Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. It is an essential component of cooking in Nigeria. It has been used for centuries and can be found in a lot of food. Red palm oil is known for its distinct bright reddish-orange colour due to the presence of high B-carotene and it has a balance between savoury and earthy flavour which makes it a good base for most soups and stews.
In Nigeria, we use palm oil for almost everything. We use it to cook rice, beans, yam, soup, and stew. We even use it as a poison antidote. Well, palm oil is not a poison antidote, but due to the presence of various essential nutrients, it provides many health benefits. Consider the following:
Improves Immunity
Palm oil is a definite booster of overall body immunity. The high quantities of antioxidants in it protect the body against various infections and prevent the development of various chronic diseases. Vitamins A, E, D and K improve body metabolism and white blood cell functioning prevents infections.
Protects the Eyes
Palm oil help increase the amount of vitamin A you consume, which is a critical vitamin for your retinas and general eye health. It can help in absorbing fat-solubles more effectively. If a person has a condition that makes absorbing fat difficult, adding palm oil to your diet may significantly improve your levels of vitamin A. This vitamin is also critical to the health of your eyes. Basically, palm oil may help reduce your risk of vision problems. Palm oil is rich in vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant that can protect the eyes. These nutrients are essential for keeping eye health and avoiding serious eye disorders.
Good for the Heart
Some studies have shown that palm oil may help reduce risk factors for heart disease. Saturated fat can boost unhealthy cholesterol and raise the likelihood of heart disease. However, researchers have discovered that the balanced composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in it counteract the negative Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) effects with more amount of beneficial High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol produced in the body. Such a blend of essential lipids keeps the heart healthy and reduces the risk of developing stroke and cardiovascular disease.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are key to slowing the progression of heart disease. Besides including heart-healthy fats in your diet, getting enough exercise, eating plenty of anti-inflammatory foods and keeping your stress levels in check can also help reverse and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Boosts Brain Health
Palm oil is jam-packed with tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E that has potent antioxidant properties and can support healthy brain function. This can have far-reaching benefits and may aid in everything from slowing dementia to enhancing cognition. Besides palm oil, other brain foods that can help boost memory and focus include blueberries, broccoli, leafy green vegetables and salmon.
Skincare
Palm oil has been used for beauty treatments for thousands of years. It is also found in many products today, from soaps and shampoos to cosmetics and lotions. If you’re interested in natural skincare at home, you can apply it directly to your skin while doing a light massage. You can mix a little water to make the substances in it work optimally. Regularly massaging your body and face while applying red palm oil can also help lock in moisture.
Besides cooking, It is also beneficial for health improvement. It is good for the eyes, the heart, the brain and general health. It does not serve as medicine for these purposes, but consistent use can have a good outcome on our health.
