, however. During a lecture, titled "Coconut Oil and other Nutritional Errors," Michels made herself very clear with regard to dietary recommendations and underlined that coconut oil is not healthy. Its superfood status has been under scrutiny for some time since the American Heart Association (AHA) updated its guidelines and recommended that people avoid the saturated fatty acids found in coconut oil. Is coconut oil really 'pure poison'? Michels went a step further than to recommend avoiding the foodstuff, saying "coconut oil is pure poison" and "is one of the worst foods you can eat." Michels said there was no study showing significant health benefits to coconut-oil consumption and described coconut oil as being more dangerous than lard because it almost exclusively contains saturated fatty acids, ones that can clog the coronary arteries. You can identify fats that contain large quantities of saturated fatty acids by checking to see whether they remain solid at room temperature, as is the case with butter or lard. Based on the fact that they contain a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, experts recommend olive or rapeseed oil as an alternative, and while it can't be used for cooking, flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and is just as good for the body. While Michels doesn't describe other "superfoods" like acai, chia seeds, or matcha as harmful, at most she considers them ineffective because, in most cases, the nutrients they're touted for are available just as readily in other foods that are more easily accessible such as carrots, cherries, and apricots. "We are well and sufficiently supplied," she said. The AHA updated its guidelines, to recommend people avoid the saturated fatty acids found in coconut oil. Shutterstock Are saturated fats actually that unhealthy? Most researchers agree that olive oil or linseed oil can form an important part of a healthy diet. While the scientific world is still debating whether saturated fatty acids really are the work of the devil, others say with certainty that that's the case. However, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that people who routinely consume cheese, whole milk, and other high-fat dairy products — in essence, products high in saturated fatty acids — are at no higher risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke, or other illness than those who avoid such products. Another study using data from 135,000 people in 18 countries and published in The Lancet, found that high fat and low carbohydrate consumption were associated with a 23% lower risk of death. Coconut oil features a lot in recipes for those with alternative dietary needs. Melia Robinson/Business Insider The positive effect still stands, regardless of whether saturated or unsaturated fatty acids are being consumed. So what's the actual verdict on coconut oil? Most international dietary guidelines recommend enjoying saturated fats in moderation. As research scientist at the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Vasanti Malik explains, "coconut oil is neither a superfood nor a poison." "Its role in the diet falls somewhere in between," she says. "Coconut oil has a unique flavor and is best consumed in small amounts, as a periodic alternative to other vegetable oils like olive or canola." As the saying goes, the dose makes the poison so if you do have a soft spot for coconut oil, just take care not to overindulge.<doc-sep>The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut. This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side. RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions. To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January. VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020<doc-sep>Coconut oil has earned and lost its reputation as a so-called superfood in recent years. That's rightly so, according to a Harvard professor who has labeled it "pure poison." Karin Michels, professor of the department of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained recently during a lecture at the University of Freiburg, Germany, that—regardless of the advice peddled by unqualified and self-appointed online health gurus—consuming coconut oil carries a raft of health risks. According to a translation by Business Insider Deutschland, in her lecture "Coconut Oil and Other Nutritional Errors," Michels explained the substance poses a greater risk to heart health than lard as it is almost entirely made up of saturated fatty acids. These are believed to block our arteries. Generally, fats packed with fatty acids are those that are solid at room temperature. According to the American Heart Association, the average person should only consume around 11 to 13 grams of saturated fat per day, or 5 to 6 percent of their total daily calories. Unsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil, on the other hand, should also be eaten in moderation, but they could improve blood cholesterol. Michels is the latest to question the health benefits of coconut oil. Last year, the American Heart Association updated its science advisory, urging the public to avoid consuming coconut oil if possible. Following an analysis of over 100 studies dating back to the 1950s, researchers concluded saturated fats raise so-called bad cholesterol, or LDL. Coconut oil was found to spike LDL levels in seven controlled trials. Related: Probiotics could cause brain fogginess and bloating, study suggests But the public seems confused. A 2016 survey in The New York Times prior to the American Heart Association's revised guidelines revealed 72 percent of the public versus 37 percent of nutritionists believe coconut oil is "healthy." Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge of the Institute of Human Nutrition, at Columbia University, in New York, who was behind the research indicating coconut oil boosts the metabolism and weight loss because it contains an ingredient called medium-chain triglycerides in higher levels than most fats, spoke out last year to set the record straight. She told the American Heart Association the oil she used in her experiment was 100 percent medium-chain—not the 13 to 14 percent medium-chain oils that are most common. A person would need to eat 150 grams, or 10 tablespoons, of coconut oil a day to reap the benefits, which would be negated by the effects of consuming the substance in excess. She explained a healthy diet is "a moderation thing." "People don't want to face reality when it comes to their own dieting, their own health," she said. "They want to believe in wishful thinking…. But thinking you can have unlimited amounts of one particular thing and everything will disappear is not based on reality." Helen Barrett, qualified dietitian and British Dietetic Association spokesperson, told Newsweek the pros and cons of consuming coconut oil need to be considered within the context of an individual's diet as a whole. "If you are taking it to promote fat burning it is unlikely to happen," she said, adding it is not a lower calorie fat and is expensive in general when compared with similar products. "If someone has close relatives with cardiovascular disease and they are eating lots of other foods containing saturated fats, I would encourage them to reduce their consumption [of coconut oil]," she said. However, if a person eats very little saturated fat, loves coconut oil and does not want to swap it for a healthier fat, "the risk is likely to be lower," she argued. "But people should be aware of what the risks are and be mindful that coconut oil is maybe not a good thing," she warned, adding: "I wouldn't recommend anyone start eating coconut oil." This article has been updated with comment from Helen Barrett.<doc-sep>
Is coconut oil healthy for you or not? A Harvard professor has joined the debate, calling it "pure poison" in a lecture that has gone viral. The sweet-smelling tropical staple has gotten a lot of attention in recent years as a "superfood." Enthusiasts love its bounty of potential health benefits from fighting diabetes, to losing weight and even treating Alzheimer's disease. Folks following the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet like plunking the oil into coffee or blending it into smoothies. But Karin Michels, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, delivered a missive against the popular oil in a 50-minute video that's been viewed more than 800,000 times since it was posted last month. Michels said coconut oil "is one of the worst foods you can eat" and is worse than lard due to its high amount of saturated fatty acids, according to a translation from German by Business Insider Deutschland. Too much saturated fat in your diet has been linked to heart disease, high cholesterol and other health problems. Other foods that are high in saturated fat include lard, palm oil and high-fat dairy products such as butter, cream and cheese. These fats are also typically solid at room temperature. Michels is not the first to warn against coconut oil. The American Heart Association caused a stir last year when it issued an advisory that told people to avoid the oil due to its high levels of saturated fats. However, proponents have noted that the dominant fatty acid within coconut oil is lauric acid, which raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, but also increases HDL ("good") cholesterol levels dramatically, according to Everyday Health. Mark Hyman, MD, also sharply criticized the American Heart Association's advisory and disputes the link between saturated fats and heart disease. "If you're going to use coconut oil, make sure you get virgin oil," Dr. Tom Brenna, a professor of human nutrition at Cornell University, told The New York Times. "And, of course, everything in moderation." Also in her lecture, Michels said other "superfoods" such as acai, chia seeds and matcha are ineffective because the nutrients they're known for are easily found in more easily accessible foods such as carrots, cherries and apricots. "We are well and sufficiently supplied," she said.