Is palm oil unhealthy? Opinions are divided on this question. The verdict ranges from "quite okay" to "catastrophic. We shed some light on what's really going on with the industry's most important cooking oil.
Palm oil is discredited for being harmful. For our health, the environment, the climate and social conditions in the producing countries. Yet it is the main cooking oil the world. It claims a proud 30% market share. And is present in half of all foods.
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What makes palm oil so special?
Can something that the industry values so highly really be "bad"?
What actually is palm oil?
The oil is extracted from the fruits of the oil palm. Per plant can be up to 6000 fruits grow. Harvesting is possible up to 15 times a year. The yield per hectare is almost 10 times higher than that of soybean plants. In a special process, the oil obtained is converted into refined Palm oil processed and then used for food.
The original oil tastes aromatic and slightly sweet. After processing, not only lacks the characteristic orange-red color. It is also almost tasteless. At room temperature it has a slightly creamy consistency. This makes it versatile in use.
Where is the oil grown?
Palm oil originally comes from Africa. Today it is mainly used in Indonesia and Malaysia cultivated. The areas under cultivation have multiplied in recent years. Today, almost 60 million tons of palm oil are produced. And the trend is rising!
Why is palm oil so popular?
The cultivation of oil palms is cheap and easy. The plants are frugal and profitable. The product is heat stable and long shelf life. This makes it the absolute favorite of the industry.
What is palm oil used for?
Palm oil is a bit like plastic - everywhere. Even in places where you wouldn't expect it.
Palm oil in food
In fact, half of all prepared foods contain palm oil. Anyone who has these foods stashed at home should take a look at the list of ingredients :) Palm oil is almost always found here:
- Margarine
- Spread
- Sausages
- Frozen pizza
- Bag soups
- Muesli
- Nibbles
- Cookies
- Chocolate
- Nut nougat cream
- Vegan substitutes
There are many reasons for the use of palm oil. On the one hand the Consistency unbeatable. It gives chocolate and nut-nougat creams the right firmness. It is the same with Margarine and Spreads. Since it is almost tasteless, it is used in a wide variety of areas.
Also, palm oil is used to promote fermentation processes of Bakery products to be reduced. This increases the durability of Cookies and snacks. In bagged soups, it ensures that the powder does not stick to the inside of the bag.
Palm oil - many times popular in the cosmetics industry
But it is not only well-known food manufacturers who like to use the inexpensive oil. Almost a quarter of palm oil production is used for cosmetics. You will find the raw material particularly frequently in these products:
- Soap
- Lotion
- Cream
- Shampoo
- Shower gel
- Mascara
- Eyeliner
- Lipstick
Here, too, there are different areas for application. Products with palm oil act refatting and reduce cell damage. In addition, the contained Coenzyme Q10 keep the skin firm and young. So they are very popular and, accordingly, in great demand.
Where we can still find palm oil
Even though most palm oil is used in food or cometics. There are other areas of application. For example, it plays a role in detergents and Cleaning agents a major role. Also it is in Feed for animals, bio-fuel, candles and medicines.
Is the consumption of palm oil unhealthy, immoral and unecological?
Actually, it is already clear - no one can avoid products containing palm oil. But is that really so bad? After all, it is a vegetable oil.
Is palm oil unhealthy?
The question of whether palm oil is unhealthy naturally arises above all in the case of Food. And anyone who reads what palm oil can lead to, probably instantly drops the spoon Peanut Butter fall out of the mouth. Because yes, this list is not without. Actually, there is nothing on it that you would like to have.
But right up front: it always depends on the quantities you scoop in. If you eat a healthy, balanced diet for the most part, you won't kill yourself with a spoonful of chocolate spread.
How bad is it really?
Is palm oil unhealthy? Yes, palm oil consists of 52% saturated fatty acids. Those who consume a lot of it in their diet, worsens his Blood lipid values. This in turn leads to calcification of the arteries. The worst effects are cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Also Diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels are the result.
In addition, you should take into account that the oil should not be used at above 200 degrees has been heated. Of course, this is always difficult to understand when the product stares at you so innocently from the shelf. Heating ensures that the bitter substances are removed from the oil. However, this step creates carcinogenic Fabrics.
In fact, palm oil is unhealthy or particularly harmful for the slim line. 100 grams contain incredible 900 calories! This leads in the worst case to Overweight, inertia and Obesity! So if you want a bikini figure, you should eat quite little palm oil.
Is palm oil unhealthy for our environment?
As demand for palm oil continues to rise, more and more plantations are needed. Making room for this must be the Rainforest. This is razed to the ground in slash-and-burn operations. At the same time, the habitat of many insects, reptiles and other species is destroyed. Even the orangutan is therefore Endangered by extinction.
But not only the animals suffer greatly. Through the burning of the forest Greenhouse gases released, which has a negative impact on our climate. On the palm oil plantations over 90% with Pesticides worked. These destroy the last Nutrients into the soil. And it would take several decades for healthy forest to grow back.
Due to the expansion of plantations, many peoples lose their homes. Also Land expropriatedin order to be able to use even more land. The working conditions on the plantations are poor. Child labor and catastrophic wages are "normal."
Is it possible without palm oil?
Now your hair is standing on end? You want to change something? Even if it's "only" for happy monkeys? Very good!
Feed without palm oil
Make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet. It is best to avoid convenience foods as much as possible. According to the German Nutrition Society 7-10% Food containing palm oil acceptable for your health.
Just pay attention to the list of ingredients when buying. Palm oil hides behind these designations:
- Palmitate
- Palmitic Acid
- Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
- Palmate
- Sodium Palm Kernelate
Those who care about the environment can also rely on the seal for biological and fair production pay attention. However, there are still no uniform and controlled guidelines here. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can find out about the origin of palm oil from environmental organizations.
Are there palm oil alternatives for the bathroom?
Certainly! We have already made a variety of products ourselves. In the process, we have also managed entirely without palm oil. How does that work? You can find out here: Make your own soaps: step by step skin care make yourself.
By the way, instead of lotion and creams you can just as well use Coconut oil* used. That is thereby also still very rich and nourishes the skin in a natural way. Also you can condition the hair with Lava clay* instead of conventional shampoo. You can see my experience for yourself here: Washing hair with lava clay - the miracle product in a self-test.
But there is one exception!
Virgin palm oil is untreated palm oil. It probably still has a pretty bad environmental footprint. For this it is Relatively healthy. Thus, it contains 15 times more carotene than carrots.
In the raw version it is even good for skin, hair, muscles, skin and our gums. It contains much Vitamin A, E and vitamin K. It protects our body cells from free radicals. And thus also against diseases such as cancer.
The unrefined, cold-pressed palm oil is best bought in organic quality. Then it is even suitable for frying, for Asian dishes or vegetarian dishes. It gives the dishes a appetizing color. And provides an additional exotic taste.
Our conclusion:
No one can make a general statement about whether palm oil is unhealthy. Those who reach for convenience products too often and thus consume a lot of palm oil, damages long term of its Health. However, a fresh and balanced diet is the undisputed ultimate for your health anyway.
If you care about our beautiful planet, you should avoid the use or consumption of palm oil as much as possible. waive. Because above all our climate, our environment and the animals suffer from overexploitation. Besides, there are great alternatives for the Beauty routinewhich you should definitely test out.
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