Palm oil and health

Publication date: 19/03/2018
Extent: 14 pages

Contributions by: Jean-Michel Lecerf, Institut Pasteur de Lille, France

Chapter synopsis: Palm oil is often criticized for its supposed effects on human health, due to its high saturated fatty acid content. However, it is this high saturated fatty acid content (50%) which makes it a solid oil, and therefore a good technological alternative to partially hydrogenated trans fatty acids. Palm oil has therefore enabled a reduction in the intake of trans fatty acids. This chapter reviews the effects of palm oil consumption on human health, including its effects on cardiovascular risk markers such as fasting lipids and lipoproteins and post-prandial plasma lipids and lipoproteins. The evidence for a connection between cardio-vascular problems and consumption of saturated fatty acids more generally is also considered. We argue that there is a lack of good epidemiological data showing the adverse role of palm oil consumption in cardiovascular disease, and that there is a place for palm oil in a healthy, balanced diet.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0018.22