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A Wealth of Nutritional Facts About Palm Oil: Rich in Antioxidants and Health Benefits



Doc. InfoSAWIT
A Wealth of Nutritional Facts About Palm Oil: Rich in Antioxidants and Health Benefits

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Palm oil contains highly beneficial nutrients for the human body. According to data from the Palm Oil Fact Book published by the Indonesian Palm Oil Advocacy Team - Indonesian Palm Oil Council (TAMSI-DMSI) in 2010, along with InfoSAWIT, palm oil is noted to contain various nutrients that not only act as natural antioxidants but also help prevent various diseases.

Main Nutritional Components of Palm Oil

α-Carotene, with a concentration of 235 ppm, has benefits as a strong antioxidant, helping to reduce the risk of liver, lung, pancreas, and stomach cancer (Murakoshi, 1992), lowering the risk of atherosclerosis in arteries (Bonnie & Choo, 2000), with a recommended daily intake of more than 1.5 mg/day.

β-Carotene, with a concentration of 377 ppm, helps reduce atherosclerosis and the risk of heart disease, maintains eye health, with a recommended daily intake of 2.5–5.9 mg/day.

Vitamin E, with a concentration of 810 ppm, composed of α-tocopherol, α-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienol, helps reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, protects cell membranes from oxidative damage, boosts the immune system, and may prevent Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome, with a recommended daily intake of 15 mg/day.

Lycopene, with a concentration of 8.74 ppm, helps reduce the risk of lung, stomach, and prostate cancer, aids in preventing coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, and neurological diseases like Parkinson's, with a recommended daily intake of 3.7–16.15 mg/day.

Lutein, with a trace concentration, helps lower the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts and AMD (Age-related Macular Diseases), reduces the risk of epithelial cancer, with a recommended daily intake of 1.3–3 mg/day.

Sterols in CPO: β-sitosterol (370 ppm), campesterol (151 ppm), and stigmasterol (66 ppm), where β-sitosterol has hypocholesterolemic properties that can help lower cholesterol (Bonnie & Choo, 2000).

With nutritional components such as α-carotene, β-carotene, vitamin E, lycopene, lutein, and sterols, palm oil provides significant health benefits. Besides being an antioxidant, these nutrients help prevent serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and eye disorders. It is no wonder that palm oil is considered one of the leading commodities with high health value.

Through sustainable management, the potential of palm oil as a source of natural nutrition can be maximized to support global public health. (T2)


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