A couple of weeks back, I attended a Zoom session conducted by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) that talked about the health benefits of Palm oil. When I mentioned that to my friends and family, they were like, what health benefits? Everyone knows there are no health benefits to palm oil.
But I was skeptical. Just a few years ago, coconut oil was a big villain in the healthcare industry. Now, everyone is touting the benefits of it. Could this be the same case with palm oil?
Turns out, pretty much so.
Dr. Bhawna Shah spent a couple of hours with us, patiently answering all queries and explaining the science behind palm oil. She is a Country Representative for India & Sri Lanka – Malaysian Palm Oil Council, which comes under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia.
Why do I need to be aware about palm oil?
In India, we normally don’t use palm oil for cooking. Depending on where we live, we use coconut oil, mustard oil, or the healthy option – sunflower oil. But palm oil is used in vegetable oil, shortening, and margarine. The very popular Nutella contains palm oil. So, you are probably consuming palm oil in some form, whether you are aware of it or not.
Where is palm oil grown?
Palm oil is primarily grown in Malaysia and Indonesia. However, there are some small cultivations of palm in India – mostly in the states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and the North East. However, limitations like fragmented land holdings, non-availability of good water supply at all places pose an impediment.
Why does palm oil get a bad rep?
Palm oil got a bad reputation because it’s high in saturated fat (like coconut oil), long linked to heart disease. Saturated fat boosts “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which are risk factors for heart disease.
However, now that we have learned about trans fats, we can consider palm oil alternatives. Besides, everything is in moderation.
But what about the environment?
In the past, palm oil has been a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, pygmy elephant, and Sumatran rhino. However, with increasing awareness, this is not the case.
The RoundTable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) focuses on improving sustainability and producing environmentally friendly oil. It has created a set of guidelines and standards that oil producers must adhere to.
Overall thoughts
Let’s not get with the demonization of palm oil. There are a lot of half-facts and untruths out there. Do your due research, and always remember if you consume it in moderation, you should be fine.
One of the most comprehensive resources on palm oil is the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) website. Do visit it to get a better understanding of palm oil.
