Because about 90% of coconut oil is saturated fat, coconut oil used to be considered unhealthy. Several studies have shown that this is not true. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). In contrast to long-chain fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids are mainly metabolized in the liver, making them an important source of energy. Since they are quickly oxidized by the liver, they are less likely to cause weight gain10.