According to healthline, all around the world, palm oil consumption is increasing. However, it’s highly controversial food. On one hand, it’s reported to provide several health benefits, on the other, it may pose risks to heart health.
Here are potential benefits of palm oil.
1. Brain health
Palm oil is an excellent source of tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E with strong antioxidant property that may support brain health. Animal and human studies suggest that the tocotrienols in palm oil may help to protect the delicate polyunsaturated fats in the brain, slow dementia progression, reduce risk of stroke, and prevent growth of brain lesions. In a two year study involving 121 people with brain lesions, the group who took palm oil derived tocotrienols twice a day remained stable, whereas the group who received a placebo experience lesion growth. Additionally, a 2020 review of 18 animal and test-tube studies noted that palm oil and palm oil tocotrienols appear to provide neuroprotective effects against cognitive decline.
2. Heart health
Palm oil has been credited with providing protection against heart disease. Although some study results have mixed, this oil generally appear to have beneficial effect on heart disease risk factors, including lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. A large analysis of 51studies found that total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels were lower in people who followed palm oil rich diet than those who consumed diets high in trans fats or myristic and lauric acids. A 3- month study published in 2016 looked at the cholesterol- lowering effects of palm oil made from a hybrid of Elaeis oleifera trees.
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In this study, people consumed either 25ml (2 tablespoons) of olive oil or a hybrid palm oil daily. Based on a 15% drop in LDL cholesterol (bad) in both groups, researchers suggested this palm oil could be called “the tropical equivalent of olive oil.” Nevertheless, it’s important to note that an increase or decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels alone cannot predict heart disease risk. There are many factors involved.
3. Improve vitamin A status
Red palm oil may also help improve vitamin A status in people who are deficient or at risk of deficiency because it’s rich in carotenoids that the body can convert into vitamin A. One small study found that people with cystic fibrosis, a condition that makes it difficult to absorb fat soluble vitamins, experienced an increase in vitamin A blood levels after taking two to three tablespoon of red palm oil daily for 8 weeks. Another review of nine high quality studies noted that red palm oil supplement could increase vitamin A levels in both children and adults.
Source: Healthline.com
