Let’s Quash The Myths Of Palm Oil...

Now days I am more aware about my eating habits as I am making a transit to a healthy lifestyle. I am not just understanding what I am cooking and eating but where and how my food is grown. When I go grocery shopping I look for the labels and try to distinguish between organic, chemical free......etc.

Lastly I have been cautious about Palm Oil. Are you wondering what is palm oil ???. Then do check my detailed post on Uses and Benefits of Palm Oil. We need to know about it. I was so confused with the controversy about Palm oil. It is bad or good ? But now I am totally on the side of good when the myths were debunked by the industry expert Mrs. Bhavna Shah in the webcast organised by The Malaysian Palm Oil Council. She created awareness about Palm Oil by debunking some common myths. 

Myth 1: Palm oil is only produced on large-scale plantations.

Facts 1

Oil palm trees grow on both large-scale and small-scale plantations. About 40% of the palm oil production is undertaken by smallholders worldwide. Especially in Malaysia palm oil significantly contributes to poverty reduction and economic growth.

Myth 2: Palm oil is responsible for worldwide deforestation.

Facts 2

According to National Geographic, forests cover about 30% of our planet’s and deforestation can both be human and naturally driven. Livestock ranching, agriculture expansion, logging, paper production, mining, urban sprawl, wildfire and climate change are among the contributors. The global share of oil palm trees which caused deforestation as per the European Commission shows only 2.3%. 

Myth 3: Palm oil is only used in foods.

Facts 3 

The versatility of palm oil certainly goes beyond edible oil. It is used as a very important natural ingredient in almost all the inedible products such as lipstick, cosmetics, candles, soap, shampoo, detergent, biodiesel etc. 

Myth 4: Palm oil is bad for frying.

Fact 4

Palm oil boasts a high smoke point of 235°C, making it stable and suitable for frying or even baking. The balanced palm oil is also resistant to oxidation compared to high-polyunsaturated vegetable oils.

Myth 5: Palm oil is unhealthy

Facts 5

Palm oil provides a multitude of health benefits. It is a cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free vegetable oil with a composition of 50% saturated and 50% unsaturated fatty acids. Its naturally reddish-orange oil filled with high beta-carotene content  and natural dietary supply of vitamin A & E. This helps to prevent chronic diseases and supports brain health. 

It is very important to educate ourselves than to follow the myths. 

MPOC - Malaysian Palm Oil Council is basically an organisation which promotes the use of Palm Oil. For more details visit their website on https://www.mpoc.org.in

Uses and Benefits of Palm Oil

What is Palm Oil?

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp-reddish pulp of the fruit of the oil palms. It is an inexpensive and mass-produced oil that is known for its versatility. Palm oil is naturally reddish in color because of a high beta-carotene content. Humans used oil palms as far as 5,000 years back. It’s the miracle ingredient in everything from biscuits to shampoo.

Palm Oil helps in Food Security.

From every 100kg of palm fruits, 23 kg of oil is extracted,  due to this high yielding capacity of oil from the palm fruit makes it widely used oil for cooking in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Oil palm has ability to produce more food  using less land, in fewer pesticides, and less fertilizer.

Palm oil- land use efficiency.

The search done by United Nation says that the earth will house 9 billion people by 2050. To cover their needs it is estimated that 150 million additional tons of oils and fats will be required each year. To produce that, oil palm requires 38 million hectares of land whereas to make soy bean oil, one would require 375 million hectares of land.

Is Palms Success its greatest enemy?

Palm oil is cheaper than its competitors oil and its versatility makes it a top oil. Its human tendency that cheap means bad and costly means good.  But in this case it is vice versa. Other brands market their oil in a way that a common man feels that palm oil is cheap and bad, but palm oil is been used from over 5000 years has yet to prove everyday to the world that it is good and the best. Check below it’s uses and benefits.

Uses Of Palm Oil

• Food Products

Palm oil is used in almost each and every food Products we consume in our everyday life. Such as chocolates, biscuits, cakes, cookies, peanut butter, ice-cream and so on.....Palm Oil is the largest cooking oil consumed in India and globally. Ideal for cooking as it is stable at high temperatures. It gives the perfect flavour to the food. 

• Non-Food Products

Palm Oil is also found in Non-Food Products. Yes surprisingly in personal care products and cosmetics such as lipstick, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant. Also in household cleaning products such as laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and household detergents. Even in printing Ink, Paint, pesticides.

Benefits Of Palm Oil.

1. Reduces Cholesterol .

Palm Oil decreases the amount of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood and keeps the heart healthy strong.

2. Boosts Brain Health.

Palm Oil is packed with Vitamin E has antioxidant property which  supports the brain function.

3. Enhances Vitamin A.

Palm Oil is an excellent source of beta carotene which is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is an incredibly important nutrients to maintain the healthy vision. 

4. Reduces the Oxidative stress.

Palm oil has high antioxidants which reduces the oxidants stress.

5. Improves Skin and Hair Health.

Palm Oil is rich in Vitamin E which plays an important role in skin health. Palm Oil is commonly used for the hair growth as it has tocotrienol content. 

MPOC - Malaysian Palm Oil Council is basically an organisation which promotes the use of Palm Oil.

Please visit their website on https://www.mpoc.org.in