Is there any harm from palm oil? Is palm oil harmful to human health? What is palm oil

Antipyretics for children are prescribed by a pediatrician. But there are emergency situations with fever when the child needs to be given medicine immediately. Then the parents take responsibility and use antipyretic drugs. What is allowed to be given to infants? How can you lower the temperature in older children? What medications are the safest?

Exotic palm oil has recently appeared in European countries. But thanks to its low cost and long shelf life, this product interested food industry manufacturers and quickly gained enormous demand. According to scientific research, today about 50% of all products in sealed packaging contain this additive, although the benefits of palm oil are highly questionable. This product is widely used in cosmetology, soap making, candle production and as a lubricant.

What is palm oil

Palm oil is a plant product that is obtained from the oil palm, exclusively from ripe seeds. This plant grows in Malaysia, Guinea, Indonesia.

One hectare of oilseed field can produce eight times more oil than sunflower yields. The benefits and harms of palm oil are being closely studied by scientists, and there are heated debates about its negative effects on the human body.

In many developed countries, the issue of completely stopping the supply of this dangerous product has been repeatedly raised. For half a million people in palm oil-supplying countries, this work is the only way to feed their families and earn a living.

Today, palm oil is one of the most popular and widespread vegetable fats. Due to the low cost and excellent taste of this vegetable oil residents of countries such as Southeast Asia and Latin America consume it almost daily and consider it an integral part of their diet.

What is palm oil made from?

Why is palm oil harmful?

The benefits of palm oil have always been studied by experts and have been under great question. Today it has already been proven that the harm of this product outweighs the benefits, so it is completely unsuitable for daily use.

The fact is that the main components of this product are saturated fats that are resistant to the effects of our environment. The oil retains its taste for a long time and does not spoil - in other words, it is a good preservative. When it is added to food products, their shelf life increases, and manufacturers spend a minimum of money, which is very economically profitable.

However, the harm of palm oil to humans is enormous. Consumption of products containing this product can lead to the destruction of the immune system, wear and tear of the body, as well as the occurrence of the following pathologies:

Increased cholesterol levels;
Vascular damage;
Lipid metabolism disorders;
Atherosclerotic deposits;
Diabetes;
Alzheimer's disease;
Obesity;
Cardiovascular diseases;
Oncological formations;
Addiction.

Nutritionists, having studied the dangers of palm oil, strongly do not recommend purchasing products that contain this cheap fat substitute. French fries, condensed milk, vermicelli instant cooking, chips, chocolate spread, crackers, crackers - when buying these and any other products, carefully study their composition. If the label states that the product contains this exotic oil, refuse (better refuse) from purchasing it!

Benefits of palm oil

High-quality palm oil contains many vitamins and substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Do not forget that it contains unsaturated acids, which significantly reduce cholesterol in the blood. Also, these substances are extremely necessary for the body to form healthy joints, epidermis, skeletal system.

Palm oil is an excellent preservative and is included in confectionery products, as well as detergents, shampoos, and soaps. Important!

There are still benefits to palm oil, despite its obvious harm. It is an excellent source of valuable antioxidants that strengthen immune system, protect cells from harmful sun rays and radiation. In addition, palm oil contains triglycerol (a type of fatty acid), which is similar to cow's milk protein.

This substance is quickly absorbed in the body and is completely transformed into energy. Palm oil is useful for people who have problems with the absorption of other vegetable fats, as well as for athletes seeking to quickly build muscle mass.

The presence of vitamin A in the oil has a positive effect on vision, and a special substance called lutein leads to improved function. retina, normalizes the condition of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye. Vitamin E normalizes eye pressure, protects the lens from cataracts and has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system of the visual organs.

Due to its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, this type of oil is widely used in cosmetology and pharmacology - it is included in various creams and medicinal ointments. And three types of fractions make it possible to successfully use palm oil in the production of washing powders, lubricants, candles and soap.

Palm oil in baby food

Hydrogenated palm oil

What is palm oil: benefits of the product and production features. Is palm oil harmful to the body?

Regarding a product such as Palm oil, which is increasingly being used as an ingredient not only in food products, but also in cosmetics and procedures, serious controversy continues to exist. Does it apply to harmful products? What beneficial properties vegetable fat may have and whether palm oil can cause harm to the body can be found out by reading the composition.

Palm oil and beneficial properties: what is the product made from?

Palm oil is a plant product that is extracted from the ripe seeds of the oil palm tree. This plant can be found in Indonesia, Guinea, and Malaysia.

Finished palm oil is divided into 2 categories:

The raw type, which is produced from the pulp of palm seeds;

Palm kernel type, which is made from the inner kernel of the fruit.

You can also divide all palm oils into 3 fractions, which differ in quality, melting point, and areas of application:

1. Palm stearin– a solid consistency that melts at temperatures from 46 to 53 °C. It is used for the production of margarine, cosmetics and detergents, and puff pastry.

2. Standard oil with a melting point of 36 to 39 °C. It is used for frying; when heated, it does not emit fumes or create smoke; it is most often used for the manufacture of confectionery products.

