Today, many are refusing products containing palm oil. Why is this happening? Is this substance really so harmful to the body?
Products with bright labels stating "contains no palm oil" are increasingly found on store shelves. This is due to the widespread belief that palm oil is harmful to health — supposedly it causes cancer and cardiovascular diseases. To understand this issue, it is necessary to first examine the composition of this oil.
Palm oil consists of both saturated and polyunsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are considered more beneficial as they are less prone to oxidation and have lower calorie content compared to saturated fats. In palm oil, the content of saturated (palmitic) and unsaturated (oleic) acids is almost equal. The main concerns regarding this oil are related to palmitic acid, which may raise the level of "bad" cholesterol in the body.
However, studies show that the effect of palm oil on cholesterol levels is similar to that of other vegetable oils with unsaturated fats. Scientists explain this by the positive effect of oleic acid. Moreover, palm oil contains no trans fats, which contribute to cholesterol formation in the body. The cholesterol level in it is also low — even lower than in sunflower oil.
In fact, when consumed in moderation, palm oil is beneficial due to its rich vitamin content and high energy value. However, as with any products containing saturated fats, one should not overindulge in this oil. The World Health Organization warns that excessive consumption of unsaturated fats significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
