Is palm oil detrimental to health and does it offer any nutritional advantages?
Palm oil chat-up: Here's the lowdown on palm oil, the fruit-based stuff that's been causing quite a stir! But worry not, we got your back with the deets on its health impact, benefits, and a dash of environmental Considerations.
Is palm oil bad for your health?
Well, truth be told, the release of a 2020 review suggested that consuming palm oil moderately as part of a balanced diet doesn't pose any unwarranted health risks. Some peeps might be fretting that palm oil could potentially increase cholesterol levels, as a 13.6-gram spoon contains 13.6 grams of fat, 6.7 grams of which are saturated fats. While saturated fats are known to boost cholesterol levels, some research indicates that palm oil might have some benefits, like lowering blood cholesterol levels.
Are there health benefits to consuming palm oil?
Hey, there are actually two kinds of palm oil: red and white (also known as "refined, bleached, and deodorized," or RBD). Red palm oil contains a higher concentration of antioxidants and micronutrients, such as:- carotenoids which help the body produce vitamin A- vitamin E compounds- plant sterols which aid in lowering cholesterol- phospholipids essential for cell structure and function- squalene, well-loved for skin benefits
Unfortunately, the refinement process involved in creating RBD palm oil leads to reduced levels of these healthful compounds.
Palm oil nutritional info:
According to the dealio, one 13.6-gram tablespoon of palm oil contains:- 120 calories- 13.6 grams of fat- 6.7 grams of saturated fat- 5.03 grams of monounsaturated fat- 1.26 grams of polyunsaturated fat- 2.16 milligrams of vitamin E- 1.09 micrograms of vitamin K
Environmental impact and considerations:
It's no secret that the palm oil industry is causing widespread deforestation, endangering habitats of critically endangered species, and contributing to climate change worldwide. Therefore, the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) urges folks to make thoughtful choices when buying palm oil and palm oil products. To make smart shopping decisions, look for items featuring the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification, which indicates adherence to robust environmental and human rights practices.
FAQs
Q: Ain't palm oil a seed oil?
A: Nah, palm oil comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree, not the seeds! It's ain't the same as palm kernel oil, which comes from the seed's inner kernel or “stone.”
Q: So, is palm oil good for us or bad?
A: Palm oil has its pros and cons like any other food! Consuming it in moderation as part of a balanced diet isn't harmful, but remember, it's high in saturated fats. So, mix it up with good fats, like olive or canola oil.
Tl;dr
Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree, and there are two main types: red (unrefined) and white (refined, bleached, and deodorized—RBD). Red palm oil has more health benefits because of its higher concentration of antioxidants, but both types are high in saturated fat, which may raise cholesterol levels.
Research on whether palm oil consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular disease is lacking. Some research suggests that consuming red palm oil could actually lower cholesterol levels due to its unique antioxidant compounds. It's essential to consider the environmental impact when deciding to consume palm oil and opt for RSPO-certified products.
People considering the addition of palm oil to their diet should consult a healthcare provider and balance it with healthier unsaturated oils for a balanced diet.
- Moderate consumption of palm oil as part of a balanced diet doesn't pose any unwarranted health risks, according to the 2020 review.
- While some research indicates that palm oil might increase cholesterol levels due to its high saturated fat content, other studies suggest that it could potentially lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Red palm oil contains a higher concentration of antioxidants and micronutrients than white palm oil.
- Carotenoids in red palm oil help the body produce vitamin A.
- Vitamin E compounds found in red palm oil have various health benefits.
- Plant sterols in red palm oil aid in lowering cholesterol levels.
- Phospholipids in red palm oil are essential for cell structure and function.
- Squalene, found in red palm oil, is well-loved for its skin benefits.
- The refinement process of white (RBD) palm oil reduces levels of healthful compounds.
- One 13.6-gram tablespoon of palm oil contains 120 calories, 13.6 grams of fat, and 6.7 grams of saturated fat.
- The palm oil industry is causing widespread deforestation and endangering the habitats of critically endangered species.
- The palm oil industry contributes to climate change worldwide.
- The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) urges making thoughtful choices when buying palm oil products.
- Opting for RSPO-certified products helps adhere to robust environmental and human rights practices in the palm oil industry.
- Palm oil is not a seed oil; it comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree.
- Palm kernel oil is derived from the seed's inner kernel or “stone”.
- Palm oil's pros and cons should be considered like any other food.
- Consuming palm oil in moderation as part of a balanced diet is not harmful, but it's high in saturated fats.
- A balanced diet should include healthier unsaturated oils such as olive or canola oil.
- Consulting a healthcare provider before adding palm oil to your diet is essential.
- The environmental and health impact of chronic-kidney-disease, type-2-diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular-health, and other nutrition-related medical-conditions should be considered.
- Fitness-and-exercise, healthy lifestyle, and food-and-drink choices play a significant role in overall health.
- The climate-change crisis affects various industries, including energy, manufacturing, and retail.
- Therapies-and-treatments for chronic diseases could involve nutrition, medical-conditions management, and alternative solutions like CBD.
- Interior-design, cooking, and home-improvement projects require energy-efficient materials and practices to reduce energy consumption.
- Transportation's environmental impact can be reduced through the use of electric-vehicles and public transportation.
- Smartphones, gadgets, and appliances should be energy-efficient and comply with energy-saving standards.
- Gardening and growing your food at home contributes to sustainable living and healthier eating habits.
- Green updates to the home help reduce the carbon footprint and lower energy bills.
- Incorporating recipes made with healthier fats like olive or canola oil into your cooking repertoire can support cardiovascular-health.
