Red oil: a health ally

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Extract from the article: Palm oil or red oil, « Zomi » in Ewe, is the most widely used vegetable oil in the world. Controversy surrounds the use of palm oil because of its high content of saturated fatty acids. The WHO, in a study entitled « The palm oil industry and non-com

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Palm oil or red oil, « Zomi » in Ewe, is the most widely used vegetable oil in the world. Controversy surrounds the use of palm oil because of its high content of saturated fatty acids. The WHO, in a study entitled « The palm oil industry and non-communicable diseases » in 2019, accused the palm oil lobby of employing the tactics of alcohol and tobacco firms to influence research into the health effects of its product. However, African populations and therapists maintain that this oil offers a number of health benefits, rather than harm.

To the question of whether we can do without palm oil?? Ama, 52, owner of a foufou bar in the Adidogomé district, smiles. The good lady is categorical: « Palm oil is a ‘complete’ food for your health.I've never fallen ill or had any health problems from eating this natural oil.Rumors have it that palm oil is not recommended. But I don't believe that. If we consume it sensibly, it boosts our immunity ».  In Togo, palm oil is often used in vegetable sauces (gboma, adémè, gombo, made from cassava leaves). It can also be eaten with a dish of yams. It is very effective for digestion.

According to a Togolese therapist, palm oil is quite simply a complete medicine. “We use palm oil with other products to treat hemorrhoids, when it's not external. It is also applied to the umbilical cord of newborns, as it helps to heal quickly. Palm oil also aids digestion,” he explains.

Sandrine Zerbo, Nutritionist-Dietician, revealed that « palm oil has an atypical nutritional profile. It is extremely rich in nutrients. It is a product with a high saturated fatty acid content. However, it should be noted that palm oil contains no trans-fatty acids, which is a health benefit. In fact, our mothers used it to relieve many illnesses, such as headaches, aches and pains, and atherosclerosis. Red oil promotes the utilization of nutrients, detoxifies the liver and improves immune function ». Just consume 1 to 2 tablespoons of red palm oil a day to benefit from all these properties.

A complete food

Palm oil is also rich in tocotrienols, a vitamin E that research shows to be effective in preventing cancer.Palm oil is considered the richest natural food in vitamin A.It contains around 15 times more vitamin A than a carrot.

Malaysian and Libyan researchers have studied tocotrienol (found in palm oil). According to them, it's a form of vitamin E that protects brain cells and prevents cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.Palm oil also contains a dozen good fatty acids.These include alpha linoleic, oleic, palmetoleic and arachidonic acids. There are also the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6.These essential fatty acids help combat the build-up of bad fats in the heart and blood vessels, as well as inflammation... « Mainly, they are involved in the quality of eyesight, memory improvement, hormone synthesis, proper functioning of the nervous system, normalization of blood pressure, proper functioning of the heart », explains Mathieu Tobossi, Specialist in Food Hygiene and Quality, who adds that these unsaturated fatty acids also help manage stress and increase immunity in the body.  Mathieu Tobossi also issues a warning to those who use chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow palm trees.Choose non-manufactured oil, extracted by hand. This artisanal oil is what is done in communities in Togo and in other African countries in general.

Abel OZIH