Palm oil also known as Red palm oil is a strong, savory and earthy tasting vegetable oil which is derived from the palm fruit of Elaeis guineensis. It is often used for cooking purposes. Naturally, it is reddish in color due to the high content of beta carotene. It is rich in saturated vegetable fats and becomes semi solid at the room temperature. Due to the saturated vegetable fats, it helps to increase LDL cholesterol and prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease. It consists of fatty acids along with cholesterol. It has high content of saturated fat. As it is versatile, it is used in detergents, food products and cosmetics. Nowadays it is highly used as biofuel.
History: Palm trees originated from West Africa (from Angola to Senega). As far as 5000 years ago, humans started to use palm oils. In the late 1800s, archaeologists discovered palm oil in a tomb. It is considered that palm oil was brought by Arab traders to Egypt. In Central and West African countries, it was recognized as cooking oil. In 1870, the primary export took place in Nigeria and Ghana.
Health Benefits of Palm oil
Palm oil is loaded with various nutrients that enhance the level of energy, promote vision, enhance immune power, prevent cancer, premature aging and health ailments. It has 40 percent of monounsaturated fatty acids, 50 percent of saturated fat and 10 percent of polyunsaturated fatty acid. The presence of lycopene and beta carotene provides it the reddish color. The carotene content is 300 times higher in comparison to tomatoes and 15 times more than carrots.
Provides energy: Palm oil has beta carotene in it which provides them an orange to red color. Beta carotene assists in promoting the level of energy and enhances the balance of hormones in the body.
Enhances Vision: Palm oil is loaded with antioxidants that act as the defensive mechanisms in the body. It prevents free radicals as they are beneficial byproducts of cellular metabolism. Free radicals cause mutation and breakdown of cells that result in vision problems. This oil could be used as a substitute for other oils that helps to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.ergy and enhances the balance of hormones in the body.
Treat cancer: It has tocopherols which are natural antioxidants that help to prevent cancer by eradicating free radicals. Free radicals cause the mutation of healthy cells into cancerous cells.
Cardiovascular problems: Palm oil is rich in LDL and HDL cholesterol level which helps to maintain balance in the body. The high content of LDL cholesterol that helps to increase the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attack and strokes. It maintains a balance in cholesterol level that ensures the cardiovascular healthomen as well as unborn children. Palm oil has Vitamin D, A and E which is beneficial for health. Pregnant women should add Palm oil to the diet to prevent the vitamin deficiencies.
Traditional uses
- It prevents neurological degeneration.
- It inhibits the chances of cancers such as stomach, skin, lung, pancreas, breast, liver, lung, colon and prostate cancer.
- It helps to promote immunity power.
- It promotes the healing process of injuries.
- It is used to cure malaria, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cyanide poisoning.
- It is used for losing weight and increasing the metabolism of the body.
