Today, palm oil is actively discussed in all media. Who is trying to prove his harm, who is good. But first you need to understand that two grades of this oil are produced. Due to the palm growing place - Africa - both varieties are called tropical. Palm, palm kernel oil differ in the method of production. Let's talk about them in more detail.
How to get
Palm oil is distinguished by a high level of resistance to oxidation and rancidity. It contains the same amount of unsaturated fatty acids and saturated. It is produced from the soft part of the fruit of the oil palm.
The richness of this oil is in carotenoids and
palmitic acid. It melts at temperatures above 30 ° C. Locals use it in cooking.
Palm kernel oil is obtained from the fruits of the same palm, only from the kernels, by pressing. In our country, such a product is actively used for soap making (for good foaming and elasticity), in the production of cosmetics, medical ointments and perfumes.
Where do palm trees grow?
Oil palm trees grow about 20 m high and fruit tassels are very similar to plums. One brush is about 800 fruits, weighing up to 50 kg. Eight times more vegetable oil is obtained from one hectare of palm plantations than from one hectare of land under sunflower. They are grown on special plantations in India, Thailand, Indonesia, Africa and other countries. Today, Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm kernel oil.
Archaeological finds confirm the guesses of researchers that our distant ancestors used this oil about five thousand years ago. It is still used in the preparation of many national dishes of the inhabitants of West African countries.
Description
Palm kernel oil is a not very solid substance of a yellowish-white hue. It contains 20% unsaturated fatty acids and 80% saturated. Therefore, it is not particularly beneficial for the body.
Palm kernel oil is part of many products, such as chocolate, ice cream, margarine, a variety of creams. Of its percentage 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 argue that it must be included in the diet of an adult every day. African walnut palms have never been treated with insecticides or pesticides.
Despite many controversial situations around the benefits and harms of palm kernel oil, no one refutes the information that it contains unsaturated fats only 20%, and the remaining 80% are saturated triglycerides, which are easily metabolized and are precisely involved in reducing “bad” lipids coming from food. As a result, when using it:
- overall health improves;
- improving the quality condition of the skin and hair;
- increases the strength of the bone tissue of the body.
Palm kernel oil. The properties
It is an indispensable source of antioxidants. Palm kernel oil is a leader 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.
A little-known, but well-studied property of oil is the suspension of aging. The beta-carotene involved in this gives the palm kernel
oil a bright red tint. 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 large percentage of vitamin K. And this is a positive effect on blood coagulation.
And the great news of the latest research is that there are no trans fats in this oil. Therefore, nutritionists almost always recommend it for those who are struggling with excess weight.
Today one can often hear that palm kernel oil does only harm because it is hydrogenated. This process was invented in order to obtain a solid product from vegetable oil of liquid consistency. And this oil melts at a temperature slightly above room temperature. Therefore, he does not need a hydrogenation process.
Many people think that palm kernel oil is harmful. Allegedly, it turns into plasticine in the stomach. This, of course, is a false statement. Lard, hard cheeses do not melt in the stomach either. Digestion of food occurs under the influence of acid, not temperature.
Rumor has it that in developed countries, palm kernel oil is prohibited. In fact, it is these countries that buy oil in thousands of tons. Only the United States accounts for more than 10% of the global consumption of this tropical product.
Application in the food industry
Where is palm kernel oil used? Application in the food industry is especially common.
The benefits or dangers 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 milk diet. Palm kernel oil is very dangerous for the fragile children's gastrointestinal tract. Frequent ingestion with milk mixtures of this product threatens with such possible consequences:
- colic in the stomach;
- groundless regurgitation;
- severe constipation;
- leaching of calcium from the child's body;
- even the appearance of dependence is possible (detrimental effect on the baby’s nervous system).
Such tropical oil is recommended, first of all, to replenish vitamin A in the body. Especially in children and women in position.
Palm kernel oil in the food industry is used for:
- production of oil-based products (table oils, spreads, margarines);
- for the production of processed cheese;
- increase the terms of sale (storage) of products.
Other oil applications
It is also used for the production of cosmetic products (soaps, creams, lotions), in diet food, and is prescribed for controlling blood pressure, preventing cancer, in the case of overweight and neuropsychiatric breakdowns.
Often apply palm kernel oil in salons or do massages with it at home. It is used as an independent massage tool or in a ratio of 1:10 with other fatty components.
Sometimes it is included in aroma compositions, adding to it the essential oils recommended by the attending physician.
Beauticians recommend this tropical oil to face and body skin care for many women. It is advisable to purchase in pharmacies or specialty 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 in precise and circular movements, rubbed into the skin. For these purposes, you can use both the tool itself and make a mixture based on it, adding, for example, almond, peach, coconut or avocado oil and grape seed.
Beauticians welcome applications and masks with palm kernel oil formulations. Apply soaked napkins to 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 in the hair balm (1:10). Gently rub into the curls and scalp, rinse well. Sometimes it is recommended to rub this tool into the nail plate.
The harmlessness of palm kernel oil
Tropical African palm oil is considered safe when observing the recommended doses and taking no more than six months. It is also completely safe palm kernel oil 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 use for dressing salads.