PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – Sterols are compounds present in various vegetable oils, including palm oil. Crude palm oil (CPO) contains several types of sterols, including β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. The concentration of sterols in CPO can vary, depending on factors such as the type of seeds, extraction methods, and environmental conditions in which palm oil is cultivated.
According to available data, β-sitosterol concentration in CPO could reach about 370 ppm (parts per million), campesterol about 151 ppm, and stigmasterol about 66 ppm. β-sitosterol is one kind of sterol which is abundant in palm oil.
As Palmoilmagazine.com quoted from Buku Fakta Kelapa Sawit, one famous advantage known from β-sitosterol is its potential to decrease cholesterol. Research by Bonnie & Choo (2000) showed β-sitosterol has hypocholesterolemic, which means, it can help reduce cholesterol in blood. High cholesterol in blood could increase cardiovascular disease risk, such as, heart attack, and stroke. That is why β-sitosterol in palm oil could deliver advantages to maintain the heart and blood vessel reman good.
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Though β-sitosterol in palm oil also delivers hypocholesterolemic effect, it is significant to remember that the advantages depend on general consumption in balanced diet. Consuming palm oil as part of diet which it is full of fiber, vegetable, and fruits, and low cholesterol could optimize health from β-sitosterol and other components in palm oil.
Besides β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol are kinds of sterol that can be found in palm oil. Though it is not fully understood what the two delivered to health, they have something to do with certain health issue. Campesterol, for instance, has effect to minimize cholesterol level which has the same function as β-sitosterol.
To maintain body health in a whole, it is important to notice balanced and kinds of good diet, consider sources of sterol which derive from natural food. Palm oil is one source of sterol that contribute to diet balance but it needs to consider total daily consumption.
The conclusion is that palm oil has kinds of sterol, including β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. β-sitosterol is palm oil has hypocholesterolemic potential and it can minimize cholesterol in blood. But it is important to notice balanced diet in a whole not only depends on one kind of food or oil to maintain body health. (T2)
