PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The age-old adage may persist over time, even as science advances, particularly in matters concerning health and nutrition. Rapid changes often cast doubt on traditional beliefs. Yet, debates surrounding palm oil continue, despite scientific evidence suggesting otherwise.
Recently, an article addressed concerns about the alleged dangers of palm oil, refuting claims lacking empirical evidence. Some protestors argue that palm oil is rich in cholesterol, raising concerns. However, research findings indicate that palmitate acid, a component of palm oil, does not significantly impact cholesterol levels.
Researchers like Dr. Elena Fattore and Dr. Roberto Fanelli from the Institut Penelitian Farmakologi Mario Negri in Milan, Italy, have concluded that palm oil is not linked to cholesterol levels, including the ratio of high-density lipoproteins to low-density lipoproteins (HDL/LDL).
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Furthermore, it’s important to note that palm oil is not solely composed of “highly saturated fat,” as often claimed. In reality, palm oil maintains a balanced ratio of saturated to unsaturated fats, approximately 50/50, which is preferable to alternatives with higher levels of saturated fats.
“The substitutions, for instance, butter and coconut oil have higher saturated fat, make unbalanced daily diet,” CEO of Labrador Health, Dr Jonathan Ellen as Palmoilmagazine.com quoted from financialexpress.
Jonathan Ellen also said it would be important to consider the impacts of trans fat in this context. In the old days, when coconut oil was a dangerous oil, food industries instantly substituted it by partial hydrogenated oil that produced much more dangerous trans – fat for man’s health.
“This showed that every decision in issue – base, not science – base, or knowledge, would seriously have the consequences for the health in the society,” he said.
The point from palm oil debates is that every people need a balancing approach. The negative campaigns about palm oil, which have no scientific facts, would be delivering the negative, including the use or application of more dangerous substitution.
“Rather than forbidding or limited particular products, it would be important to encourage to have balancing diet and education in fact – bases,” Dr Jonathan Ellen, the former chief of doctors and CEO Johns Hopkins Hospital, said. (T2)
