Palm nut oil can refer to palm oil, red palm oil, palm kernel oil or other oils derived from the fruit or nut of the oil palm. This oil is used in a variety of food products. While it does contain saturated fats, palm oil also has antioxidant properties that may promote the health of your body.
Carotenoids
According to the American Palm Oil Council, red and golden palm oils contain an abundant amount of carotenoids, or beta-carotene, which possesses antioxidant properties. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body, and this nutrient is necessary for many bodily functions including the development of your bones and reproductive system. The Mayo Clinic states that palm oil is a good source of beta-carotene.
Vitamin E
Palm nut oils also contain high amounts of vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals that enter your body and can lead to sun damage. Free radicals not only increase the rate at which your skin ages, they can also cause health problems like heart disease and certain types of cancers. The vitamin E in palm oil may help prevent these conditions and keep free radicals from harming your body.
However, if you are taking medications to treat high blood pressure or other blood or heart conditions, ask your doctor before you start consuming palm nut oil. The vitamin E found in the oil can interfere with your body's absorption of these and other medications, as well as increase your risk of bleeding and possibly even raise your cholesterol.
Healthy Fats
You can keep your heart healthy by consuming antioxidants, but foods that are high in fat and cholesterol may harm your heart. According to the American Heart Association, palm nut oil does contain saturated fats, but it does not contain cholesterol. Furthermore, PubMed says that despite its saturated fat content, palm oil promotes the healthy functioning of your heart and blood vessels, rather than harms them. This is most likely due to the high amounts of antioxidants that are in the oil along with the fats.
The most common foods that contain palm oil include shortening, margarine and various sweets that are made with cocoa butter. You may also find the oil in the list of ingredients of food products like cake mixes, breakfast bars, crackers and other snacks. Lastly, palm oil can be purchased as a processed vegetable oil and used for cooking.
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