Is palm oil detrimental to health or does it offer health advantages?
Palm oil, a high-fat substance obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree, has sparked debates over its potential impact on human health. Its saturated fat content has raised concerns that it may elevate cholesterol levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, scientific evidence remains scant to affirm such warnings.
Palm oil categorizes into two main types: red and white. White palm oil undergoes refinement, bleaching, and deodorization, leading to a reduced concentration of micronutrients like beta carotenes and vitamin E. As a result, nutritional experts often consider red palm oil a healthier option due to its higher antioxidant content.
Does palm oil pose a threat to health, or does it hold some health benefits? A 2020 review found no adverse health risks linked to moderate consumption of palm oil as part of a balanced diet. Although saturated fats found in palm oil could negatively influence cholesterol levels, some research suggests that palm oil may have benefits when it comes to blood cholesterol levels.
A 2021 review investigated the influence of palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid existing in both vegetable and animal sources, on cholesterol levels. The findings revealed that palmitic acid from palm oil and other vegetable sources has a lesser impact on blood cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" compared to palmitic acid originating from animal sources. Moreover, the chemical compound tocotrienols in palm oil was discovered to lower blood cholesterol levels by 7% to 38%.
An earlier review (conducted in a year not specified in the data) also reported no substantial evidence connecting palm oil consumption with CVD. Nevertheless, the researchers mentioned challenges in determining the precise association between the two variables, emphasizing the need for further investigation.
Are there potential health advantages to incorporating palm oil into one's diet? Red palm oil is recognized for its elevated concentration of antioxidants and micronutrients, such as:
- Carotenoids, utilized by the human body to synthesize vitamin A
- Tocopherols and tocotrienols, types of vitamin E
- Plant sterols, which help lower cholesterol levels
- Phospholipids, crucial for cell structure and function
- Squalene, beneficial for skin health
Refined, bleached, deodorized (RBD) palm oil undergoes processing that leads to decreased levels of carotenoids, vitamin E, and sterols, making it less nutritious than red palm oil.
Nutritionally, one 13.6g tablespoon of palm oil contains:
- 120 calories
- 503 kilojoules (KJ) of energy
- 13.6g of fat, comprising:
- 6.7g of saturated fat
- 5.03g of monounsaturated fat
- 1.26g of polyunsaturated fat
- 2.16 milligrams (mg) of vitamin E
- 1.09 micrograms (μg) of vitamin K
The palm oil industry contributes to environmental concerns due to the large-scale deforestation it causes, the destruction of habitats for critically endangered species, and its role in global climate change. To address these issues, the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) advises individuals to choose ethically when purchasing palm oil and palm oil products.
The WWF suggests looking for products displaying the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. This global certification guarantees that growers and manufacturers adhere to robust environmental and human rights policies, ensuring transparency in sourcing and use, and purchasing and using certified palm oil across their operations.
So, is palm oil bad for health? The current scientific consensus suggests enjoying palm oil, either red or white, as part of a balanced diet, with moderation being essential to prevent any negative health effects. Notably, opting for unsaturated oils like olive or canola oil is still recommended for cardiovascular health, even though red palm oil's antioxidant properties could yield additional health advantages.
People are encouraged to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating palm oil into their diets, especially if they are taking any medications or supplements that the oil might interact with.
- The use of palm oil in nutrition has sparked debates over its potential impact on human health.
- Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree, known for its high-fat content.
- Saturated fat in palm oil has raised concerns about elevated cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Palm oil can be divided into two main types: red and white.
- White palm oil undergoes refinement, bleaching, and deodorization, which reduces the concentration of micronutrients like beta carotenes and vitamin E.
- Red palm oil is considered healthier due to its higher antioxidant content.
- A 2020 review found no adverse health risks linked to moderate consumption of palm oil as part of a balanced diet.
- Some research suggests that palm oil may have benefits for blood cholesterol levels.
- In a 2021 review, palmitic acid from palm oil and other vegetable sources was found to have a lesser impact on blood cholesterol levels compared to palmitic acid from animal sources.
- The chemical compound tocotrienols in palm oil was discovered to lower blood cholesterol levels by 7% to 38%.
- Another review found no substantial evidence connecting palm oil consumption with CVD.
- Red palm oil contains carotenoids, vitamins E and K, plant sterols, phospholipids, and squalene, which are beneficial for the human body.
- Refined, bleached, deodorized (RBD) palm oil loses some of these nutrients during processing.
- Nutritionally, one tablespoon of palm oil contains 120 calories, 503 kilojoules of energy, and 13.6g of fat.
- The palm oil industry is associated with environmental concerns, including deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change.
- The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) advises individuals to choose ethically when purchasing palm oil products.
- The WWF suggests looking for products with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.
- Current scientific consensus suggests enjoying palm oil, either red or white, as part of a balanced diet, with moderation.
- Opting for unsaturated oils like olive or canola oil is still recommended for cardiovascular health.
- It is important for people to consult healthcare professionals before incorporating palm oil into their diets, especially if they are taking medications or supplements that the oil might interact with.
- Palm oil, in addition to diet, impacts other areas of life such as environmental science, finance, cooking, lifestyle, food and drink, home and garden, business, personal finance, education, personal growth, shopping, social media, career development, entertainment, general news, crime, and justice.
- The role of palm oil in therapies and treatments related to chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease and type-2 diabetes remains an area for further investigation.
- The impact of palm oil consumption on climate change is a concern for environmental science.
- The finance industry is affected by the economic implications of the palm oil industry, including both its environmental and health aspects.
- Cooking and recipes often use palm oil as an ingredient due to its unique flavor and high smoke point.
- Palm oil can be found in various parts of one's lifestyle, including food, household products, and personal care items.
- Technology and data-and-cloud-computing industries may utilize palm oil in the manufacturing of electronics and data storage devices.
- Palm oil is also connected to sports, cars, books, and other interests such as racing, gaming, and sports betting, as well as more abstract concepts like learning, skills training, personal growth, and sports analysis.
