September 4, 2012 | David

I love the taste of coconut, so this research sounds too good to be true. Researchers have shown that coconut oil can fight the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.

But I won’t be cracking open a fresh coconut before bed each night. The coconut oil only worked against bacteria after being treated with enzymes. This treatment makes the oil acidic, which may be the reason for its antibacterial action.

The treated coconut oil could make a natural, and tasty, complement for toothpaste.