Edible oil has been part of human development for millennia, but none can offer the versatility that palm oil does. Harvested for more than 5,000 years in African countries and then adopted by Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, it has served as a driving force for the socio-economic development of producers and refiners. Its physical and chemical characteristics have made it the most widely used oil in the world. Palm oil is used in the production of food products such as pasta, chocolate, ice cream and dressings but also in products for personal hygiene such as soaps, shampoo and even in the production of biodiesel. Palm oil, besides being present in a balanced diet, is a fundamental part in the elaboration of products necessary for the daily development of humanity.
It helps in the kitchen and promotes good health
There has always been the misperception that consuming vegetable oil is harmful to health, however the reality is very different. One of the advantages of the use of palm oil in the elaboration of food products is that thanks to its solid fat content it offers a semi-solid consistency at temperatures of up to 35°C (95°F) which helps maintain the texture in the food without the need for hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is responsible for producing the much-feared trans fats responsible for increasing levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) that affect cardiovascular health. Another reason to include palm oil in our daily consumption is the fact that it promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, K) that play a fundamental role in maintaining our immune system healthy.
The best option for a developing world
Evolution is a natural part of our DNA and we are constantly seeking to obtain higher quality products while maintaining efficiency. Palm oil is the only vegetable oil capable of meeting the current demands of socio-economic development in the world without affecting the environment. A single oil palm tree is capable of producing 40 kilograms of palm oil per year. It would take 4 to 10 times more land to produce the same amount of other vegetable oils. Palm oil supplies 35% of the global demand for vegetable oil with only 10% of all land used for oil crops. Moreover, its production process is simple and economical, making it an accessible vegetable oil. Low production costs, versatility and a great variety of uses make it a fundamental vegetable oil in the development of the world.