Coconut oil has solid evidence for treating atopic dermatitis and preventing cavities when applied topically or used for oil pulling. It may help prevent hair damage, but the hype around weight loss, heart health, and brain function isn't backed by strong research yet—most claims come from animal studies, not human trials.

This was a narrative review, meaning researchers looked at and summarized existing peer-reviewed studies on coconut oil rather than conducting their own experiment.

Funding not disclosed in abstract