Palm kernel oil: description, properties, application features, benefits and harms
Palm kernel oil: description, properties, application features, benefits and harms
Anonim

Today palm oil is being actively discussed in all media. Who tries to prove his harm, who benefit. But first you need to understand that two varieties of this oil are produced. Because of the place where the palm tree grows - Africa - both varieties are called tropical. Palm oil and palm kernel oil differ in the way they are produced. Let's talk about them in more detail.

How to receive

Palm oil has a high level of resistance to oxidation and rancidity. It contains the same amount of unsaturated fatty acids and saturated ones. It is made from the soft part of the oil palm fruit.

palm palm kernel oil
palm palm kernel oil

This oil is rich in carotenoids and palmitic acid. Melts at temperatures above 30°C. The locals use it in cooking.

Palm kernel oil is obtained from the fruits of the same palm tree, only from the kernels, by pressing. In our country, such a product is actively used for soap making (for good foamingand elasticity), in the production of cosmetics, medical ointments and perfumes.

Where do palm trees grow?

Oil palms grow to a height of about 20 m and fruit clusters very similar to plums. One brush is about 800 fruits, weighing up to 50 kg. One hectare of palm plantations yields eight times more vegetable oil than one hectare of sunflower land. They are grown on special plantations in India, Thailand, Indonesia, Africa and other countries. The largest exporter of palm kernel oil today is Malaysia.

palm kernel oil
palm kernel oil

Archaeological finds confirm the guesses of researchers that this oil was consumed by our distant ancestors about five thousand years ago. It is still used today in the preparation of many national dishes of the inhabitants of West African countries.

Description

Palm kernel oil is a not very solid substance with a yellowish-white hue. It contains 20% unsaturated fatty acids and 80% saturated fatty acids. Therefore, it is not particularly useful for the body.

Palm kernel oil is found in many products, such as chocolate, ice cream, margarine, various creams. From the percentage of its content in every hundred grams of the product, its effect on the body is curled

Palm kernel oil: harmful or not?

This oil is considered environmentally friendly. Nutritionists say that it must be included in the diet of an adult every day. African walnut palms have never been treated with insecticides orpesticides.

palm kernel oil application
palm kernel oil application

Despite the many controversial situations around the benefits and harms of palm kernel oil, no one refutes the information that it contains only 20% unsaturated fats, and the remaining 80% are saturated triglycerides, which are easily metabolized and are definitely involved in reduction of "bad" lipids coming from food. As a result, when using it:

- improves general well-being;

- improving the quality of the skin and hair;

- increases the strength of the body's bone tissue.

Palm kernel oil. Properties

It is an irreplaceable source of antioxidants. Palm kernel oil occupies a leading position in the content of tocotrienol, the main source of vitamin E. For example, a small amount of palm kernel oil in the daily diet provides excellent protection against ultraviolet rays. Also, tocotrienols prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, especially in the arteries, and in particular in the carotid, which reduces the risk of stroke.

is palm kernel oil harmful or not
is palm kernel oil harmful or not

A little-known but well-studied property of oil is the suspension of body aging. The beta-carotene involved in this gives the palm kernel oil its bright red hue. And carotenes, everyone knows, improve visual acuity, positively affect the functioning of the immune system and metabolic processes in the skin and the body as a whole, slowing down their aging.

Palm kernel oil contains a high percentage of vitamin K. And thispositive effect on blood clotting.

And the great news from the latest research is that there are no trans fats in this oil. Therefore, nutritionists almost always recommend it for the nutrition of those who are struggling with excess weight.

Today you can often hear that palm kernel oil is only harmful because it is hydrogenated. This process was invented in order to obtain a solid product from vegetable oil of a liquid consistency. And this oil melts at a temperature slightly above room temperature. Therefore, he does not need the hydrogenation process.

Many believe that palm kernel oil is harmful. Allegedly in the stomach it turns into plasticine. This is, of course, an incorrect assertion. Salo, hard cheeses also do not melt in the stomach. Digestion of food occurs under the influence of acid, not temperature.

There is a rumor that palm kernel oil is banned in developed countries. In fact, it is these countries that buy oil in thousands of tons. The US alone accounts for more than 10% of global consumption of this tropical product.

Food Applications

Where is palm kernel oil used? Applications in the food industry are particularly common.

palm kernel oil in the food industry
palm kernel oil in the food industry

The benefits or harms of palm kernel oil in baby food have been debated for a long time. Most researchers and nutritionists agree that this tropical component should not be in such a dairy diet. For a fragile children's gastrointestinal tract, palm kernel oil is very dangerous. Frequent admission toEating formula milks with this product has the following potential side effects:

- colic in the stomach;

- groundless regurgitation;

- severe constipation;

- leaching of calcium from the child's body;

- even the appearance of addiction is possible (harmful effect on the baby's nervous system).

This tropical oil is recommended, first of all, to replenish vitamin A in the body. Especially in children and pregnant women.

Palm kernel oil is used in the food industry for:

- production of oil-based products (table oils, spreads, margarines);

- for processed cheese production;

- increasing the terms of implementation (storage) of products.

Other oil uses

It is also used for the production of cosmetic products (soaps, creams, lotions), in dietary nutrition, is prescribed to control blood pressure, prevent cancer, in the fight against excess weight and neuropsychic breakdowns.

palm kernel oil properties
palm kernel oil properties

Palm kernel oil is often used in salons or massaged with it at home. It is used as an independent massage agent or in a 1:10 ratio with other fatty ingredients.

Sometimes it is included in aroma compositions, adding to it essential oils recommended by the attending physician.

palm kernel oil harm
palm kernel oil harm

To many women, cosmetologists recommend this tropical oil for facial skin careand bodies. It is advisable to purchase in pharmacies or specialized stores so as not to run into a fake. To restore elasticity, hydration and nutrition of the skin of any part of the body, after a shower or bath, a small amount of oil is applied with point and circular movements, rubbed into the skin. For these purposes, you can use both the product itself and make mixtures based on it, adding, for example, almond, peach, coconut or avocado and grape seed oil.

Cosmetologists welcome applications and masks with formulations based on palm kernel oil. Place wipes soaked in a mixture of oils on the problem area for 15-20 minutes. Conduct a course of such procedures.

Curls also respond well to this tropical oil. Oil should be mixed into hair balm (1:10). Gently rub into curls and scalp, rinse well. Sometimes it is recommended to rub this remedy into the nail plate.

The harmlessness of palm kernel oil

Tropical African palm oil is considered safe at recommended doses and taken for no more than six months. Palm kernel oil is also perfectly safe in the composition of products (ice cream, margarine, spread, chocolate).

It can become harmful in several cases. For example, in the case of frying on it or using it for salad dressing.

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