Is palm oil harmful and what is the difference between it and horse kernel oil
What is palm oil?
Palm oil is produced from the palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis), And humans have used them in their diet for more than a thousand years.
palm plantings, Basically in Africa, And in almost all tropical regions of the world.
Currently the main palm plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia, Indonesia alone has 13 million acres of palm cultivated land.
And palm oil is a very diverse plant. It takes between three and five years to fully grow.
and after four to six years the crop appears, Productivity does not decline until the tree is about twenty years old.
Then the new palms are replaced with old ones.
oils are obtained from the kernel of the palm fruit fruit, It is the flesh of the fruit itself.
The color of palm oil is natural reddish-orange due to its high beta-carotene content.
It is also one of the very few naturally saturated vegetable
fats that increase LDL cholesterol levels
in a person’s body.
Palm oil is commonly used as a cooking oil in Africa, Southeast Asia and some South American countries.
It is also becoming more popular in other parts of the world due to health concerns that there is too much trans fat in the diet.
Palm oil health benefits
The health benefits of palm oil include its ability to improve energy levels and vision, and prevent chronic diseases, and increased immunity, and prevent premature aging, and protection against heart disease. It is also useful for pregnant women.
Improved energy levels
Beta-carotene is one of the main components of palm oil and is very good for improving energy levels and promoting hormonal balance in the body.
Palm oil is a natural source of antioxidants. Which helps prevent oxidation, Researchers from India’s Bhabha Atomic Research Centre say.
Palm
Improved vision
Crude palm oil is a rich source of beta-carotene. It is extremely important for improving vision, Its antioxidants act as powerful defense mechanisms for the body.
It is also a beneficial by-product of cellular metabolism and can protect the body from free radicals. Responsible for vision problems.
Furthermore, using palm oil as an alternative to other types of oil can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
Prevents cardiovascular problems
Palm oil is high in HDL cholesterol and low-density cholesterol (LDL).
But although one is good (HDL) and the other is bad (LDL), However, it can still create a healthy balance in your body.
High levels of low-density cholesterol (LDL) can increase the chances of atherosclerosis. Which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
But by maintaining a healthy cholesterol balance, you can ensure cardiovascular health.
Prevents chronic diseases
A report on diet, nutrition and prevention of chronic diseases prepared by the World Health Organization highlights the importance of palm oil for health.
The oil contains tocopherols, one form of
vitamin E
, It is a natural antioxidant that can help prevent chronic diseases.
Supports a healthy pregnancy
Vitamin deficiency is one of the most serious conditions faced by pregnant women and children in their stomachs.
Vitamin A, D and E are found in large quantities in palm oil, Since the body cannot get these vitamins naturally.
It is essential to eat them in our diets.
The difference between palm oil and palm kernel oil
A distinction must be made between palm oil and palm kernel oil as they are clearly different oils.
Palm fruit oil contains equal amounts of saturated and unsaturated oils and a complex of micronutrients.
As for palm kernel oil, it is made from a kernel, or a seed, From the fruit of the palm. These kernels are removed from the palm fruits and pressed in order to obtain oil.
Palm kernel oil contains about 85% saturated fat and can raise cholesterol levels. Which makes it harmful to the heart.
Some food products containing palm kernel oil
[wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”11739″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”11921″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”8437″]Palm kernel oil health benefits
Palm kernel oil is referred to as tropical oil. palm kernel oil consists mainly of fatty triglycerides, With about 80 percent saturated fat and 20 percent trans fat.
palm kernel oil can be found in a number of products, including margarine and vegetable oil, Creams, chocolate, ice cream.
depending on the amount per serving, Palm oil may provide some health benefits.
Cholesterol Free
One of the benefits of palm kernel oil is that it is completely cholesterol-free, This is not available in animal fats such as butter.
Due to the cholesterol-free nature of vegetable oils and margarine, There is some speculation that these types of oils and fats are healthier than butter.
Contains vitamin K
Palm kernel oil also contains vitamin K. Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is important for bone health.
Long shelf life
Although the overall health benefits of palm oil may not be overwhelming, However, there are benefits that are promoted by the commercial food industry.
Of which it resists oxidation under high cooking temperatures and when storing, Which makes it a better alternative than other vegetable oils for commercially fried products.
Broken palm oil
Broken palm oil is a type of palm oil, It is produced during the palm oil extraction process, By the concentration of certain types of fatty acids contained in palm oil.
Food companies use the cracking process to produce oil with a higher concentration of saturated fat to achieve a longer shelf life.
Unsustainable palm oil treatment
Different types of palm oil have appeared in recent years, Including varieties derived from the kernel instead of the usual fruit.
and other types that are purified to remove the characteristic red color (and with them the antioxidant pigments they contain.)
Commercial palm oil is often extracted very quickly using chemical solvents, This is known as unsustainable treatment.
Although it is suitable for companies that focus on production and profits, These practices deplete nutrients and reduce the quality of the oil.
To address these issues, An organization known as the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) was formed.
That organization verifies that palm oils are harvested in a way that protects wildlife according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) standards.
It also keeps palm oil consuming communities safe.
Uses of palm oil
Palm oil is a very versatile oil and has many different properties and functions which makes it very useful, It is widely used.
It is a semi-solid oil at room temperature, It is also resistant to oxidation and therefore can give products a longer shelf life.
It is also odorless and colorless, so it does not change the shape or smell of food products.
Palm oil can be useful in the kitchen, It is a relatively inexpensive oil. The oil maintains its stability at high temperatures, It is useful for stirring and frying.
On the other hand, a bacterial strain converts waste from palm oil production into industrially useful lactic acid.
And palm oil is found in almost everything – it is located in about 50% of packaged products that we find in supermarkets.
There is also palm oil, pizza, cakes, chocolates to deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and lipstick.
It is also used in animal nutrition and as a biofuel in many parts of the world.
The bottom line
According to Harvard nutritionists, Palm oil is clearly better than trans fat and is probably the best option than butter.
But naturally liquid vegetable oils at room temperature, Such as olive oil and canola oil, It should remain your first choice.