3. Palm olein- a product that has a liquid consistency, similar to cream, and a melting point from 19 to 23 ° C. The most common areas of application are cosmetology and cooking.

The richness of the chemical composition of palm oil: the benefits of components

Palm oil has a fairly rich composition, which includes the following substances:

Carotenoids are components that take an active part in many vital processes necessary for the normal functioning of the body;

Vitamin E, which consists of isomers of tocotrienols and tocopherols;

Vitamin K is able to protect the body from many complications in the body such as, for example, ossification of cartilage, salt deposits on the walls of blood vessels and others;

Polyunsaturated acids, which are classified as Omega 3 and Omega 6;

Palmitic acid – it accounts for about 50% of the bulk of the oil, the fatty acid acts as a source of energy for the body and is directly involved in the synthesis of hormones;

Oleic acid is considered a monounsaturated type of fat and serves as a barrier to the formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels;

Stearic acid;

Vitamin A and B4;

Macro- and microelements phosphorus and iron;

Coenzyme Q10.

The production process itself plays an important role in obtaining high-quality oil. The conventional pressing and squeezing method gives the result in the form of a technical product that does not have all the beneficial properties and is unsuitable for consumption. To obtain truly healthy palm oil, the raw material must go through 5 stages of intensive processing: purification, hydration, neutralization, deodorization, clarification. After all 5 steps of refining, the oil can be consumed.

Features of exotic palm oil: beneficial properties of the product

You can benefit from the use of palm oil in the form of:

1. Improving visual acuity, preventing the disease night blindness.

2. Restoration of damaged mucous membranes of the body.

3. Has a wound-healing effect, which helps to quickly eliminate open ulcers and boils.

4. Has a protective effect on the sebaceous glands, preventing the formation of inflammation.

5. Normalizes the functioning of neurological functions.

6. When used externally as an ingredient in medicinal masks, valuable substances carotenoids have a strengthening effect on the hair, making it strong and shiny, and the condition of the skin is noticeably improved when used in cosmetology.

He considers red oil to be the most gentle and suitable for consumption; it can have the following positive effects:

Increase the body's defenses;

Prevention of cataract disease;

Return of vessels such properties as elasticity;

Protecting the body from premature aging and the harmful effects of external toxic factors;

Memory improvement;

Removing heavy and unpleasant symptoms menopause in women;

Relief of symptoms of endocrine system diseases;

Elimination chronic fatigue body, consequences of nervous disorders, insomnia;

Provide safety female body from the development of fibrous degeneration of the mammary gland.

The amount of beta-carotene in red palm oil is 15-20 times higher than carrots.

Harm of palm oil and contraindications for use

Despite the huge number positive aspects, has palm oil and contraindications for use. For some experts in the field of studying the properties of exotic oil, its usefulness was controversial and a very big question, and all because a greater degree of harmfulness than the healing value of this product was scientifically substantiated.

It's all about the same composition, which is dominated by a lot of saturated fat. By their nature, they are quite resistant to exposure external factors environment. The oil can retain its taste for a long time, appearance and not spoil, this indicates that it is a good preservative. That’s why manufacturers add it to various food products to extend their shelf life and save money.

Palm oil is definitely not suitable for daily use, as it can cause enormous harm to the human body in the form of the development of such pathologies:

Weakening of the immune system and deterioration of the health of the body as a whole;

A significant increase in the level of bad cholesterol;

Vascular diseases, having a damaging effect on them;

Failures in lipid metabolic processes;

Deposits of an atherosclerotic nature;

The appearance of the disease diabetes mellitus;

Increased symptoms of Alzheimer's disease;

To the accumulation of excess weight and, as a consequence, to obesity;

The development of heart disease and of cardio-vascular system;

The emergence and rapid progression of oncological tumors;

Development of dependence on the product.

People should avoid consuming even small amounts of palm oil in the following situations:

WITH chronic diseases heart or blood vessels;

WITH increased level cholesterol;

If you have problems with metabolism;

During the period of bearing a child, women;

During breastfeeding.

Regarding food products, nutritionists advise refraining from eating products with such a cheap substitute for real fat; there will be little therapeutic benefit from palm oil from the inside. Concerning external use V folk medicine, then the use of palm oil as an ingredient in detergents and cosmetics is quite acceptable, the harm from such is minimal.

Palm oil occupies a special place in modern life. This exotic product is less popular than butter and vegetable oil, but it is the subject of heated discussions. Palm oil contains a huge amount of tocopherols, ubiquinone, and carotenoids, which are quite strong antioxidants, and this is very beneficial for the human body. Many companies use palm oil for cosmetic purposes, but it can also be used in food. Tocopherols allow you to increase muscle volume, and if they are insufficient, sexual function may suffer. Provitamin A is of great importance for the functioning of the visual pigment of the retina; it also ensures the activity of the visual analyzer.

Palm oil: harm and benefits for our body

Scientists and doctors have been engaged in lively debate for several years about the effects of palm oil – is it beneficial or harmful? This product cannot be called unambiguous, so it is necessary to take a closer look at its properties. The cost of palm oil is relatively low, and its exceptional technological and nutritional properties give it special importance, and therefore the demand for this type of product is increasing markedly. The shelf life of products increases significantly if palm oil is added to them. Beautiful colour makes familiar foods more attractive and appetizing.

