Food Uses and Controversy
One of the world's cheaper vegetable oils, palm oil is often used in cooking as a product low in trans fat. More refined palm oil does not have many of the healthy minerals found in red palm oil, including beta carotene, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Though palm oil has been compared to olive oil based on its high oleic acid content, the World Health Organization reports that palm oil consumption increases the risk of heart disease based on its density of saturated fatty acids.
Other Uses and Controversy
Southeast Asia was one of the primary producers and utilizers of palm oil in the early years of the 21st century. Scientists later began to criticize palm oil production for Asian deforestation and chemical fertilizer use. The emissions used to produce the oil, conservation and environmental groups say, have vastly increased carbon emissions and are responsible for actively promoting global climate change.
Palm Oil Blogs and Forums
New Scientist Environment Blog: The perils of palm oil
Chowhound: Forum: Palm Oil/ Palm Kernel Oil
TreeHugger: Palm Oil: A Rainforest in your Shopping
New Consumer: Body Shop unveils sustainable palm oil plans
Google Search: Palm Oil Food Blog
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References
Fast Facts
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A source of beta carotene and Vitamine E
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A source of antioxidants
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At first viewed as a viable alternative fule, palm oil production has led to wide deforestation in Southeast Asia
