15 Proven Red Palm Oil Benefits for Health

Updated on January 17th, 2020
Red Palm Oil Benefit for Health

Red palm oil benefits health in incredible ways. It is vested with a plethora of health benefits which are briefly described here.

What is Palm Oil?

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the fruits of the palm trees Elaeis guineensis native to western Africa. Now, cultivated across the world where the climate is humid, palm oil is increasing in popularity across the globe owing to its rich nutritional composition. In its natural state, palm oil is dark red in color because of its rich content of carotenoids that include alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene.

Palm Oil Uses

Palm oil is replete with health benefits(1). It boosts physical energy because of its high content of beta-carotene. Overall, it is highly beneficial for health. It maintains-

  • Hormonal balance
  • Improves vision
  • Preserves cardiovascular health
  • Reduces the risks of cancer

Palm Oil vs Coconut Oil

The primary difference between the two tropical oils lies in the source. While palm oil is derived from the fruits of palm trees, coconut oil is extracted from the flesh of coconuts. Palm oil is a rich source of vitamin E, whereas coconut oil is not. Both the oils contain a very small amount of micronutrients and almost the same amount of fatty acids.

Where to buy Palm oil?

Palm oil can be purchased online or from the local grocery stores or supermarkets. It is easily available in health food stores and natural food stores.

Palm Oil Nutrition Facts

Red palm oil is richly supplied with vitamin E and carotenoids. It consists of saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid and unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Palm oil is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients.

15 Incredible Ways in which Red Palm Oil Benefits Health

Research has revealed that red palm oil consists of 15 different types of carotenoids that make the oil astonishingly beneficial for health.

1. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Cardiac Health

Red Palm Oil Benefits for Cardiac Health

The healthy fatty acids of red palm oil help to regulate blood pressure, prevent the hardening of arteries and prevent the deposition of harmful plaque in the arteries.

The healthy fatty acids provide protection against atherosclerosis and help to maintain healthy cardiac rhythm. The alpha-linolenic acid protects the blood vessels against inflammation.

2. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Skin Cancer

Red palm oil is rich in antioxidants that destroy toxic free radicals, protect the skin from damage caused by the UV rays of the sun and oxidative stress, repair broken skin tissues and thus prevent the skin from getting afflicted by cancer.

The benefits of red palm oil for skin include prevention of skin cancer, protection against dry skin, premature aging, acne and other such skin issues. Smear the affected spot on the skin with a few drops of organic red palm oil and the skin cancer will heal quickly.

3. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Diabetes

Red Palm Oil Benefits for Diabetes

Organic red palm oil benefits diabetic patients by aiding to control the level of glucose in the blood. The oil helps to enhance the rate of metabolism of the body, thus converting the excess sugar ingested into energy. This naturally lowers blood sugar level and helps to protect the body from hyperglycemia or diabetes(2).

4. Health Benefits of Organic Red Palm Oil During Post-Pregnancy

Organic red palm oil is lactogenic in nature which aids in the secretion of milk post-pregnancy. Post-pregnancy many women are not able to secrete breast milk in sufficient quantity. This issue can be overcome with palm oil that is rich in vitamin A.

The vitamin A content of red palm oil enriches the breast milk and enhances its secretion.

5. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Arthritis

The essential and healthy fatty acid and potent antioxidant content of organic red palm oil benefits arthritis by lowering the pain and stiffness of joints felt in rheumatoid arthritis. It reduces the swelling, cures the inflammation and alleviates the pain quite effectively.

The essential fatty acids contained in red palm oil work upon osteoarthritis and soothe the stiffness of joints. Red palm oil serves as an effective ointment for rheumatism, shingles, sciatica, neuralgia, and neuritis because of its natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

[Also Read: Home Remedies for Arthritis]

6. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Hair

Red Palm Oil Benefits for Hair

Regular massage with organic red palm oil enriches the scalp with omega 3 fatty acids that keep it from going dry and flaky. The oil permeates deep into the scalp and nourishes it from within.

It is richly nutritious that helps to keep the scalp healthy and free of scalp diseases. The red palm oil induces the production of sebum in the scalp which moisturizes the hair, makes the roots and follicles strong and prevents the occurrence of dandruff.

Organic red palm oil is highly anti-inflammatory in nature and its powerful antioxidant content protects the hair and scalp from the disease Cicatricial alopecia which is a condition of permanent loss of hair in which the hair roots and follicles get severely and irreparably damaged thus preventing the growth of new and healthy hair.

7. Red Palm Oil Health Benefits for the Natural Treatment of Constipation

Red palm oil makes for an amazing antidote for constipation. It consists of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients. The mucilaginous nature of the oil helps in the formation of a smooth slimy film along the intestinal walls.

This smooth coat soothes the guttural lining and facilitates the movement and excretion of hardened feces with ease. Red palm oil is essential for the maintenance of a healthy colon and aids in the softening of hardened, constipated feces.

8. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Protection of the Brain

The antioxidants and tocopherol contained in red palm oil are highly significant for the preservation of the health of the brain. They are involved as a key component of the repairing processes that are linked with neural cells(3).

Regular consumption of organic red palm oil speeds up the process of regeneration of neurons and protects the health of the central nervous system. Palm oil can even lower the risk of occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

9. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Gastrointestinal Health

Red Palm Oil Benefits for Gastrointestinal Health

Red palm oil contains tocotrienols that get rid of unhealthy fats from the body and aid in healthy digestion. Organic red palm oil is rich in antioxidants can cure intestinal inflammation and thus ease the process of digestion.

