Most health conscious people are now switching to palm oil as recent researches have pointed out that it has many health benefits as compared to other vegetable oils. However, confusing palm oil to another type of edible oil called palm kernel oil one might question, ‘if palm oil is a healthy oil’. Before answering this question lets take a look at the difference between palm oil and palm kernel oil. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp or fleshy part of the fruit is Trans-fat free whereas palm kernel oil is extracted from the kernel or seed of the fruit.
These two oil extracts have different fat compositions. The kernel palm oil is rich in fatty acids which is unsaturated and resembles coconut oil. This oil boosts LDL which is referred to as the bad cholesterol and aggravates heart disease. The palm oil, the red palm oil in particular, on the other hand, has many health benefits. It is considered one of the healthiest oils.
Apart from having excellent cooking properties, palm oil is used in medicines, detergents, soaps and other health care products. Because of its medicinal properties it has also been used as medicine since ages.
Palm oil does not contain any Trans-fatty acids or cholesterols and is being used by doctors and physicians for treating various illnesses. It does not only improve the nutritional status but also provides a protective covering against many common health problems such as:
1) it boosts immunity
2) increases blood circulation
3) improves the health of your eyes
4) keeps the blood sugar level in check and also controls it
5) strengthens bones and teeth
6) healthy liver and lung function
7) palm oil is rich in vitamin E and beta carotene
8) helps in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition
9) protection from lung cancer and heart disease
10) It also helps in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer.
Palm oil which is also known as dende oil is now the second most common edible oil. Palm oil is tasteless and odorless and is rich in antioxidants.
The best part of palm oil is that it can be as a substituted for soybean oil. The oil is in its solid state in room temperature and has to be hydrogenated like soybean oil which increases the amount of cholesterol and produces trans fatty acid. But palm oil does not contain any trans fat and is used in organic foods as a substitute of saturated butter and coconut oil.
