Why Palm Oil is Essential in Our Daily Lives

Palm oil is derived from the fruit of the African oil palm and has, over the course of several decades, emerged as one of the most extensively produced oils globally. It is present in nearly half of the packaged products found in supermarkets and is utilized in toiletries, cosmetics, and processed foods due to its remarkable versatility. Being semi-solid at room temperature, palm oil functions effectively as a spread. Its resistance to oxidation contributes to the longevity of products, while its ability to withstand high temperatures makes it suitable for frying. Although it is not regarded as unhealthy as trans fats, palm oil comprises 50% saturated fat. Traditionally, palm oil has been employed in medicinal practices to address various ailments, including backaches and malaria. Emerging research suggests that palm oil may possess certain health benefits, as it is rich in specific antioxidants, with preliminary studies indicating potential advantages for brain and cardiovascular health; however, further research is necessary to substantiate these claims.

Where does palm oil come from?

Oil palm trees are native to Africa, specifically flourishing in the humid, tropical regions of the continent. However, today, about 85% of all oil is produced from trees grown in Indonesia and Malaysia, where vast plantations have been established to meet the global demand for palm oil. This lucrative industry has transformed landscapes and economies in these countries, providing jobs and supporting local communities.

Palm Oil Benefits

Among the potential health benefits of palm oil are:

Treating vitamin deficiency

Carotenoids, such as those found in red palm oil, enhance the quantity of vitamin A that the body is able to absorb. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health, supporting the immune system, and facilitating growth in children. In developing nations, the incorporation of red palm oil into the diet during childhood or pregnancy serves to mitigate the risk of vitamin A deficiency. Furthermore, red palm oil has the potential to elevate vitamin A levels in individuals who are already experiencing deficiencies, including those with conditions such as cystic fibrosis that hinder the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Protecting brain health

Early investigations in cellular and animal models have indicated that both palm oil and its concentrated derivatives appear to mitigate inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis within the brain. This beneficial effect has been attributed to the specific form of vitamin E present in palm oil, known as tocotrienol. A study involving 121 participants suggested that tocotrienols derived from palm oil may impede the progression of cerebral lesions, which are areas of damage associated with dementia. However, further research, encompassing larger sample sizes, is required to substantiate these preliminary findings.

Improving heart health

Research regarding the impact of palm oil on cardiovascular health has yielded mixed results. Nevertheless, certain preliminary studies exhibit potential benefits. A review study conducted a comparative analysis of palm oil with various dietary fats, revealing that individuals with high consumption of saturated and trans fats maintained poorer cholesterol levels in comparison to those whose diets were enriched with palm oil. Conversely, individuals who ingested a greater proportion of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats demonstrated healthier blood lipid profiles than those whose diets were abundant in palm oil. Elevated cholesterol levels constitute a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, certain animal studies have indicated that red palm oil may provide a protective effect against myocardial infarctions resulting from the constriction of coronary arteries, presumably by activating protective mechanisms within the heart and mitigating tissue damage, among other effects.