Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms. The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Some important physical properties of palm oil include solid fat content, viscosity, density, specific gravity, and refractive index.
Benefits
- Palm oil is used for preventing and treating vitamin A deficiency. Other uses include cancer and high blood pressure, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Palm oil contains saturated and unsaturated fats. Some types of palm oil contain vitamin E and beta-carotene. These types of palm oil might have antioxidant effects.
Uses
- As food, palm oil is used for frying. It is also an ingredient in many processed foods. Palm oil is also used for manufacturing cosmetics, soaps, toothpaste, wax, and ink.
Storage: Keep in a cool dry place, with no direct sunlight.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.
Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
