Like coconut oil, it became the last trend of “thinning effortlessly”

One more fashion to lose weight is virilizing on social networks, but this time comes in the form of saturated fat. Just look for “fasting coconut oil” on Tiktok to watch thousands of videos repeating the same formula Magic to lose weight. Meanwhile, in Spain, digestive diseases do not stop growing – they are already the second cause of hospitalization, According to the INE– And anxiety and intestinal imbalance They are increasingly common. What does one thing have to do with the other? Maybe much more than it seems.

A morning phenomenon. You just need to slide a few seconds in Tiktok to run into the new welfare ritual: a spoonful of coconut oil, taken on an empty stomach and without mixing with anything. The videos, which accumulate millions of visualizations under labels how #Coconutoilinthemoring either #OACEEDECOCOthey repeat a narrative that is has become In dogma: “Since I take it I feel more energy”, “my stomach is more flat” or “it is my secret to purify the body.” Some of these videos even include a before and after With visual results of abdominal fat loss, improvement of intestinal transit or luminous skin. Everything seems to fit into that promise of immediate, easy and effortless health. And this, of course, is part of the problem.

This phenomenon is not born from nothing. It is the 2025 version of a trend that has already been seen with Water with lemon, The intermittent fasting, The superfoods Or, more recently, type drugs Ozempic. What changed is not the message – calling effortless – but the wrapper. In social networks, especially in Tiktok, thinness remains an aspiring ideal disguised as health. Just explore hashtags how #Skinnytok To find thousands of videos of young people sharing tips to “look thinner”: from visual tricks to restrictive diets that barely reach 1000 calories a day. This is a symptom of how the algorithm is rewarding normative bodies and extreme habits, while penalizing more critical speeches.

What science says. Coconut oil is not a new or mysterious product. Its use is has studied for yearsespecially in relation to cardiovascular health, the metabolism of fats and their antimicrobial capacity. Some studies, as published in Nutrition ResearchThey suggest that moderate coconut oil consumption could improve the lipid profile, increasing HDL cholesterol (the “good”) and partly reducing triglycerides, thanks to its concentration of medium chain fatty acids. Antifungal and antibacterial properties have also been documented, mainly due to the lauric acid, which represents almost 50% of its composition. Nutritionist Sandra Moñino, an expert in intestinal microbiota, has explained in the Spanish that coconut oil can help against certain fungi such as Candida Albicansbut has warned: “You have to remember that it is a saturated fat. It has specific benefits, but it should not be consumed without control or as a daily routine.”

For its part, also the nutritionist Emma G., active in Tiktok, He has nuanced Even more: “Yes, it can be beneficial for some people, but it is not something that everyone should do. Many people have had digestive discomfort after introducing it on an empty stomach, and that is not counted.” In his video – which already exceeds 100,000 visualizations – he added a clear message: “There is no food that only makes you lose weight. It all depends on the set of your habits.”

Other uses. Beyond the oral use on an empty stomach, coconut oil has been appearing in other corners of the world years Wellness. The one who is now in a trend is the Oil Pullinga Hindu practice that consists of rinseing the mouth with oil for about 10-15 minutes before brushing your teeth. The issue is that they say it reduces bacteria, improves the health of gums and prevents caries. However, like They have explained Several experts in dentistry for the New York Times does not replace traditional dental hygiene, although it can help reduce the number of bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans.

Another recurring use is like Vaginal intimate or moisturizing lubricant. Here there are also lights and shadows: it can be effective in relieving dryness, but latex condoms weakens and can alter the vaginal pH, which makes it advisable in some cases, As warned in Healthline.

And in cosmetics It is almost omnipresent: hair, lips, body, masks … its emollient properties and its antibacterial effect make it useful for some skins, but its use is not universal. In fatty skin or with a tendency to acne, for example, you can obstruct pores and worsen the situation. Once again, the pattern is repeated: a product with some potential, but to which universal virtues are assigned without taking into account individual differences or context.

Beyond the ritual. Coconut oil can have interesting properties, and its use in certain contexts may be justified. But turning it into a universal routine or the last viral solution to lose weight is, at least, a dangerous simplification. As with so many trends that circulate through networks, which begins as an individual experience ends up transformed into mass recommendation without filter, without context and, often, without solid evidence.

Health – the real one, not that of Tiktok – is not built with shortcuts or with miraculous tablespoons. It is built with information, sustainable habits and decisions that have more to do with care than with the pressure to fit into an aesthetic ideal.

Image | Pexels

Xataka | Summer is approaching and with him the new obsessive trend to lose weight quickly: the patches to lose weight