Palm Kernel Oil

Palm oil: properties, uses and possible harm

Palm oil has a history of over 5 centuries. From the African continent, oil palms came to South America and Asia, where they were ornamental plants for a long time. The products are obtained by pressing the fruits of the plant, which resemble large dates in appearance. Today there are palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia - these countries are the largest exporters of palm oil. From each hectare of planting, you can get up to 4 tons of finished products, which makes it one of the cheapest edible fats on the planet.

Composition and characteristics

Depending on the manufacturing and processing processes, the final product can be liquid or solid. Natural virgin palm oil is a viscous red liquid with a peculiar aroma and sweetish taste.

It is this Red Palm Oil that is considered useful: it contains carotenoids, vitamins A and E, and other substances necessary for the body. This natural product has antioxidant properties, it is good for the skin and hair. Vitamin A helps to strengthen vision, helps to improve the condition of patients with glaucoma and blepharitis.

Unfortunately, this "raw" red oil does not have a long shelf life and is quite labor intensive to produce. Therefore, the price of a natural product is quite high.

In a deodorized and refined product, which is widely used in the food industry, there are several times less nutrients. These products will not bring any harm to health, if you do not exceed the consumption rate. Food workers usually replace milk fat with palm fat, which is similar in taste.

Let's not forget that, like any vegetable fat, palm has a high calorie content: about 900 kcal. The composition contains fatty acids, vitamins A, E.

The presence of fatty acids should be given special attention, their shares are distributed as follows:

• oleic 55%;
• palmitic 40%,
• linoleic acid 5%.

Linoleic fatty acid is considered the most important for the body, and its minimum amount in refined palm oil reduces its rating of useful products.

There is still no definitive conclusion about the effect of two other fatty acids, oleic and palmitic, on the level of bad cholesterol: this issue continues to be studied. But following the WHO recommendations, nutritionists recommend reducing the intake of fat (including palm fat) for people at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Palm oil properties

It is generally accepted that palm oil is harmful to health. This misconception was promoted by the situation in the domestic industry: food manufacturers are increasingly using cheap ingredients. As we noted above, refined palm oil is not harmful to the body, although it also does not have much benefit. As a substitute for milk fat in confectionery, mayonnaise, margarines, processed cheeses, chocolate, palm fat even has an advantage: products with it can be stored for a long time and not lose their taste.

Palm oil is a part of baby food. It is worth noting that bona fide manufacturers use a structured product or beta palmitate for infant formula. This gives a normal indicator of the absorption of calcium by the child's body.

The body will be harmed by the use of hydrogenated oil, with artificial thickeners. This product, however, like any margarine, contributes to the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the vessels.

Application in medicine and cosmetology

Taking care of your health starts with making the right diet. By including healthy foods in the menu, you can avoid the risk of serious diseases. Natural palm oil has found application as a remedy for the prevention of anemia, colds, Alzheimer's disease, and skin diseases.

Due to the content of vitamins A and E, the palm fruit remedy is used in cosmetology. At home, this product can be added to a nourishing cream or used to cleanse the skin and remove makeup. An excellent effect is given by masks with palm oil for dry skin: balance is quickly restored, redness and peeling disappear.

A simple and affordable mask recipe for getting rid of dryness:

palm oil preheated in a water bath (1 tbsp. spoon) is mixed with a spoonful of honey. The mixture is applied to cleansed skin for 15-20 minutes. Then it is removed with warm water. After washing, a light moisturizer or milk is applied to the skin.

Owners of oily skin with enlarged pores should carefully use this product for cosmetic purposes - its use can have the opposite effect, cause acne and inflammation.

oduct or beta palmitate. This gives a normal indicator of the absorption of calcium by the child's body.

The body will be harmed by the use of hydrogenated oil, with artificial thickeners. This product, however, like any margarine, contributes to the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the vessels.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Women during pregnancy and breastfeeding choose foods that are good for their health and baby's growth. Palm oil, like all vegetable fats, has advantages and disadvantages. The use of natural red oil in food will not harm a healthy female body. On the contrary, adding to the daily diet will serve as a good tool for general strengthening, prevention of constipation, colds and infections. It is important to respect the daily dose and choose only quality products.

The peculiarity of palm oil is to quickly restore the skin, many women have appreciated. We can safely recommend this product for skin care in the postpartum period. It will prevent cracks, and a massage with a small amount of natural product will help fight stretch marks.

Contraindications and possible harm

The desire to get the most out of food for little money can be frustrating. Natural quality products cannot be cheap - everyone should know this rule. Today on the market you can find suspiciously cheap cheeses, spreads, soft oils. It is possible that technical palm oil is used in their composition. This is a harmful product not intended for food. Cheap technical raw materials are used for the production of soaps, cosmetics, and automobile oils. Once in the human body, this substance provokes the formation of tumors, contributes to the development of atherosclerosis.

Therefore, when buying products, carefully study their composition and, at the slightest suspicion of the presence of technical oil, refuse to purchase.

When it comes to choosing natural palm oil, we recommend paying attention to the labeling and the integrity of the packaging. A quality product has a red-orange color, the liquid should be transparent, without sediment. Store the goods in cool rooms, protected from light and moisture.

You can avoid the risk of buying a low-quality product or a fake by using the services of trusted sellers. When shopping for natural products online, choose reputable stores that guarantee authenticity.