Virgin coconut oil and coconut water have become global craze with some semblance of celebrity stature, which medical experts said were indeed scientifically justifiable and not mere offshoots of media hype.

Oil extracted from coconut carries lauric acid that according to Dr Joseph Mercola considerably boosts the human body's ability to repeal the onslaught of various viruses and bacteria.

This 'miracle' compound aids our ability to generate monolaurin, which acts as man's inner armour whenever 'foreign agents' intrude into the human system, giving the body some form of natural and robust shields within, Dr Mercola told The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.

"The naturally occurring saturated fat in coconut oil is actually good ... and provides a number of profound health benefits, including improving heart health, supporting your immune system, boosting your thyroid and improving your skin," the Fairfax publication quoted him as saying.

Scientists also attested to the benefits that flow freely with coconut water, which according to Sayer Ji, a U.S-based expert on natural medicine, is one of the "few beverages on this planet (that is) as biocompatible to the human body."

"While some are concerned about the sugar content of this slightly sweet beverage, recent research shows that it actually exhibits blood sugar lowering properties," Mr Ji told The Herald.

His view is supportive of the recent study by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (GIMR) in Sydney, which reportedly showed that intakes of coconut oil and water effectively limits them onset of body fats and increases the human body's protection against insulin resistance.

Coconut, the GIMR research said, could be instrumental in arresting the development of Type 2 diabetes.

And the juice in the nut itself is rich with potassium, which according to Andrea Giancoli of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, "is important for heart health, regulating blood pressure and other body systems."

The same water has been credited by doctors in saving the lives of many patients by serving as alternative for intravenous hydration purposes. It was widely used during World War II when medical supplies were unable to reach wounded soldiers and civilians in the Pacific War theatres.

However, consumer advocacy group Choice remains under the impression that the rallying forces behind the popularity of coconut oil and water are the celebrity names attached with the coconut products that are commercially available.

Otherwise, all the good talks about coconut extracts and juice, which in the previous decades where believed to be a major source of saturated fat, amounted to no more than "the latest health fad," Choice told Fairfax.

Ms Giancoli, for her part, conceded that while coconut water is a good source of potassium, healthy diet alone can deliver the normal dosage of the mineral which the human body requires.

Choice added that if hydration is what a consumer wants, that can be obtained by drinking enough amount of water each day, which can be had for normally for free.