is palmolein oil good for health - #23591

When considering an oil like palmolein, it’s important to understand its properties and how it fits into a balanced diet, especially from an ayurvedic perspective. Palmolein oil, derived from palm oil, is highly refined and often attracts diverse opinions. While some appreciate its neutral flavor and high smoke point for frying, others raise concerns about its potential health impacts. So, it's essential to look at both sides of the coin— understanding how it aligns with ayurvedic concepts like doshas and agni is helpful. From what you described, feeling sluggish and bloated after consuming food cooked in palmolein may suggest it's not aligning well with your current state of health or dosha balance. In Ayurveda, such symptoms often point to sluggish digestion or weakened agni (digestive fire). It’s possible that palmolein oil might be too heavy (guru) for your body, especially if consumed in excessive amounts. Regarding your aunt’s situation, oils in moderation can indeed influence cholesterol levels, sometimes even positively, by providing essential fatty acids. Yet, it’s vital to focus on quality and quantity. Palmolein oil, while free of trans fats, is saturated fat-rich. This means, although it doesn't automatically raise cholesterol, excessive use can potentially affect your heart health—possibly impacting blood pressure in the long term as you mentioned you read. For daily cooking, moderation is the key. Ayurvedically speaking, opting for oils like sesame or coconut oils generally promote balance across doshas, if your prakriti is more towards vata and kapha. Whereas, those who are predominantly pitta might benefit from cooling oils like olive oil or ghee. It’s advisable to rotate oils rather than sticking to one for all purposes, considering individual reactions and digestive capacity. If you're continued to feel imbalanced, a digestive-reset by prefering lighter, hotter, easily-digestible meals may help. Always remember to drink warm water, avoid overeating, and include spices like turmeric or cumin to kindle your agni. Collectively, it's vital to choose oils, not just on basis of health claims, but according to your unique constitution and current dietary habits. If doubts persist, consulting an ayurvedic practitioner directly for personalized advice would be ideal.