Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I'd consume palm oil like I would coconut oil: Without thinking twice. I recently saw a product containing palm olein: Is this the same as palm oil, and if not, how different is it and is it healthy?

flag	asked Apr 12 2012 at 21:47 findchris 63●5

Andrea Reina · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-13 04:56:59Z UTC

Via American Palm Oil Council -- FAQ

The resulting two components of the palm oil fractionation (see 'What is fractionation') is palm olein (liquid) and palm stearin (solid). The fatty acid composition of palm olein is approximately 45% saturated fat and 55% unsaturated fat. The main saturated fatty acids are 40% palmitic acid and 5% stearic acid. The unsaturated fatty acids are 43% oleic acid (monunsaturates) and 12% linoleic acid (polyunsaturates).

The fractionation process is benign, it just cools the oil to a specific temperature and then separated into solid and liquid fractions. 12% PUFA composition is moderately high, so not great as a cooking oil, though the natural vitamin E will offset that a little.

What is the difference between palm oil and palm olein?

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