Palm Oil: A Controversial Vegetable Oil, But Actually Reduces Blood Cholesterol Levels
Palm Oil: A Controversial Vegetable Oil, But Actually Reduces Blood Cholesterol Levels
In recent times, the cultivation of oil palms has expanded to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. These nations currently account for over 80% of global palm oil production.
21st May 2024
Palm oil is derived from the pulp of oil palms, and its unrefined form is often called red palm oil due to its reddish-orange hue.
The primary source of palm oil is the Elaeis guineensis tree, native to coastal regions of West and Southwest Africa such as Angola, Gabon, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, among others. It has a rich history of utilisation in these areas. A related species, Elaeis oleifera, exists in South America but is seldom cultivated commercially. However, hybrids of the two species are occasionally used in palm oil production.
In recent times, the cultivation of oil palms has expanded to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. These nations currently account for over 80% of global palm oil production.
Palm oil has become one of the most widely used and affordable oils worldwide, constituting approximately one-third of global plant oil production.
History
The oil palm, scientifically known as Elaeis guineensis, originated in West Africa, where it has been utilised as a staple food crop for approximately 5,000 years. Historical evidence, including findings in Egyptian tombs where individuals were buried with containers of palm oil, highlights the significant societal value placed on this product. While palm oil was widely used in West Africa, its international market presence surged notably during the British Industrial Revolution and the expansion of global trade.
Driven by European settlers and entrepreneurs recognising the potential for commercial palm oil production in manufacturing soaps, lubricants and edible oils, oil palm plantations experienced a remarkable expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The establishment of the first large-scale plantation in Malaysia occurred in 1917, located in the Tennamaram Estate in Selangor.
Controversy
Palm oil is said to offer various health advantages, but it is also associated with potential risks to heart health. Moreover, concerns regarding its production’s environmental impact have been raised.
This is because of two reasons: its saturated fat content results in heart diseases, and the environmental impact leads to deforestation and the destruction critical habitat for many endangered species.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the National Institute of Nutrition, issued a significant dietary guideline aimed at improving nutrition intake among Indians and reducing the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases that have become increasingly common in the population.
Neelanjana Singh, speaking to IndiaToday.in, highlighted that palm oil is rich in vitamin E tocotrienols, potent antioxidants known to help lower cholesterol levels. She emphasised that palm oil is highly versatile, cost-effective and has excellent stability, making it a preferred choice for the food industry in manufacturing packaged foods.
Palm oil comprises 50% saturated fatty acids, 40% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 10% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The high proportion of MUFA renders palm oil beneficial for heart health.
Research suggests that MUFA can help maintain a healthy cholesterol balance by potentially increasing HDL (good cholesterol) without significantly elevating LDL (bad cholesterol), as explained by the expert.
Furthermore, palm oil exhibits a more favourable fatty acid composition compared to coconut oil, which contains over 85% saturated fatty acids.
Neelanjana Singh pointed out that palm oil is less saturated than butter and does not contain trans fats, which are harmful and should be avoided.
Dr. Arun Kumar, a paediatrician and nutrition specialist, explained that while oils have often been associated with increasing obesity and the risk of heart diseases, palm oil does not negatively impact lipid profiles by raising bad cholesterol levels.
He emphasised that managing high triglyceride levels, which are often linked to obesity, is better achieved by reducing refined carbohydrate intake rather than switching oil sources. Dr. Kumar highlighted that palm oil contains a significant amount of monounsaturated fat (40%), which is beneficial for heart health. This content is comparable to oils such as sesame, mustard and groundnut, and slightly less than olive oil.
Wide Use in India
CK Mishra, former Secretary Environment & former Secretary Health, stated that due to its unmatched affordability and versatility, India intends to decrease its reliance on other countries for vegetable oil imports.
The market size of palm oil was estimated at $7.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2023 to 2030. The National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), introduced in August 2021, aims to diminish India’s import dependency while also supporting farmers’ livelihoods.
Palm oil finds extensive usage in food products, cosmetics and biofuel both in India and worldwide. Its lack of odour, colourlessness and stability at high temperatures make it an excellent choice for large-scale production.