Palm oil comes from plants that have not yet been genetically modified, making it the only one hundred percent natural product. This adds even more popularity to him in modern society. Palm oil is sold in unrefined and refined forms, there is a third type produced in Latin America, it is a hybrid of African and American palms.

It seems that the benefits of palm oil are obvious, but there are other aspects to this product. It is usually blamed for containing huge amounts of saturated fatty acids. This oil is often compared to lard, but it does not contain anterogens. Palm oil contains mainly oleic acid, which is an unsaturated fatty acid that is easily digestible. The harm of palm oil is associated with the high amount of palmitic acid it contains, which increases cholesterol in the blood, which can cause atherosclerosis, obesity, vascular thrombosis, and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Palm oil: harm and benefit according to nutritionists

Nutritionists are convinced that palm oil, the harms and benefits of which have not yet been fully determined, is rather harmful. To increase the shelf life of dairy products, this component is added to them, because of this they become refractory. The temperature at which these products begin to melt is noticeably higher than the human body temperature; if such food ends up in the stomach, then it becomes just a sticky mass trying to cover everything around. Oils are usually valued for their high content of linoleic acid; their usefulness and price depend on this. Palm oil contains only 5% of such acid, and it contains no substances beneficial to the body at all.

Palm oil: harm and benefit

Those people who are concerned about their health switch to soft margarine, but this product will not be safe if it contains palm oil. When choosing margarine, you must carefully study the composition. Palm oil it shouldn't be in it. It is a fairly strong carcinogen. In developed countries, this type of oil has long been abandoned, and products containing it must have a label indicating this. Thus, this oil is, of course, cheap, but there are no health benefits from it.

Currently, palm oil has become widespread, the benefits and harms of which are still being studied, and controversy surrounding it continues.

Use of palm oil

Thanks to its interesting chemical and physical properties Palm oil has become one of the most common types of vegetable fat in the world. This is also due to the fact that it is easily available and very cheap. Palm oil is highly resistant to oxidation, so it can be stored for a long time.

Palm oil is mainly used in the food industry. It is used in the preparation of waffles, sponge rolls, cakes, creams, and semi-finished products are fried on it. Palm oil is included in processed cheese, condensed milk, combined butter, and is added to cottage cheese desserts and cottage cheese. Many modern recipes cannot do without palm oil. They also partially replace milk fat. In general, it is easier to list those products that do not contain palm oil than those that do contain it.

Palm oil, whose use is not limited to the food industry, is also used in the manufacture of candles and soap. In cosmetology, it is usually used to care for dry and aging facial skin, as it nourishes, softens and moisturizes the skin.

Palm oil is useful to use for certain diseases. For example, for vision problems: night blindness, blepharitis, glaucoma, conjunctivitis and others. Thanks to your medicinal properties Palm oil is recommended to be used to treat various diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Benefits of palm oil

Many people are interested in the question: “Is palm oil harmful or beneficial?”

If we talk about its benefits, then first of all it is necessary to emphasize that it contains a large amount of carotenoids, the strongest antioxidants that are of great value to the human body. Carotenoids have a positive effect on weakened hair and skin. Therefore, it is used by many well-known cosmetic companies.

Palm oil holds the record for vitamin E content, which consists of tocotrienols and tocopherol. Tocotrienols are extremely rare in plants, they fight free radicals that cause cancer.

Palm oil is rich in triglycerols, which are digested very quickly, and when they enter the liver, they are used to produce energy without entering the bloodstream. This oil is especially useful for people who have difficulty digesting other fats, as well as those who watch their figure and athletes.

Palm oil also contains many unsaturated fats: oleic and linoleic acid, which help reduce blood cholesterol levels. These acids are involved in the structuring of bones, joints and are beneficial for skin health.

Provitamin A ensures the functioning of the vision analyzer and is involved in the production of visual pigment in the retina.

The harm of palm oil

The main harm of palm oil is its high content of saturated fats. The same fats are present in butter. Many scientists argue that consuming large amounts of saturated fat contributes to the occurrence of heart and vascular diseases.

Palm oil contains only 5% linoleic acid; it is on this indicator that the quality and price of vegetable oils depends. Vegetable oils contain on average 71–75% of this acid, and the more it is, the more valuable the type of oil.

Palm oil is refractory, which means that it is partially processed and excreted from the human body, the main part remains in the form of waste. They cover blood vessels, intestines and other important organs. In addition, it is carcinogenic and increases the risk of cancer.

Studies have shown that palm oil-based infant formulas cause bowel problems in children. Babies have colic more often, and calcium absorption is much worse, which means bone tissue is formed more slowly.

Statistics from the World Wildlife Fund say that half of all packaged foods contain palm oil. Companies are increasing the production of this oil and, for this purpose, wild tropical forests are being cut down and oil palm plantations are being planted in their place. As a result of deforestation, rare species of animals die - also indirect, but harmful.

