Is Palm Oil Good for Your Health? : Possible contraindications and side effects

Palm oil is bad? What are the possible contraindications and side effects? There are three different types of this oil that have different characteristics. The crude palm oil is the oil extracted from the fruit of the plant, is solid at ambient temperature, maintains the red pigmentation and is rich in saturated fatty acids. The palm kernel oil, however, is derived from the seeds of the fruit, is free of pigments, it is solid and of white color. The refined palm oil, finally, is used primarily to industrial use. It is obtained by a refining process that makes yellow in the fluid state and devoid of antioxidant components.

Features and Contraindications

The crude palm oil is rich in saturated fatty acids, but it is also rich in antioxidants. This compensation places him among the compounds not harmful to man. In contrast, refined palm oil is deprived of beneficial properties and, therefore, can be considered as potentially not neutral. The palm oil contains 884 Kcal per 100 ml, saturated fat (47%) mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and protective (53%). In the raw state cholesterol it is absent and saturated fatty acids confer solidity to the oil itself, so it can not be hydrogenated. On the contrary, liquid vegetable oils in origin can be compacted only thanks to a process (hydrogenation) that makes it particularly harmful fat contained in it. Excessive consumption of this oil is risky in terms of obesity and recently recommended in the diet recommended for people with diabetes and for those who have cardiovascular disease.

Possible side effects

Palm oil contains saturated fatty acids long-chain crossing the intestine with more difficulties than medium chain (contained in animal fats), requiring emulsion by bile salts to be absorbed. Therefore, in the case in which the bowel or biliary function is impaired, it is better to replace this oil with those containing medium chain fatty (palm oil, coconut or seeds). While not presenting specific contraindications, it should be consumed in moderation. In fact, the presence of a high percentage of palmitic acid makes it potentially harmful to health, especially in conjunction with rich supply of salt at risk for arterie shrinkage. Moreover, those who are allergic to nuts, hazelnuts and dried fruit may manifest allergic reactions even to the palm oil. In this case we speak of cross-reactions, where the effects of allergies responsible antibodies (IgE) recognize in addition to the substances found in nuts also similar compounds in palm oil content.