Palm oil has been in the spotlight as of late as it may not be as healthy for you as once believed. It’s also found in many everyday items including beauty products, margarine, precooked meals, chocolates, and cereals, meaning your exposure to it can be quite high.
Palm oil is about 50 percent saturated fat, which is known to increase LDL cholesterol – the bad type. High LDL cholesterol is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Some studies have also suggested that heated up palm oil may increase cancer risk. To produce palm oil, it must be heated to at least 200 degrees Celsius, which at this point the smell and taste are removed. This allows for the oil to become pliable, so it can be used in a variety of forms, such as in cosmetics. When heated to these temperatures, the oil then releases cariogenic compounds.
Despite the research against palm oil, it has yet to be banned. This may be because other oil options are more expensive than using palm oil.
In the meantime, if companies are still going to use palm oil, you can reduce your intake and usage of it by carefully reading product labels and avoiding items that contain palm oil, especially if you already have high cholesterol levels.
Also read:
- How much cholesterol should you have a day?
- Natural cholesterol reducers: Alternative foods and therapies to lower cholesterol