The professor warned against drinking this type of milk – it increases bad cholesterol

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High cholesterol is notorious for damaging vascular health over time, but the condition gives few warning signs of problems down the road. When symptoms do occur, it is usually a sign of progressive blockage of the arteries. One milk, which is widely considered a healthy alternative to dairy products, may contribute to this disease.

Coconut milk, which is high in saturated fat, is widely believed to be good for the heart. The drink, made from grated coconut pulp, has gained popularity as an alternative to plant-based dairy products.

The naturally sweet drink contains about half the calories of whole milk, and one cup of coconut milk contains about five grams of saturated fat, which is equal to the amount of whole milk. However, Alice H. Lichtenstein, a professor of nutrition and policy at Tufts University, warned that the drink could raise LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the blood.

The content of lauric acid, which is the main fatty acid in coconut oil, can increase the level of “bad” LDL cholesterol by reducing the activity of receptors that remove LDL from the blood. The effects of lauric acid were examined in two separate studies in similar populations, which found that human response to fat varies from person to person.

Other studies, however, have shown that replacing four percent of these fats with golden acid had very little effect on cholesterol levels.