Although this oil is found in many
of your favorite foods, studies have shown that it may be harmful to your
heart.
High cholesterol could be one of your greatest enemies when it
comes to your heart. This is because high cholesterol levels cause fatty
deposits in your body, obstructing blood flow in your blood vessels. According
to the CDC, clogged arteries increase your risk of heart disease and stroke,
two of the most common causes of death in the United States.
This is a severe problem that isn't uncommon. Between 2015 and
2018, approximately 12% of Americans over the age of 20 had high
"bad" cholesterol (LDL) and low "good" cholesterol (HDL).
This could be due to various factors such as a poor diet, a lack of exercise,
or excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption.
While all of these factors can contribute to high cholesterol,
we're going to concentrate on one that you can change right now: your diet.
Changing the type of oil you cook with, for example, has been shown to help
manage cholesterol levels.
Palm oil, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, is one of the worst oils for your cholesterol levels due to its
high-fat content.
Why palm oil is bad for your cholesterol levels.
Palm oil consumption significantly increased LDL cholesterol
levels when compared to vegetable oils lower in saturated fat, according to a
study published in the Journal of Nutrition.
According to Harvard Health, saturated fats, such as those found
in palm oil, coconut oil, red meat, butter, and most ice creams, are harmful to
your overall health and should be consumed in moderation. Even though they
aren't as "bad" as trans fat, they have been shown to raise
cholesterol levels.
Oils to use instead
Palm oil can be replaced with unsaturated fat to help lower
cholesterol levels. Seed oils like sunflower, rapeseed, and flaxseed oil were
the best for lowering cholesterol levels in a 2018 study published in the
Journal of Lipid Research.
Other unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, were still effective,
but seed oils outperformed them. Saturated fats, such as butter, were also the
worst for lowering cholesterol in this study.
The takeaway
Choosing which oil you cook with or consume regularly can make a
significant difference in your heart health, whether you currently have high
cholesterol or have been told you're at risk.
If possible, replace rapeseed, sunflower, or olive oil with palm oil or butter when preparing your next meal at home.