The short answer
MCT oil is coconut oil from which the medium-chain fatty acids, C8 and C10, have been kept. As oil, 10 g of MCT costs 0.44 to 0.48 EUR; as powder, 1.57 to 1.71 EUR, almost four times more, because the powder contains 30% acacia gum. On weight loss, a meta-analysis of 13 trials measures half a kilo of difference compared with standard oils: real, but very modest.
The comparison, at the price of 10 g of MCT
| Brand and format | Composition | Price | Price of 10 g of MCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| KoRo, organic C8 MCT oil, 500 ml | caprylic acid C8 | 20.00 EUR | 0.44 EUR |
| Nutribe, organic MCT Pure, 500 ml | C8 60%, C10 40% | 21.70 EUR | 0.48 EUR |
| Nutrimuscle, organic MCT powder, 1 kg | 70% MCT (C8 and C10), 30% acacia gum | 109.95 EUR | 1.57 EUR |
| Nutrimuscle, organic MCT powder, 250 g | 70% MCT (C8 and C10), 30% acacia gum | 29.95 EUR | 1.71 EUR |
What this table tells us
The powder costs almost four times more
Nutrimuscle’s MCT powder contains 70% MCT oil bound to 30% acacia gum. It is this carrier that allows it to be mixed into a coffee or a shaker without rising to the surface. Convenience has a price: 1.57 EUR per 10 g of MCT in the 1 kg size, against 0.44 EUR as oil. If you use it in a vinaigrette, a yoghurt or a smoothie, the oil does exactly the same job.
Pure C8 or a C8 and C10 blend
Caprylic acid, C8, is the one the liver converts into ketones fastest. That is the argument for 100% C8 oils for people following a ketogenic diet. Outside that context, a C8 and C10 blend like Nutribe’s works just as well, and the two oils compared cost almost the same.
These are saturated fats, and they are energy-dense
100 g of MCT oil provides 840 kcal, entirely as saturated fatty acids, according to the KoRo label. A 10 g tablespoon is about 85 kcal. Added to a diet that otherwise does not change, MCT oil makes you gain weight, not lose it.
What studies say about weight loss
A meta-analysis published in 2015 pooled 13 trials and 749 adults who replaced part of their usual oils with MCT. Result: 0.51 kg more weight lost compared with long-chain oils, and a waist circumference reduced by 1.5 cm. The authors point out that many trials lacked the information needed to assess their quality, and that they detected a commercial bias. The effect exists, but it is of the order of half a kilo, and it assumes you replace other fats, not add to them.
Our guide to losing weight healthily puts this half kilo in perspective.
Taking it properly
MCT oil is known for digestive upsets if you start too strong: Nutribe itself advises starting gradually. One teaspoon a day in the first week, then one tablespoon, is a reasonable build-up.
Our verdict
For use in cooking or in a coffee, go for the oil: KoRo in pure C8 or Nutribe in a C8 and C10 blend, around 0.45 EUR a spoonful. The powder is only justified if you absolutely want a blend with no oily film in a shaker.
Our sources
- Official KoRo, Nutribe and Nutrimuscle pages, consulted on 24/09/2026.
- Mumme K. and Stonehouse W., Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2015, meta-analysis of 13 randomised trials (PMID 25636220).