What happens, is palm oil harmful or beneficial? Surprisingly, the benefits and harms of oil are comparable. For example, due to the saturated fats of the oil, heart problems arise when consumed, but at the same time it contains vitamins A, E, which make palm oil useful for the prevention of heart and cancer diseases. However, palm oil is a strong carcinogen and increases the risk of cancer. Palm oil is valued for its linoleic acid content, but at the same time it is much less than in other oils. Some strange combination of harmful and useful properties it turns out - maybe the researchers were British scientists or made a mistake somewhere? No, everything is much simpler - palm oil comes in several varieties.

Harm of palm oil for baby food

It is not recommended to use palm oil in children's nutrition, since the child's body cannot extract useful substances from it and it is not completely absorbed. And there is no place for carcinogens in children's diets. The child’s body is not yet ready for this kind of stress. Therefore, try not to give your children products containing palm oil.

Types of palm oil

The most useful and natural is red palm oil. To obtain it, gentle technology is used, in which most of the useful substances is saved. This oil is red in color due to its high carotene content (which gives orange to carrots and red to tomatoes).

Red palm oil has a sweetish taste and smell. The researchers came to the conclusion that during the refining process of palm oil, beneficial substances are released from it. And raw red palm oil contains a huge amount of beneficial substances. The described beneficial properties of palm oil mainly apply to red palm oil. It has long been consumed as food by the indigenous people of Central and Western Africa, Central America and Brazil. In Africa, red palm oil is popular as an excellent fat raw material. Some scientists claim that this oil is no different in beneficial properties from olive oil, so popular among Europeans.

Refined and deodorized palm oil is a different product. It is odorless and colorless. This is done specifically for use in the food industry. There is GOST R 53776-2010, which specifies the requirements for edible palm oil. This oil has the same beneficial properties as red palm oil, but in much less quantity.

There is another type of palm oil - technical, which is used for the production of cosmetics, soap and much more. This oil is five times cheaper than other types of palm oil. It differs from edible oil in its acid-fat composition. Due to the low degree of purification, industrial palm oil contains a lot of harmful oxidized fats. It happens that unscrupulous manufacturers add such oil to other products, which, when consumed, accumulate free radicals in the human body, causing oncological diseases. Also, consumption of industrial palm oil leads to the formation of cholesterol plaques.

Experts are confident that some manufacturers use industrial palm oil in the production of food products. But it is very difficult to bring the case to court, since identifying this oil in products is very difficult, so there have been no precedents yet.

When talking about the dangers of palm oil, they mainly mean industrial oil. But you need to understand that when purchasing products that contain palm oil, there is a high probability of getting a product that contains technical oil.

Four myths about palm oil

Palm oil is indigestible because it melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature. This is not true; fats are not digested in the human body under the influence of temperatures.

Palm oil is banned in developed countries. This is not true, for example, 10% of palm oil produced is consumed by the United States.

Palm oil can only be used in the metallurgical industry and soap making. In fact, palm oil has a wider range of uses. It is even known to have been used during World War II to produce napalm. But this does not mean that it absolutely cannot be used for food.

Palm oil is produced from the trunk of a palm tree. This is not true, it is made from the fleshy part of the oil palm fruit.

The benefits and harms of palm oil are known to many. Palm oil has a number of beneficial properties, some of which are even unique, but this only applies to red palm oil. Technical oil is very harmful and even dangerous. But, unfortunately, due to its low cost, it is now being added to products more and more often. It is impossible to say with certainty that edible or technical oil is contained in a particular product that you brought home from the store.

Industrial palm oil is especially dangerous for children’s health, so it is necessary, if possible, to remove products that contain palm oil from the child’s diet. Whether to eat palm oil or not, everyone decides for themselves. We tried to give you a little information.

One of the most common food ingredients on the market is palm oil, which all met in the products, but they know little about him.

Is it so harmful and can it be consumed? Let's try to figure it out. We will talk about the dangers and benefits of palm oil in food in this article.

Dear readers! Our articles talk about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is unique.

If you want to know how to solve exactly your problem - contact the online consultant form on the right or call free consultation:

What is it?

Palm oil is a product produced from oil palm fruits(Eleis of Guinea).

Now the main places where oil palm is cultivated for agricultural purposes are:

Indonesia;
countries of West and Central Africa;
Malaysia.

The main supplier of oil to the international market is Malaysia, almost 100% of palm oil on the Russian market is represented by products of this country.

The peculiarity of the oil palm is that, unlike other types of vegetable oil, palm oil is obtained not from the seed, but from the soft fruit.

This allows the production of much larger volumes of products - the productivity of one hectare of oil palm 8 times higher than one hectare occupied by sunflower.

Thanks to this, it is cheaper to produce and has become widespread far from the cultivation of this agricultural crop.

Kinds

Depending on the raw material, there are two types of oil palm products:

Depending on the production technologies Palm oil is divided into various fractions used in the food industry:

palm stearin;
standard palm oil;
palm olein.

All types are used in the food industry and differ in melting point, fat content, digestibility coefficients and application features.

Why is it added?

