Palm fruit is one of the tropical fruits that is famous in the African continent for its diverse purposes and for its amazing health benefits. There are 2 kinds of oil gotten from this fruit. They include palm oil, which is extracted from the pulp of the oil palm fruit, and palm kernel oil, which is gotten from the kernel. Palm kernel oil is gotten from the kernel of the oil palm fruit, botanically known as Elaeis guineensis. It is one of the few highly saturated vegetable fats, and today you will be learning about it. [1]
Palm Kernel oil is very popular in Nigeria and is used for so many purposes. In Nigeria, it is known as Adin dudu by the Yorubas, Main Alaidi by the Hausa, and Nmanu Aki or Ude Aki by the Igbos.
Palm Kernel oil is either dark brown (black) or golden in colour. The extraction process determines the colour of the oil. When it’s extracted through the cold press method, it is golden, while the traditional heating method brings out a dark brown oil. However, you will mostly find the dark brown palm kernel oil in Nigeria.
Nutritional Value of Palm Kernel Oil
Palm kernel oil is high in saturated fats, even more, saturated than palm oil. It is high in lauric acid and does not contain cholesterol or trans fatty acids.Â
A 2009 study on the physio-chemical properties of palm kernel oil found out that it contained fat, crude protein, crude fibre, carbohydrates and myristic fatty acids. It also contains sodium, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium. [3]
Health Benefits of Palm Kernel Oil
Palm kernel oil is commonly used in commercial cooking, but it has so many other uses. Here are the health benefits of palm kernel oil.
1. Low on cholesterol
One of the important health benefits of palm kernel oil is the zero cholesterol that it posses. People with high cholesterol levels or heart disease can use it for cooking without worrying about their well being.
2. Rich in vitamins
Palm kernel is rich in all kinds of vitamins, which are essential for bodybuilding. Vitamin K, for example, helps build strong bones and act as a blood coagulant. Vitamin A also helps improve our vision.
3. Good for hair growth
Palm kernel oil has been known to improve hair growth when applied. It not only thickens the hair but also prevents hair loss. Palm kernel oil serves as good nourishment for the hair. It can be used to soothe the hair and scalp when used as a hot oil treatment. Rubbing it on the hair also enhances the softness and sheen of hair.
4. Improves skin quality
Other than the amazing anti-ageing benefits provided by the palm kernel oil, it also makes the skin naturally soft and glossy without it getting a greasy appearance. This is the reason the oil is a key ingredient in many soap bars and skin creams. It also provides relief to ragged cuticles and itchy skin.
You can Buy Palm Kernel Oil on Jumia
5. Contains vital nutrients
Palm kernel oil has been known to contain vital nutrients, which is essential for the proper development of the body. The presence of palmitic acid, considered as a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, makes it distinctive from other cooking oils.
Conclusion:
It may interest you to know that palm kernel also helps detoxifies the body and keeps the body active. Having considered the amazing benefits of palm kernel oil, it would be wise to include it in our diet.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.