Ingredients
Is palm oil bad for you?
In Moderation
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol when eaten in excess. It's fine in small amounts but worth limiting in ultra-processed foods.
The details
Palm oil is a vegetable oil used widely in processed foods because it's cheap, stable and semi-solid at room temperature. About half of its fat is saturated.
High saturated fat intake is linked to raised LDL ('bad') cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. The concern isn't a single serving but frequent intake from many processed foods at once.
There are also environmental and sustainability concerns around palm oil production. Choosing whole foods and oils higher in unsaturated fats (like olive or canola) is generally preferable.
Key points
- Roughly 50% saturated fat
- Excess saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol
- Common in ultra-processed foods
- Unsaturated oils are a healthier everyday choice