Palm oil has a wide range of applications in the food industry. Thanks to low price and its features are added to products for various purposes:

milk fat surrogate;
cocoa butter surrogate;
for extending various products;
for the production of various special fats;
in its pure form as frying oil.

The main advantage of palm oil for the food industry is its cheapness in comparison with analogues: vegetable and milk fats. It is thanks to its low price that it has conquered the world food market, including in Russia.

What is the harm of the E330 food additive? Find out about this from ours.

Properties

Why do they add? Main properties oils are:

Is there any benefit?

Despite its bad reputation, palm oil still has benefits for the human body; in many ways, it is healthier than milk fats, which it is used to replace.

The beneficial properties of palm oil include:

Record vitamin E content, which is extremely rare in vegetation. It also has an extremely high content of vitamin A. As a result, oil palm products help fight skin aging, skin diseases and free radicals that cause cancer. The oil is beneficial for the muscular system, vision and sexual function.
According to some health organizations, palm oil does not contain cholesterol, which has a positive effect on the human cardiovascular system.
Palm oil contains ubiquinone and plastoquinone, again beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
If we ignore the food industry, we can note that palm oil has found wide application in cosmetology and medicine due to its beneficial properties: it good for skin and hair and promotes wound healing.

What's the harm?

However, despite its beneficial properties, palm oil remains a product whose use is being fought not only by social activists, but also by some states. prohibited the use of these agricultural products in the food industry.

Opponents of palm oil make the following arguments:

Consumption of palm oil reduces calcium absorption in infants by 20% or more. Thus, the use of palm olein in infant formula disrupts intestinal function and can lead to bowel dysfunction and intestinal colic due to the characteristics of the body of infants. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid using formulas containing unstructured palm oil (structured oil or beta palmitate is found in more expensive formulas and its content has virtually no effect on the child’s body).
Palm oil contains only 5% unsaturated fatty acids, and in vegetable oil their content reaches 75%. Therefore, palm oil brings significantly less benefits than sunflower or other types of vegetable fats.
The large amount of saturated fats contained in palm oil makes it similar in properties and harmfulness to butter. Saturated fats lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases, which compensates for the lack of cholesterol in palm oil.
Palm oil less easily absorbed by humans, as a result of which the body is significantly more contaminated with toxins than when consuming vegetable oils.

The benefits and harms of palm oil are almost equal, which is what allows it to have such a controversial reputation.

Where is it kept?

What products are they added to?

Now palm oil is on the Russian market can be found in a huge number of different products nutrition.

In one form or another it is used in:

various types of dairy products (margarines, spreads, cheese, and curd products, condensed milk, etc.);
and confectionery;
mayonnaise and mayonnaise sauces;
chips;
inexpensive instant foods (porridge, noodles, purees, etc.);
sausages;
frozen products.

Almost any product that uses milk fats or is fried may contain traces of palm oil as a cheap substitute for more expensive types of fats: milk and vegetable.

How to recognize in products?

First of all, of course, you need to pay attention to the packaging of the product. Palm oil on labels usually indicated in the composition How:

Palm oil;
or hidden behind the words “vegetable fat” or “vegetable oil”.

You also need to pay attention to:

If you have to eat food in conditions where it is not possible to study the composition (for example, in a cafe), then you can determine the palm oil in the product taste(cheeses containing vegetable fats have a “soapy” taste).

Or visually - for example, on a piece of ice cream rubbed with your fingers, the remaining film effect indicates the presence of palm oil.

What products don't have it?

Risk group products usually do not contain palm oil: milk, kefir, and natural cottage cheese. If milk product is perishable, then the presence of palm oil in it is practically excluded.

Naturally, natural products that have not been processed (meat, honey, vegetables, fruits, etc.) do not contain palm oil.

About harm and benefit palm oil in this video:

List of manufacturers that do not use palm oil

The list of manufacturers using palm oil includes both world-famous food concerns and famous back in the USSR factories with popular brands.

But finding manufacturers who do not use vegetable fats as a dairy substitute is much more difficult.

In particular, these include:

Korenovsky milk canning plant (condensed milk, ice cream, yoghurts);
Kiprinsky Dairy Plant (butter, cheese);
Wimm Bill Dann (Agusha infant formula);
UNIVITA (trademark "Laime");
“Vkusville” (trademark “Izbenka”);
"Belarus Export" (oil).

How to choose milk without it?

How do you know that it is not in the composition? When choosing one made only from milk fat, should pay attention on the:

price, since 10 kg of milk is used to make 1 kg of natural cheese;
name - no cheese curds, cheese products, etc.;
composition indicated on the label.

When choosing butter it is also necessary to pay attention to the composition indicated on the label (only cream from natural product), and also take into account:

price - a low price guarantees the availability of vegetable fats, the cheaper, the more palm oil;
fat content - at least 70% for a natural product;
name and compliance with GOST.

Myths

The most common myths about palm oil are:

Nowadays it is almost impossible to avoid eating palm oil, since it can be contained in almost any food product. But you can reduce its consumption by giving preference more expensive natural products.

How to determine availability palm oil in dairy products? Find out about it in the video:

Detailed description and chemical composition palm oil. Useful properties of the product and possible harm for digestion, heart, blood vessels and figure. Methods of application in the food industry.

