Red gold, commonly known as red oil has been in use for over 5000
years, both, for nutritional as well as medicinal purposes.
Particularly in Egypt, red palm oil was revered and considered a sacred
food. It is extracted from the fruit of oil palm that originated in
tropical Africa. Now, it is grown in other parts of the world too.
Though it has been in use for so many years, it is only now that doctors
and scientists have begun researching about the benefits of red palm
oil in our health and well being. It is rich in vitamins, antioxidants
and phytonutrients, which are essential for good health. It is dark red
colour, due to the presence of a compound called carotenes that also
give carrots and tomatoes their colour.
RED PALM OIL HEALTH BENEFITS
Find out how the regular consumption of palm oil in limited amounts, can help you in deriving maximum health benefits.
The
carotenes contained in red oil make it a powerful source of
antioxidants. These are converted into vitamin A by the body, a lack of
which causes blindness, weak bones, poor immunity, and even after normal
mental functions. Since carotenes require fat to be converted to
vitamin A, it serves as the perfect solution, and help those who consume
itl by preventing all the above mentioned problems.
Mothers who
are breast feeding may be able to enrich their milk with vitamin A which
is necessary for healthy growth and development children, upon
including red palm oil in their diet.
Apart from vitamin A, it is
also great source of vitamin E. Vitamin E contains tocotrienol, of four
types all which are found in red palm oil. These also give it
antioxidant properties that help in eliminating free radicals from the
body which are a cause for the development of several diseases including
cancer.
Unlike other cooking oil such as olive oil, that lose
their nutrients upon heating, red palm oil retains all of its nutrient
and is popular as cooking oil. In fact, in many government programs that
are undertaken to eliminate nutritional deficiencies, the food is
cooked in red oil. This gives the sufferer all the nutrients required by
their body.
Though it contains a high amount of saturated fat,
studies have shown that consumption of red palm oil in fact prevents
heart disease. This is possible as it has the ability to remove the
buildup of plague in the arteries, and thus even bring down cholesterol
levels. However, it has been advised to consult a doctor before you
begin the intake of red oil, if you are at the risk of heart disease.
Another
way in which it can protect the heart is by stabilizing blood pressure
levels. Due to its antioxidant, red palm oil also reduces the
possibility of inflammations of arteries. This helps in keeping the
blood pressure level under control. The regular consumption of red palm
oil has shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer. This because of
tocotrienols that contain anti-cancer properties, and help in preventing
skin pancreas, liver, lunch, colon, stomach and prostate cancer.
However, the best results have been experienced against breast cancer.
Other
problems that can be prevented by the use of this medicinal fruit
include macular degeneration, arthritis, cataract, osteoporosis, liver
disease, and asthma.
After learning about the benefits of
wonderful red palm oil ensure that you include it in your diet, and keep
fit and healthy in the long run. Remember to consume it in moderation,
as an excess of anything is never good. A tablespoon a day should keep
all your problems away.
