Cardiologist says seemingly healthy food can raise cholesterol levels - Insider

Dr. Harmony Reynolds, a cardiologist at NYU Langone, said she noticed a pattern with her patients who ingested more coconut oil, a common ingredient in vegan processed food.

Coconut oil is often used as a butter substitute in vegan baking and cooking, and is popular because it provides a fat source that's solid at room temperature to help give foods the right texture.

It shows up in a huge range of vegan products from cookies and pastries, to dairy-free versions of cheese, ice cream, or coffee creamer, and even in pre-made meals like frozen burrito bowls or stir-fry kits.

One reason coconut oil is sometimes considered healthy is that it's high in a type of fatty acids called medium-chain triglycerides, which some evidence suggests can be absorbed more quickly than other fat sources, potentially boosting weight loss, energy, and brain health, although more research is needed.

Many of the vegan foods containing coconut oil are alsoultra-processed, which means that they contain additives like salt, sugar, and fat, and often have fewer nutrients and fiber.

"There's a lot more great choices out there right now, but you can be a vegan on a soda and potato chips diet," registered dietitian nutritionist Wendy Bazilian previously told Insider.