Palm oil is the most used vegetable oil and can be found in a variety of products from snacks to household products and even cosmetics. Palm oil is processed by distillation from the palm kernel to produce the oily solution.
Differences Between Palm Oil dan Coconut Oil
Palm oil is different from coconut oil even though it looks similar. What are the differences? Here are some differences between palm oil and coconut oil.
- Content
The first difference is the content contained between palm oil and coconut oil. Palm oil contains 120 calories in 1 tbsp of oil. While coconut oil contains 117 calories 1 tbsp of oil. However, both have saturated fatty acid content which tends to be the same, which is 85%-90%.
- Flavor
The next difference is in the flavor. Palm oil does not produce any taste, while coconut oil tends to have a more savory taste. The smell produced by coconut oil when cooked is also more delicious, while palm oil does not produce any smell when it is cooked.
- Manufacturing process
Although they both look the same. However, the two processes are different. Palm oil is processed by refining palm kernels to produce an oil solution. While coconut oil is produced from coconut fruit which is distilled and then the oil is taken.
- Use in cooking
Palm oil has a high boiling point, so it is not easily damaged when used to process dishes that require high heat. Based on this, palm oil is suitable for shallow frying and deep frying techniques that require a lot of oil. Meanwhile, coconut oil is suitable for making dishes that do not require too much oil, such as cooking spices or dressings in salads.
Some of the differences above are the differences between palm oil and coconut oil.
Palm oil has many benefits. The benefits of palm oil are good for health. However, the use and consumption also need to be considered, because there are risks that can have an impact on the health of the body if the use and consumption are not proper. Some of the benefits of palm oil are:
- Heart health
Palm oil is said to have benefits for heart health. Palm oil is considered to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). As long as it’s not used excessively.
- Take care of eye health
Palm oil can maintain eye health. This is due to the beta carotene in palm oil. Beta carotene will act as an antioxidant. This will help prevent the entry of free radicals. So that damage to body cells, including cells in the eye can be prevented.
- Improve Skin and Hair Health
Palm oil can remove scars and fight acne. This is because palm oil is rich in vitamin E, a nutrient that plays an important role in skin health. The content of tocopherol and tocotrienols in palm oil is also believed to improve hair growth and health.
- Supports a healthy pregnancy
Vitamin deficiency is common in pregnant women. However, natural palm oil can retain vitamins in the body well. The content of vitamin A (especially beta carotene), D, E, and K is what can overcome vitamin deficiency in pregnant women and make a baby’s health better.
- Boost immunity
This is due to the content of vitamins A, D, and E. These vitamins play a very important role in increasing the immune system of the human body.
- Maintain brain health
Not only reduce the risk of dementia and stroke, but the tocotrienols contained in palm oil can also prevent the growth of brain tumors. A study revealed that palm oil contains tocotrienols, which is a type of vitamin E that plays an important role in maintaining brain health.
To get the benefits of palm oil, its consumption needs to be considered properly. Because excessive consumption will damage the benefits that can be taken from this palm oil.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, palm oil can also be used for various things.
- Cooking oil
The most common use of palm oil is to make cooking oil.
- Food product
Palm oil factory in Indonesia apart from producing palm oil as cooking oil, also produce food made from palm oil, such as margarine, chocolate, peanut butter, and creamer.
- Biodiesel
Palm oil can also be used as a biodiesel fuel mixture for the needs of motor vehicles.
- Cosmetics
Palm oil and its derivatives can produce cosmetic products that are free from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are harmful to human skin. One of the palm oil derivatives that can be developed into cosmetic formulations is Metallic Stearate.
- Lubricants and raw materials for the steel industry
Palm oil can also be a raw material for lubricating oil. Meanwhile, in the steel industry, palm oil is also used to coat steel and iron to make them more resistant to rust and corrosion.
Thus the discussion about the benefits and uses of palm oil.