Hated, discussed and feared: palm oil is one of the most controversial vegetable fats. But we’re pretty sure it’s really that bad for your health
. It has been proven to cause cancer
. The results of the latest scientific research may surprise you. Palm oil, because it is found in most food products
It is one of the most used fats in industry, and there is a reason for it. It is a relatively inexpensive and very versatile product thanks to its composition which makes it solid at room temperature. All this is made possible thanks to its saturated fats, similar to coconut oil. But while the latter is strangely praised by most, everyone is afraid of palm oil. Why Carcinogenic Palm Oil
An opinion, not a certainty
It all began in the spring of 2016 when EFSA – the European Food Safety Authority – expressed a negative opinion on palm oil: its use is harmful for everyone, says the Efsa, especially for children. The main defendants are the so-called glycidyl esters of fatty acids (GE), 3-monochloropropandiol (3-MCPD) and 2-monochloropropandiol (2-MCPD). But beware: the danger, EFSA always points out, lies not so much in the palm oil itself as in its refining process, which takes place around 200 degrees Celsius. That said, the cause-and-effect relationship between refined palm oil and cancer is only suspect. Palm oil: what happens to our body when we ingest it
During the digestion process of foods containing palm oil, two particular substances are released: 3-MCPD and glycidol, precursor of GE. If the first has been declared only a potential carcinogen, for the second there is still no scientific certainty.
Palm oil – Photo Shutterstock Who says that a product without palm oil is better
If on the one hand the risk of cancer can scare us, on the other hand it is good to make a consideration: if it is the refining that makes the product dangerous, what difference does it make if we use a product in which “with olive oil” appears on the label or a product in which palm oil is added.
These are always two refined products, therefore the risk is almost identical, with all the facets of the case.Going against the trend, Ferrero defends palm oil
Following EFSA’s statements, many companies, primarily Coop and Barilla, have developed new (and very viral) marketing strategies to churn out palm oil-free products. But hardly anyone says that refined oils are used anyway and that therefore the result, for our health, changes little. For example, in contrast, Ferrero defends the use of palm oil as long as it is processed at low temperatures, a practice that guarantees the containment of any critical substances. The result of its products is safe because it minimizes the presence of harmful substances, in line with the parameters set by EFSA itself. And thank goodness, we would like to say, so we can continue to eat the legendary and inimitable Nutella without problems.In summary, the 7 reasons why it does not hurt: Palm oil is processed at low temperatures, therefore it is not carcinogenic
Palm oil can only be considered harmful if refined at temperatures above 200 degrees. But there are companies that work it at far lower temperatures. The result
A totally harmless product that has nothing to envy to other vegetable oils. P resents very low amounts of 3-MCPD
According to the latest research carried out by the Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer association, the famous Nutella – to quote one of the most accused of containing palm oil – actually has a very low and therefore harmless 3-MCPD contamination. In contrast, similar hazelnut creams, which do not use palm oil, failed the test due to excessive values. Critical fatty acid esters can be found in many refined vegetable fats. ‘They are not yet completely avoidable, nevertheless it is possible to minimize them through optimized production methods and careful selection of raw materials,’ write the researchers. “So palm oil is not carcinogenic per se.” This is a “responsibility that lies with the producers: sunflower oil refined under difficult conditions can be more heavily contaminated with harmful fats than well refined palm oil. ‘ So, what is the point of choosing a “palm oil free” product, if not to follow the fashion of the momentPalm oil does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, it protects the heart
A recent review study that analyzed dozens of scientific papers highlighted how “palm oil consumed as part of a balanced diet does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Little or no additional benefit is obtained by replacing it with other oils rich in mono or polyunsaturated fatty acids ». It also states that “apart from palmitic acid, palm oil is made up of oleic and linoleic acids which are, respectively, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Palm oil also consists of vitamins A and E, which are powerful antioxidants and have been scientifically proven to protect the heart and blood vessels from ischemic plaque and injury, ”the researchers conclude.
- Leggi anche: Palm oil and the heart: A review
Jute palm oil to reduce cholesterol
In the scientific literature there are many works which highlight that palm oil reduces cardiovascular risk by decreasing serum cholesterol levels. Another positive note is that “the consumption of palm oil can increase HDL levels and reduce platelet aggregation”. Jute palm oil to prevent cancer
Palm oil is a vegetable fat, therefore healthier than those of animal origin, with anticancer potential. Yes: you got it right. Palm oil, if it is not refined, avoids the risk of contracting tumors of various types. In fact, when it is not subjected to too high temperatures, the content of delta-tocotrienols from the anti-tumor activity remains unaltered. This was demonstrated by two Italian universities: the State University of Milan and the University of L’Aquila. According to the research, published in the prestigious Scientific Reports (Nature group), tocotrienols (delta) showed a marked antitumor activity on melanoma cells. And, think about it: palm oil contains 50% of it. But that’s not all:Palm oil is not dangerous for the environment
Fewer pesticides are used to produce it – 2 kg per ton compared to 29 for soybean oil – few fertilizers and with a much lower energy expenditure than most similar agricultural products . Furthermore, for the same quantity, an area equal to five times the size of our peninsula is required to obtain soybean oil. Palm oil reduces poverty
The cultivation and production of palm oil, together with that of coconut oil, is one of the main means of economic livelihood of African populations. “The production of palm and coconut oil is very promising and represents one of the most effective methods against the poverty of developing nations such as the countries of sub-Saharan Africa,” reads an important review study. “The large-scale production of these oils provides jobs for millions of unskilled and semi-skilled workers.” Scientific sources
[1] World J Cardiol. 2015 Mar 26; 7 (3): 144-9. doi: 10.4330 / wjc.v7.i3.144. Palm oil and the heart: A review. Odia OJ, Ofori S, Maduka O.
[2] Palmol: Ist das Pflanzenfett wirklich krebserregend
[3] BMC Pharmacol. 2004 Nov 9;4:29. Effect of dietary palm olein oil on oxidative stress associated with ischemic-reperfusion injury in isolated rat heart. Narang D, Sood S, Thomas MK, Dinda AK, Maulik SK.
[4] Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2006 Dec;75(6):375-84. Epub 2006 Aug 22. Proposed mechanisms for red palm oil induced cardioprotection in a model of hyperlipidaemia in the rat. Esterhuyse JS, van Rooyen J, Strijdom H, Bester D, du Toit EF.
[5] Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997 Mar;6(1):12-6. Modulation of human lipids and lipoproteins by dietary palm oil and palm olein: a review. Sundram K.
[6] Med J Malaysia. 1991 Mar;46(1):41-50. Effects of palm oil on cardiovascular risk. Chong YH, Ng TK.
[7] Ghana Med J. 2016 Sep; 50(3): 189–196. PMCID: PMC5044790 Coconut oil and palm oil’s role in nutrition, health and national development: A review Laurene Boateng, Richard Ansong, William B Owusu, and Matilda Steiner-Asiedu
[8] Biomed Environ Sci. 2003 Dec;16(4):348-54. Effects of red palm oil on serum lipids and plasma []carotenoids level in Chinese male adults. Zhang J, Wang CR, Xue AN, Ge KY.
