Coconut oil has grown in popularity in recent years, amid claims that it can do everything from supporting weight loss to slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Many manufacturers have begun to use coconut oil in packaged products, and many people use it for cooking. Many products, such as fried foods, sweets, shampoos, coffee, smoothies, contain coconut oil.

In July 2016, results of a survey in the United States showed that 72% of people believed that coconut oil was healthful, but only 37% of nutritionists agreed.

Coconut oil contains over 80% saturated fat. Some experts have linked saturated fats with cardiovascular and other diseases.

The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting consumption of saturated fats to less than 10%Trusted Source of a day's calories. This means that someone following a 2000-calorie per day diet should eat no more than 20 grams (g) of saturated fat each day.

Find out more about the controversy, and if you should make coconut oil a staple in your diet.