Published on: September 1, 2022
Palm oil gets plenty of attention in the media for some of its negative effects due to the unsustainable practices within the industry. Despite this negative reputation, ethically sourced palm oil itself actually possesses incredible benefits for your health. Along with its amazing versatility, allowing it to be used in countless products worldwide, this sustainable crop has incredible benefits for the human body that can greatly increase a person’s health. Interested in finding out how palm oil can offer health advantages? Keep reading to discover six amazing benefits of palm oil!
One major perk of palm oil is its cardiovascular benefits. This crop has the ability to help immensely with the progression of heart disease. A large part of this positive cardiovascular effect is attributed to the cholesterol balancing properties it holds. It can promote a proper balance by raising good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) due to its lack of trans fats and its presence of unsaturated fats. This is crucial to keeping your heart in the healthiest condition possible.
Heart disease patients have seen success in stabilizing the severity of their disease through the consumption of a palm oil rich diet. Studies have shown that much of this group experienced a stabilized condition after incorporating palm oil into their diet, while some even saw an improved condition. These benefits can be extremely transformative for people dealing with heart problems.
Another incredible advantage of palm oil is that it can improve brain health. Palm oil contains tocotrienols, which is a type of vitamin E. Tocotrienols are antioxidants that are extremely effective in reducing inflammation and protecting against free radicals. These free radicals can cause a large number of health conditions, which makes antioxidants valuable due to their ability to fight against them. Additionally, these benefits can help prevent and slow the progression of diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain lesions. Vitamin E can also assist by improving cognitive skills or preventing a decline in cognition. These advantages are incredible for your brain’s health.
Palm oil contains lots of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This incredible antioxidant and fat-soluble vitamin is excellent for improving vision and benefitting your retina health. The advantages range from preventing eye issues such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and dry eye. Additionally, vitamin A can boost your immune system as well, which prevents and combats illnesses.
Another interesting perk of palm oil consumption is that it can improve the appearance of skin and hair. This can be attributed to the presence of vitamin E in palm oil. The dermatological benefits can include:
It also helps with hair growth. Due to the tocotrienols present in palm oil, the number of hairs on the head can actually increase significantly with regular consumption. This is very beneficial for those experiencing hair loss.
For people who are pregnant, there are some important advantages of palm oil. Vitamin deficiencies can be detrimental to pregnant people and the children they are carrying. Fortunately, palm oil contains high amounts of vitamins A, D, and E, fortifying the body with the necessary nutrients. Vitamin A is especially crucial to fetal growth and maturation, ensuring the fetus develops properly while in utero. Studies have shown that pregnant individuals with a palm oil rich diet had higher levels of vitamin A, as well as lower instances of anemia.
Finally, palm oil contains a great amount of vitamin K. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that allows blood to clot and coagulate properly to hinder excessive bleeding and promote faster healing. It also aids in the production of healthy bone tissue, preventing issues such as fractures and low bone density. Studies have shown that diets high in vitamin K effectively decrease the risk of hip fractures. Because vitamin K isn’t typically found as a dietary supplement as many other vitamins are, it’s paramount to acquire this nutrient from foods.
With all the amazing benefits of palm oil, it’s impossible to ignore the positive impact of a diet supplemented by this sustainable crop. Interested in finding out about the people who are committed to improving practices within the palm oil supply chain and encouraging ethical practices? Discover Palm Done Right, an organization working to make palm oil harvesting and manufacturing better for our society and environment.
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