Palm Oil – Why Should We Stop Using It.
Palm oil has been creating a lot of controversy. Environmentalists contend that farming palm trees is destroying our planet. Furthermore, doctors state that it increases high levels of bad LDL cholesterol on people who ingest it.
If you are serious about your health and wellness, you should learn about the type of oils you consume.
Why should we stop using products that contain palm oil?
1.- Is it bad for your health?
In effect, this oil has a high content of saturated fat, which can be harmful to cardiovascular health. It is this link to the risk of heart disease that has given it its bad reputation. According to Web MD, “A European safety agency has said that substances produced when palm oil is processed at high temperatures may cause cancer, based on animal studies…”
It would seem that there are better ways to find good cholesterol sources.
2.- It is bad for the environment.
Rain forests are being cleared in South America, Malaysia and Indonesia. They are giving way to palm plantations. Additionally to altering the ecosystem, they are reducing the land used by endangered wildlife such as the orangutan, elephant, rhino, tiger, and hundreds more. Hence, carbon pollution from the burning of the forests is released into the atmosphere.
Tropical forests have already been destroyed by as much as 8% between 1990 and 2008 and the trend continues.
Originating in Africa, these trees are easy to grow wherever there is plenty of sun, heat, and rainfall. Unfortunately, there is very little control despite the continuous complaining from people and organizations.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, areas equating to 300 football fields of rain forest are cleared every hour to make way for palm trees.
Furthermore, animals, like the orangutan could become extinct in as little as 5-10 years and for the Sumatran tiger it might be too late.
Industrial Uses of Palm Oil
Annually, 30% of the vegetable oil in the world is palm tree based. This oil is used to manufacture shampoos, washing detergents and is found in many baked goods. It is the industrial use that has countries allowing the development of plantations.
In effect, not only it has ruined valuable ecosystems, it also has lead to the use of child labor under extreme heat conditions.
Using Palm Oil will remain controversial. There are no simple answers, until a solution is found, people, animals and nature will pay the price.
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