Description and composition of palm oil

Palm oil is a vegetable oil made from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm tree. This tree grows on the islands of the Indian Ocean, in Asian countries and on the African continent. Fruit ripening is possible only in a humid and hot equatorial climate, at a temperature not lower than +24°C. To obtain a high-quality fraction, they must be ripe. The leaders in the export of this product are Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The oil looks like an almost transparent liquid with a slightly sweetish odor; it has no taste as such. At low temperatures, the composition acquires a semi-solid or creamy consistency and requires melting in a water bath or in a microwave oven.

To obtain this widely popular culinary ingredient, the method of pressing or boiling the pulp of palm fruits is used. In the first case, we are talking about cold pressing, due to which all the beneficial properties of the product are preserved. The second method involves heating them, as a result of which the temperature can reach 150-200 degrees. Naturally, after such treatment, more than 50% of the substances are lost.

Palm oil is virtually tasteless, making it a popular ingredient in cooking. It can be stored without spoiling for more than 2-3 months in the refrigerator and several days at room conditions. In the process of its production, additives known in the food industry are produced - olein and stearin, which are actively added to margarines.

The calorie content of palm oil per 100 g is 899 kcal, of which the main percentage is fat (99.7 g). Water accounts for only 0.1 g.

Of the vitamins, there is only alpha-tocopherol (E) - 33.1 mg, retinol (A). Things are also not very good with macroelements - the body can only get phosphorus, and then only 2 mg. But there are quite a lot of sterols here - as much as 100 mg. The situation with fatty acids is completely different.

Saturated fatty acids per 100 g:

Caprylic - 3.3 g;
Capric - 3.8 g;
Lauric - 42.5 g;
Myristic - 11.9 g;
Palmitic - 6.3 g;
Stearic acid - 7.4 g;
Arachina - 1.1 g.

Among the monounsaturated fatty acids per 100 g there are 14.5 g of palmitoleic and 14 g of oleic, and of the polyunsaturated ones - 2.4 g of linoleic.

The characteristics of the main substances are as follows:

Vitamin E. This is a powerful antioxidant, also known as alpha-tocopherol. It is a fat-soluble substance, does not settle in water and is almost completely preserved after exposure to high or low temperatures. Its benefit lies in protecting the body from premature aging and oxidative processes. With a deficiency of this vitamin, hair, nails and skin suffer, memory and mood deteriorate, and the functioning of the thyroid gland is disrupted.
Vitamin A. Its other name is “retinol”; it is produced in the body from carotene. It is a natural antioxidant necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system, healthy hair, nails and skin, and metabolism.
Phosphorus. This micronutrient present in palm oil is essential for good health of bones, teeth, hair and muscles. It is also important for brain function, metabolism, and cell regeneration. The daily human need for it, depending on age, is 1-3.8 g.
Lauric acid. It is widely used to create soaps, creams and other cosmetics. This substance is known for its excellent ability to fight viruses and pathogenic microorganisms. Thanks to it, the feeling of hunger quickly disappears, the skin is moisturized, and mental activity improves.
Palmitoleic acid. It belongs to the monounsaturated type and is one of the most useful. This substance is found in human subcutaneous fat and is necessary for the production of nerve cells, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Myristic acid. This is a readily soluble substance belonging to the class of saturated fatty acids. It forms compounds with calcium ions, is not absorbed in the intestines and is released along with the stool. Therefore, this component of the product does not have a significant impact on health.

Important! Considering that palm oil contains the most fatty acids, you should not get carried away with it.

Benefits of palm oil

This product is a powerful antioxidant that has a beneficial effect on the body's cells. It protects them from oxidation and the harmful effects of toxins, thereby preventing premature aging processes. This is a source of healthy unsaturated fats, which are vital for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. This is especially true for older people, who experience such problems much more often than younger people.

The list of beneficial properties of palm oil is as follows:

Well satisfies hunger. Being high in calories and rich in carbohydrates, the product suppresses appetite and quickly gives a feeling of fullness.
Improves brain function. Since this oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, it stimulates mental activity.
Gives strength. This is possible due to the fact that the product contains triglycerides, which, when entering the bloodstream, saturate the cells with oxygen. This way you have more energy, improve your mood and improve your performance.
Cleansing the body. Oleic and linoleic acids, of which there are quite a lot in the product, are necessary to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. This helps prevent various diseases heart and blood vessels - thrombosis, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.
Takes care of vision. In order for it to always remain good, the body must constantly receive vitamin A. You can meet the daily need for it by consuming at least 2 tsp. oils per day. This will help strengthen the retina and prevent its detachment, the development of cataracts and other ophthalmological diseases.
Helps with exhaustion of the body. One of the indications for the use of palm oil is sudden weight loss. You can gain it due to the fact that it contains a lot of calories that provide energy.

The benefits of palm oil are undeniable if they are not abused. The maximum recommended amount per day is no more than 2 tbsp. l. Moreover, it is advisable to eat it in its pure form; its use in baked goods and various products almost completely devalues the importance of the product.

Why is palm oil harmful?

