Eat Me: Six reasons red palm oil is good for your health

Red palm oil is highly nutritious and naturally stacked with high amounts of saturated fat, vitamins, and antioxidants.

This vegetable oil, mainly used for cooking, is obtained from the pulp of the of the fruit of oil palms.

It gets its reddish colour from beta-carotene and lycopene, the same nutrients that give colour to carrots and tomatoes.

Its carotene level is 15 times higher than carrots and 300 times higher than tomatoes.

Below are 6 healthy reasons to use palm oil in your meals.

Prevents heart diseases

Palm oil contains tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E with strong antioxidant properties that relieve the heart of stress. It also improves blood circulation, regulates cholesterol levels, and lowers blood pressure.
Palm oil has a balanced content of HDL and LDL cholesterol, thereby making it safe for the heart.

Protects from brain damage

The tocotrienols found in palm oil also support brain health. Palm oil’s antioxidant supply helps to prevent neurological degeneration by stopping free radicals that damage brain and nerve tissues, promotes blood circulation which increases your protection against diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.

Replenishes lost energy

As a fat-rich oil, palm oil helps provide energy and enhance the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, and E.

Its beta-carotene content also improves energy level and boosts hormonal balance in the body.

Enhances better vision

The beta-carotene in palm oil helps to improve better vision. Many antioxidants can be found in palm oil. It is also very rich in vitamin A which is highly needed to prevent temporary or permanent sight loss and other eye diseases.

Prevents cancer

Red palm oil is rich in natural phytonutrients-tocotrienols and carotenes, which are powerful antioxidants that inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. It prevents various types of cancers including skin, lung and breast cancers, by getting rid of free radicals.

Boosts the immune system

Palm oil contains high levels of immune-strengthening squalene and glycolipids. It also contains a variety of antioxidants, including lycopene, carotenoids, tocotrienols, and tocopherols that boost the immune system and keeps diseases at bay.

Good for pregnant women

A deficiency of vitamins could be harmful to the pregnant women and their unborn babies. Palm oil has ample amount of vitamins K, D, A, and E which aid the growth of the unborn child and keeps the mother healthy.