American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 53, 989S-1009S, Copyright © 1991 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
Introduction: nutritional aspects of palm oil
RC Cottrell
Leatherhead Food Research Association, Surrey, UK.
The production, composition, and food uses of palm oil are outlined in this
introduction to a detailed appraisal of the nutritional and health
implications of the use of palm oil in the food supply. The putative role
of dietary fats and oils in general, and of palm oil in particular, in the
etiology of coronary heart disease and cancer is critically assessed. It is
concluded that the evidence available is difficult to interpret
unambiguously. Some evidence to suggest that the minor components of palm
oil might have useful biological effects is also discussed.