The health benefits provided by the using of
Palm oil are such that they help in improving vision, preventing cardiovascular
issues, reducing the risk of cancer, provides naturally soft skin, improves
hair growth, supplies the body with Vitamin K, richly loaded with antioxidants,
contains unsaturated fats, contains zero Trans-Fat, rich in nutrients, helps
during pregnancy, helps in providing the body with energy. Palm oil helps in
reducing the risk of cancer and it is rich in vitamin A which improves vision.
Palm
Oil
Palm oil, an edible vegetable oil rich in saturated fats and
free of trans fats, is derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of
the oil palms, mainly the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and to some
extent from the American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera) and the maripa palm
(Attalea maripa). Palm mesocarp oil which is 49% saturated, is generally
reddish in colour because of high beta-carotene content. Crude red palm oil
that has been refined, bleached and deodorized, a common commodity called RBD
palm oil, does not contain carotenoids. It is semisolid at room temperature.
Palm oil is a common cooking ingredient in the tropical belt of Africa,
Southeast Asia and parts of Brazil.
Nutritional Value of Palm Oil
One cup of Palm oil serves 1909 calories and 216 g of total lipid fat. It
also offers 0.02 mg of iron, 0.6 mg of chroline, 34.43 mg of Vitamin E,
17.3 µg of Vitamin K, 106.488 g of total saturated fat, 0.216 g of lauric acid,
2.16 g of myristic acid, 93.96 g of palmitic acid, 9.288 g of stearic acid,
79.92 g of total monounsaturated fats, 0.648 g of palmitoleic acid, 79.056 g of
oleic acid, 0.216 g of gadoleic acid, 20.088 g of total polyunsaturated fats,
19.656 g of linoleic acid and 0.432 g of Linolenic acid.
Nutritional facts Per 100
Grams
884 Calories
100g Total
Fat
Health Benefits of Palm Oil
Mentioned below are the best health benefits
of Palm Oil
Helps in improving vision
Beta-carotene is very much important for improving vision. Many
antioxidants can be found in palm oil, which provide powerful defensive
mechanisms of the body. They are the beneficial by-products of cellular
metabolism and can help by protecting the body against free radicals. Free
radicals are responsible for a lot of cellular breakdown and mutation,
including the damage of vision. Using palm oil as a replacement for other types
of oil can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
Helps in preventing cardiovascular issues
Palm oil in spite of having a high content of HDL and LDL cholesterol can
still create a healthier balance in our body. High levels of LDL
cholesterol can increase the chances of atherosclerosis, which can cause
strokes and heart attacks. By maintaining a healthy balance of cholesterol
(both of which is needed in our body), one can ensure a healthier
cardiovascular system.
Helps in
reducing the risk of cancer
Tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, are natural antioxidants that can help
to prevent cancer by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals cause
healthy cells to mutate into cancerous cells, so high levels of tocopherol as
is present in palm oil are necessary.
Helps in
providing naturally soft skin
Palm oil makes the skin naturally soft and glossy without it getting a
greasy appearance. This is the reason the oil is a key ingredient in many soap
bars and skin creams. It also provides relief to ragged cuticles and itchy
skin.
Helps to improve hair growth
Palm kernel oil provides thorough conditioning of hair, thickens hair and
reduces hair fall by making it stronger. Used as a hot oil treatment,
it provides a soothing effect along with the desired nourishment.
Rich In Vitamin K
Vitamin K is one of the most important fat-soluble vitamins that the
body requires. It boosts bone health and also acts as a blood coagulant. Palm
kernel oil contains high amounts of the vitamin K and hence is recommended for
daily use.
Richly loaded with
antioxidants
With a sufficient amount of Vitamin E, rarely found tocotrienols and
being loaded with anti-oxidants, palm oil provides amazing anti-aging benefits.
It prevents the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines. It is capable
of providing protection against harmful UV rays and other toxins and hence it
is healthy for the skin.
Contains unsaturated fats
The palm kernel oil is a source of healthy unsaturated fats and medium
chain fatty acids. This is perfect for use as a cooking medium. Moreover, these
qualities make it ideal for healthier skin, bones and joints.
Contains zero Trans-Fat
Palm oil does not contain any Trans-fat, and is hence considered as ideal
cooking oil for those who are looking to shed extra pounds.
Rich in nutrients
In addition to having important fat-soluble vitamins, palm kernel oil
also has high nutritional value. It has numerous nutrients that are essential
for maintaining a good health. The presence of palmitic acid, considered as a
16-carbon saturated fatty acid, makes it distinctive from other cooking oils.
Helps during pregnancy
The deficiency of vitamin could be harmful for a pregnant woman
as well as her unborn child. Palm oil contains Vitamin D, A and E which is
beneficial for the health. A pregnant woman should have Palm oil in her diet to
prevent the vitamin deficiencies.
Helps in providing with energy
Palm oil has beta carotene in it which carotene assists in promoting the
level of energy and enhances the balance of hormones in the body.
Uses of Palm Oil
The use of Palm oil in the commercial food industry is widespread because
of its lower cost and the high oxidative stability of the refined product when
used for frying. Palm Oil is used in around 50% of products consumers purchase
and use on a daily basis. Palm Oil and its derivatives otherwise known as
fractions of the oil are used in the manufacture of prepackaged food, cosmetics,
cleaning products, hair care, soaps and personal care items. Palm Wax is
used in the manufacture of candles. It is also used to manufacture bio fuel and
has become what is called the green fuel option for Motor Vehicles, shipping
and Aircraft fuel. Palm is also used as feed for livestock named as palm kernel
cake which is a by-product of palm kernel oil.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Palm Oil
Consumption of red palm oil is safe, even in large amounts. It does not
as such have any side effect. Because of palm oil's composition, it metabolizes
more effectively with food, so there is less risk of having abdominal
discomfort or bowel problems. One minor caveat, however, is when one consumes
large amounts of the oil, a yellowing of their skin may occur. This is due to
the high levels of carotenes in the oil. This in turn enhances a person’s
protection against harmful UV rays. Topical application of red palm oil can
cause also a person’s skin to turn yellowish-orange. Although this can be
removed by washing, palm oil stains on clothes is more challenging to wash off.
Cultivation
of Palm Oil
The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) originated from West Africa, where
evidence of its use as a staple food crop dates as far back as 5,000 years.
There is even evidence in Egyptian tombs of people being buried with casks of
palm oil, reflecting the high societal value attributed to the product. While
palm oil was ubiquitous in West Africa, the use of palm oil in the international
market expanded significantly as a result of the British Industrial Revolution
and the expansion of overseas trade. A combination of European settlers and
entrepreneurs, observing the opportunity for commercial palm oil production to
produce soaps, lubricants and edible oils lead to a dramatic expansion of oil
palm plantations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The first
commercial scale plantation in Malaysia was founded in 1917 and established in
Tennamaran Estate in Selangor.
Editor/Publisher
