Palm Oil: Know Its Health Benefits, Uses, And Potential Side Effects

Extracted from the fruit of African Oil Palm, it is one of the most produced and popular oils in the world. Existing for several past decades, palm oil is nearly half of the packaged products you can find in the supermarket. It’s also used in toiletries, cosmetics, and processed foods.
The versatile palm oil is semi-solid at room temperature and can be used as a spread, which is resistant to oxidation and also lasts longer. Furthermore, palm oil has long been used in traditional medicine to treat everything from malaria to backaches. Research suggests that palm oil has a number of health benefits including antioxidants. There are some early studies as well that may benefit brain and even heart health.

Read on to learn the benefits of palm oil, its uses, and side effects.

Health Benefits Of Palm Oil

To confirm the above-given research, here are the health benefits of palm oil you must know:

Brain Health

Palm oil has a form of Vitamin E called tocotrienols with strong antioxidant properties that may support brain health. According to some animal and human studies, the tocotrienols present in palm oil may help protect the delicate polyunsaturated fats in the brain, helping in slowing down dementia progression, reducing the risk of stroke, and preventing the growth of brain lesions.

Heart Health

Palm oil is known for providing protection against heart diseases. The oil generally has beneficial effects on heart disease risk factors, including lowering LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol.

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Improved Vitamin A Status

Red palm oil is a magic formula for those suffering from Vitamin A deficiency or who are at risk of deficiency. Red palm oil is rich in carotenoids that the body can convert into Vitamin A.

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Palm Oil Uses

Palm oil has several industrial applications. The main products made from palm oil are soap, hand and body lotions, fatty acid methyl esters, and epoxidized Palm Oil.

Palm Oil Side Effects

According to studies, several ethical issues are linked to the effects of palm oil production on the environment, wildlife, and communities. Also, the saturated fats present in palm oil are also linked to heart risks.

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