Nutritionists are unfavorable towards palm oil. They explain their negative attitude towards it by the fact that it is oversaturated with harmful fats. It contains neither healthy proteins nor easily digestible carbohydrates. Another danger is that most of the oils sold are produced by the so-called hot pressing method. This process uses temperature treatment, during which not only almost half of all useful substances are lost, but also carcinogens accumulate in the oil. It is known that these substances cause serious harm to humans - they provoke the growth of tumors, the development of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.

Harm of palm oil to the cardiovascular system

Unlike olive and corn oil, palm oil contains only 10% poly- and monounsaturated acids. The rest is saturated fats, which, according to numerous studies, can cause the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and increased cholesterol levels, which entails the development of hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

With regular abuse of this oil, the blood vessels become dirty, waste and toxins accumulate in them. All this leads to their narrowing and thinning of the walls. As a result, there are risks of complications in the form of varicose veins, the formation of blood clots and their rupture. It is also dangerous that such oil increases arterial pressure Therefore, it is strictly contraindicated for hypertensive patients.

Is palm oil bad for your figure?

This is one of the most high-calorie foods; 100 g contains almost 900 kcal. This is 1/3 of the daily requirement of an adult. We are talking here only about the raw product; when cooked, its nutritional properties almost double. As a result, consuming this oil has a negative impact on weight.

It has been proven that it disrupts metabolism, “clogs” the intestines, blood vessels and liver, and prevents cleansing of the body. All this leads to an increase in body weight, and over time, if nothing is done, to the development of obesity.

The harm of palm oil for the figure lies in the fact that it is poorly digested and absorbed. Its remnants accumulate in the subcutaneous fat layer and lead to weight gain. Those who are naturally inclined to be overweight should be especially attentive to this.

Harmful of palm oil for digestion

This product is very difficult for the stomach: not only does it take a long time and is difficult to digest, it also often causes severe heartburn. In some cases, its use leads to bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Most often this occurs with gastritis, colitis, biliary dyskinesia. It increases the level of bilirubin in the blood and inhibits the functioning of the pancreas.

This product also has a negative effect on the liver, saturating it with harmful fats. This can lead to fatty liver disease and even cirrhosis. The substances contained in it irritate the intestinal and stomach mucosa, contaminate them, cause attacks of abdominal pain and increase the risk of tumor growth.

Such problems can arise when consuming both raw and heat-treated oil. But the first one is still not so harmful. Metabolism and pancreatic dysfunction predisposes to the development of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Due to the refractoriness of the oil, it is difficult to digest and absorb by the body, and what remains in the body as a result of this is not excreted anywhere. Thus, its intoxication occurs, which already affects the general well-being.

Important! Some countries have banned or restricted the import of this product because it is considered hazardous to health and even addictive, like nicotine or caffeine.

Features of the use of palm oil in nutrition

This is a widely used ingredient for making baked goods - pies, bread, cakes, cookies, etc. It is often added to candies to give them hardness and increase shelf life. It is the basis for the production of margarine, which can significantly reduce the cost of the product. In fact, this is the real one food supplement, designed to change the taste properties of a particular product.

Palm oil can often be found among the ingredients in crackers, sauces, and chips. Sometimes French fries are fried on it. It is popular as a replacement for other vegetable oils, since it is consumed much more economically. The use of this ingredient is not excluded even in the creation of baby food and various semi-finished products.

The main task of palm oil is to improve the presentation of products and their taste, increase shelf life and reduce cost. Despite its significant harm to health, it is one of the main preservatives in the food industry. It is temperature resistant, practically odorless and tasteless, and easily combined with all products.

Oil palm oil in its raw form perfectly complements fresh salads of vegetables and fruits. The product obtained by hot pressing can be used for frying, boiling, stewing, and baking. It makes excellent frying for first courses and various sauces.

Here are some interesting recipes with palm oil:

Casserole. Add to cold water(2-3 l) juice of one lemon and rinse young crabs (no more than 300 g) in them. After this, pour vegetable oil into a hot frying pan and fry this ingredient. While it's cooking, crush the garlic (5 cloves) with a masher and add it to the crabs. Now salt and pepper the mixture, add onion cut into rings, chopped carrots and pepper (1 piece each). Next, just simmer the mixture thoroughly under the lid for 20-30 minutes and add 2 tbsp before turning off. l. palm oil.
Stew. Peel and chop the onion (1 pc.), carrots (1 pc.), bell pepper (1 pc.), garlic (5 cloves) and tomatoes (2 pcs.) poured boiling water. Next, fry it all in palm oil, cover with water and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes. Before turning off the burner, add chopped basil, salt, ground black pepper, celery and sugar to taste. It is served cold.
Stuffed eggplants. Wash them (4 pieces), cut them in half, remove the middle and soak in warm, salty water for 10 minutes. This is necessary for the bitterness to go away. Next, rinse, peel and chop the champignons (600 g), tomatoes (4 pcs.), garlic (4 cloves) and onion (1 head). All this must first be fried in a large amount of palm oil, and then used as a filling for eggplants. Then they should be baked in the oven and decorated with grated cheese.
Snack. Grate the peeled ginger root, which should be no more than 2 tbsp. l. and garlic (2 cloves). Combine them with the juice of half a lemon, 1 tbsp. l. chopped walnuts, palm oil (3 tbsp), pepper and salt to taste, balsamic vinegar (2 tbsp). Now wash and cut the cucumbers (5-6 pieces) into slices, and then place them on a plate, garnish with spinach and pour over the prepared sauce.