The healthy fatty acids enhance the efficiency of nutrient uptake and cure the symptoms of indigestion like bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. It reduces the risks of gastric ulcer and colorectal cancer.

Red palm oil is immensely beneficial for healthy digestion and proper absorption of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Use of organic red palm oil as a cooking medium improves digestion, prevents flatulence, protects the body from acid reflux and nausea and helps in the smooth functioning of the liver.

10. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Hepatic Health

Organic red palm oil benefits the health of the liver. The liver disease called non-alcoholic fatty liver can be effectively cured and prevented with red palm oil. The essential fatty acids of red palm oil improve the liver’s sensitivity to insulin.

It reduces the liver index and controls the activities of enzymes in the liver. Use of organic red palm oil as a cooking medium improves digestion, prevents flatulence, protects the body from acid reflux and nausea and helps in the smooth functioning of the liver.

11. Red Palm Oil for the Prevention of Cancer

Red palm oil contains a powerhouse of antioxidants that fight against breast, colon and prostate cancer. Red palm oil contains tocopherol which checks the metastasis of cancerous cells and reduces the risk of tumors with its anti-carcinogenic nature.

It helps to cure the effect of chemotherapy and gets rid of the cells afflicted with cancer from the body.

Virgin red palm oil has a significant effect on cancerous cells and is highly anti-inflammatory in nature which prevents the multiplication of cancer cells in the body. It is especially effective in fighting against skin cancer.

12. Benefits of Red Palm Oil on Skin

The healthy fatty acids of organic red palm oil make it highly emollient and humectant in nature. Red palm oil moisturizes the deepest layers of the epidermis and keeps it naturally hydrated and nourished from within.

Dehydration causes the skin to blister and crack. These cracks, when left untreated, become incubators for bacteria. Red palm oil is the best natural remedy for the dry and chapped skin.

  • Smear your cracked heels with organic red palm oil to heal the cracks in no time.
  • Apply red palm oil to the rough patches, dry cuticles and on your hands to make them nourished and gentle.

13. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Muscle Cramps

Red Palm Oil Benefits for Muscle Cramps

Red palm oil benefits cramps and aches that result from overexertion of muscles and inflammation. Being anti-inflammatory in nature application of organic palm oil to the painful and aching muscles has proven to be highly effective in curing the swelling and the cramps.

Red palm oil is a natural analgesic that helps to alleviate the pain quickly and effectively.

14. Red Palm Oil Benefits to Reduce Oxidative Stress

An over-exposure to pollution, stress, unhealthy diet and pesticides leads to the formation of free radicals in the body. Over accumulation of free radicals results in cell damage, oxidative stress, inflammation and other chronic diseases.

Palm oil facilitates the production and functioning of antioxidants in the body that fight against these free radicals. A regular consumption of palm oil, when clubbed with a balanced diet, enhances the antioxidant-functioning which in-turn reduces oxidative stress.

15. Red Palm Oil Benefits for Scalp Psoriasis

Red Palm Oil Benefits for Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition in which is characterized by rapid cell growth. The skin cells begin to pile up and the surface of the body gets filled with skin eruptions and lesions. Psoriasis not only affects the body but it affects the scalp as well and causes rapid loss of hair. Psoriasis can be naturally cured with organic red palm oil.

The oil is rich with anti-neuralgic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibiotic properties.  Red palm oil benefits psoriasis extensively.

Gently massage the affected areas of your skin and scalp with red palm oil for the natural and effective treatment of psoriasis.

What are the side effects of Red Palm Oil?

Red palm oil is considered safe for consumption but is not utterly devoid of side effects.

  • Palm oil can give your skin a yellowish tinge which results from the excessive presence of carotenoids.
  • Palm oil is terribly high in calories. A tablespoon of red palm oil is of about 120 calories.
  • Palm oil is rich in palmitic acid which might trigger off a gain in body weight if consumed in large quantity.
  • Daily use of excessive amount of palm oil in cooking might cause obesity.
  • Increase in the consumption of palmitic acid lowers the rate of oxidation of fats in the body.
  • It also decreases the rate of metabolism and increases the body’s resistance to insulin and the risks of obesity.

Red palm oil is also high in fat content and as such is not suitable for individuals who are on a diet. There is a slim chance that consumption of palm oil might lead to an increase in cholesterol.

It is definitely true that organic red palm oil does not contain dietary cholesterol, yet excessive consumption of it can cause deposition of cholesterol in the blood vessels and lead to stiffening of arteries.

FAQs

1. Is Palm Oil Bad for You?

Response: Palm oil is highly beneficial for health. However, overconsumption may be bad for health. Daily use of excessive amount of palm oil in cooking might cause obesity.

2. What Is Palm Kernel Oil?

Response: Palm kernel oil is edible oil that is extracted from the kernel of the oil palm fruit that belongs to the tree Elaeis guineensis.

3. How to Store Red Palm Oil?

Response: Red palm oil is semi-solid at room temperature. Storing the oil in airtight containers in a refrigerator can extend the shelf life of the palm oil.

4. Is There Cholesterol in Palm Oil?

Response: There is only healthy cholesterol in palm oil.

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