There are so many oils out there that you can consume it’s hard to keep track of which ones are healthy and which ones aren’t. Especially when doctors keep changing their minds! One of the confusing oils to me is coconut oil. I’ve heard it’s bad for your heart but you can never know the truth until you go straight to the source. I’ve done the dirty work for you.

Coconut oil is mostly saturated fat, and that’s why it’s gotten a bad rap. But recently, saturated fats have been getting a second look because it turns out they’re not all the same. The saturated fatty acids that are abundant in butter, cream, and some meats have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. However, coconut oil contains lauric acid and stearic acid (also found in dark chocolate), and these seem to behave differently in the body; early research suggests they don’t raise heart disease risk.

Until the results are in, don’t make it a point to consume coconut oil. And I wouldn’t substitute it for oils we know are beneficial, such as olive oil and canola oil or the best weight loss pills. There is one positive outcome from the renewed scrutiny of coconut oil: It will almost certainly prove to be healthier than trans fat, which has led some food manufacturers to begin using it as a replacement. If you are feeling “weighed” down by all that trans fat you need diet pills.