The health and nutritional benefits that can be derived from consuming coconut oil are unique and compelling. These benefits are underappreciated by consumer and producer alike. Coconut oil has a place in the arena of physiologically functional foods. A review of the diet/heart disease literature relevant to coconut oil clearly indicates that coconut oil is at worst neutral with respect to atherogenicity of fats and oils and, in fact, is likely to be a beneficial oil for prevention of some heart diseases. Additionally, coconut oil provides a source of anti­ microbial lipid for individuals with compromised immune systems and is a nonpromoting fat with respect to chemical carcinogenesis.