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Does Palm Oil Contain Cholesterol?

There is a vast array of health benefits to experience via the consumption of red palm oil. Its nutritional richness is attributed to the concentration of antioxidants (beta-carotene, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and vitamin E), along with its unique ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids.  

What is Red Palm Oil?

Palm oil is derived from the fruit grown from the oil palm tree, Elaeis guineensis. There are two types of oils that are derived from palm nut fruit which are palm oil and kernel oil.  Palm oil is harvested from the flesh of the palm nut fruit, whereas palm kernel oil comes from the kernel (the nut). Despite its nutritional value, red palm oil has earned a bad reputation over the years due to its high concentration of saturated fat (~50%). When analyzing the fatty acid composition of palm oil researchers have found palm oil actually contains less fatty acids than coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Several palm oil manufacturers continue to put “CHOLESTEROL FREE” on their palm oil labels. Which leads to the question, does palm oil contain cholesterol? Palm oil in its raw form contains zero cholesterol. However, it contains saturated fatty acids which like other fatty acids when consumed can transform into cholesterol in the body. Researchers have also found that while palm oil can increase concentrations of “bad” LDL cholesterol in the body, it can also increases concentrations of “good” HDL-cholesterol in the body.

How to select high quality palm oil

When selecting palm oil you should look for 3 main features. Ideally, your red palm oil should be:

  • Sustainably sourced
  • Organic
  • Raw
  • Produced using an expeller-press

Obiji Red Palm oil meets all 3 criteria. Obiji oil is sustainably and responsibly sourced in Nigeria. There has been debate surrounding palm oils imported from South East Asia. This controversy is primarily due deforestation and displacement of animals from their natural habitats as a result of industrial palm oil farming. When you buy Obiji palm oil you are supporting local farmers in Nigeria who do not participate in deforestation. Obiji palm oil is also produced by expeller press which is the best way to extract palm oil. Here are several ways you can enjoy palm oil.

  • Cooking delicious Nigerian dishes such as egusi soup, efo riro, beans porridge, Native jollof rice, ugba, nkwobi and more.
  • Applied topically for enhanced skin care.
  • It can be used as a moisturizer for vibrant, healthy hair.

There is a growing foundation of scientific research that demonstrates the expanding list of health benefits associated with the consumption of red palm oil. Count on OsiAfrik to provide the highest quality products to help you take the initiative in improving your physical health by incorporating palm oil into more than one facet of your life.


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