Palm oil has been under the spotlight in recent times due to the environmental impact of growing and harvesting palm plantations.

The oil itself comes from the fruit of the oil palms. Both the seeds and the flesh produce oil. Because each palm produces an abundance of oil is a very cost effective commodity. Because of this it is widely used in the processing of food, supplements cosmetics and detergents.

It is thought that up to 50% of supermarket products contain palm oil! Chocolate, potato chips, biscuits, cleaning products…the list goes on and on.

The environmental impact is widespread. Many animals have been displaced as a result of palm harvesting. It is suggested that the equivalent of up to 300 football fields of forest are cleared every hour to make room for palm plantations! This devastation is hard to even imagine.

There are said to be some positive benefits to consuming Palm oil however. Palm is also the highest yielding plant, providing more product per acre of land than any other. It is seen to be high in antioxidants, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Omega 3. But perhaps the devastating environmental impact outweighs any health-giving properties that may be experienced through the consumption of palm oil.