Watch a video about palm oil:

Palm oil A plant product that is obtained from the oil palm, exclusively from ripe seeds. This plant grows in Malaysia, Guinea, Indonesia.

Today, palm oil is one of the most popular and widespread vegetable fats. Due to the low cost and excellent taste of this vegetable oil, residents of countries such as Southeast Asia and Latin America consume it almost daily and consider it an integral part of their diet.

What is palm oil made from?

There are two types of palm oil:

Raw – made from the pulp of palm seeds;
Palm kernel - produced from the central kernel, which is located inside the fruit.

All palm oil is divided into three fractions. They differ in melting point, qualities and scope of application.
Palm stearin (melting at t=46.6–53.8°). It has a solid structure and is most often used in the production of margarine, ready-made puff pastry, detergents, and cosmetics.
Standard oil (melting at t=36–39°). It is perfect for frying, as it does not produce fumes or smoke when heated. Used in confectionery products.
Palm olein (melting at t=19.2–23.6°). It has a liquid, creamy consistency. Used in cooking and cosmetology.

Natural palm oil has a rich composition and includes:

polyunsaturated acids of Omega-6 and Omega-3 groups;
tocopherols;
coenzyme Q10;
carotenoids;
monounsaturated acids;
vitamins E, A;
stearic and palmitic acids.

You should know that the oil obtained after simple pressing and squeezing is technical. The process of deep processing of palm oil occurs in five stages of refining, including purification, hydration, neutralization, deodorization and bleaching. Only after such long processing will palm oil be ready for use.

Harm

Why is palm oil harmful?

Increased cholesterol levels;
Vascular damage;
Lipid metabolism disorders;
Atherosclerotic deposits;
Diabetes;
Alzheimer's disease;
Obesity;
Cardiovascular diseases;
Oncological formations;
Addiction.

Nutritionists, having studied the dangers of palm oil, strongly do not recommend purchasing products that contain this cheap fat substitute. French fries, condensed milk, instant noodles, chips, chocolate spread, crackers, crackers - when buying these and any other products, carefully study their composition. If the label states that the product contains this exotic oil, refuse (better refuse) from purchasing it!

Benefit

Benefits of palm oil

There are still benefits to palm oil, despite its obvious harm. It is an excellent source of valuable antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and protect cells from harmful sun rays and radiation. In addition, palm oil contains triglycerol (a type of fatty acid), which is similar to cow's milk protein.

The presence of vitamin A in the oil has a positive effect on vision, and a special substance called lutein improves the functions of the retina and normalizes the condition of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye. Vitamin E normalizes eye pressure, protects the lens from cataracts and has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system of the visual organs.

Palm oil in baby food

The harm and benefits of palm oil for children's bodies have been studied very closely. There have been numerous discussions on this issue, experiments and studies have been carried out. However, the verdict for the product was unanimous - palm oil is harmful and should not be present in a child’s diet. For a baby’s fragile body, this exotic product poses a serious danger and is completely unsuitable as food.

The presence of palm oil in a child’s diet can lead to the following pathological processes:

Stomach colic;
Frequent regurgitation;
Constipation;
Leaching calcium from the body.

Unscrupulous baby food manufacturers include palm oil in their products, because it is inexpensive. In addition, this product improves the taste of food and causes addiction by acting on nervous system child.

The baby’s body is not yet formed for such loads, and any flavor enhancer is a narcotic drug and a dangerous carcinogen for him - and these substances have no place in a child’s diet. Therefore, if you care about the health of your children, carefully study the labels on baby food packages and do not buy products that contain palm oil!

Hydrogenated palm oil

The hydrogenation process is the treatment of oils under the influence of high temperatures using chemicals. As a result, the oil becomes solid from its liquid form, receiving the status of trans fat - an extremely dangerous substance for our body. There is a reverse form of this process - dehydrogenation (transformation of solid oil into liquid).

Palm oil after the hydrogenation procedure is a trans fat and has a detrimental effect on the condition of all vital systems of the body. It impairs the function of blood arteries, adversely affects the heart, and can cause cancer and type II diabetes.

The harm of hydrogenated palm oil is enormous. Pregnant and lactating women should especially beware of trans fats, and should not allow them to enter the child’s diet. This can lead to irreversible pathologies and negatively affect the growth and development of the child’s body.

When going to the store to buy groceries, take your time and carefully read the ingredients of the products indicated on the labels.

Trans fat is often referred to as:

Polyunsaturated margarine;
Partially hydrogenated;
Hardened vegetable fat;
Elaidic acid.

Eat healthy foods, season your salads olive oil, bake rather than fry meat, give up fast food, enrich your daily diet with vegetables and fruits. Be careful, because no one but you will worry about your health!