Currently, the controversy over such a popular product as palm oil does not subside. Someone thinks that it is unacceptable for use not only by children, but also by adults. Others do not hesitate to eat products based on it. On store shelves, most infant formula contains palm oil. How justified is its use and is there food for children without this component?
Benefit
Palm oil is a product derived from the fruit of the oil palm. Its use in production accounts for almost a third of all vegetable oils. This is not surprising as it is very cheap and easy to transport. In addition, he has a number of other positive qualities.
- The highest resistance to oxidation among fellows. This means it can be used as a natural preservative.
- High content of vitamin E (approximately 15 mg per 100 g of product). This vitamin affects the strengthening of bones. Its deficiency can especially negatively affect the child's body and the body of an elderly person.
- Tocotrienol in palm oil helps to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system: it improves blood circulation, lowers cholesterol levels, and helps with high blood pressure.
- The same substance plays an important role in the prevention of cancer.
- This product is high in antioxidants. Their properties are to prevent the death of brain cells, that is, with regular use of palm oil in food, the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease is reduced.
- Increases the body's immunity with alpha-tocopherol, which is a component.
- Unlike other vegetable oils, palm oil lowers blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It promotes weight loss.
- A small amount of the product every day does not increase blood glucose levels, unlike, for example, butter, which means that eating is indicated for diabetics.
- Provitamin A is involved in the production of pigment in the retina and helps the functioning of the vision analyzer.
- Extends the shelf life of products due to its low oxidative capacity.
- Breast milk contains palmitic acid, but it can also be isolated from palm oil. This property makes it indispensable in the production of baby food.
In confirmation of the benefits of palm oil, it can be noted that mankind has been using it for more than 400 thousand years. During the excavation of Egyptian burials, containers were found in which this product was previously located.
Harm
It is worth noting that palm oil itself is no more harmful than butter, but with one "but": its oxide number should be no more than 0.5. But in Russia they use a product with the number 10. In the rest of the world, oil with this indicator is technical. This means that it is very harmful to use it in the preparation of food products, and even more so in infant formula.
- The main negative factor in eating palm oil is its high amount of fat. When a large amount of this product is consumed, plaque can form in the blood vessels, causing heart disease.
- There is a risk of cancer due to the abundant intake of the product in food.
- If the oil is not certified, it may contain substances such as arsenic, lead, and even mercury. Eating a “left” product can simply be hazardous to your health.
- Scientific works of scientists have demonstrated that palm olein reduces the absorption of calcium by the human body. In general, the harm from the oil of an exotic tree is similar to that of other vegetable oils in the case of poor-quality raw materials, insufficient processing and lack of compliance with special standards.
What blends are free of palm oil?
In baby food, palm oil of a deep purity is used: palm olein, which is present in breast milk, is isolated from it using various chemical reactions. However, many mothers still prefer to choose infant formula without this component. Fortunately, there are plenty of such breast milk substitutes in retail outlets.
In addition to the Similac brand, Nutrilon is a palm oil free blend. Nutrilon has firmly established its niche in the infant formula market thanks to its high quality, affordable price and wide assortment list.
- Premium PronutriPlus 1, 2, 3. A mixture with prebiotics for children up to one and a half years old.
- "Hypoallergenic" 1. For babies up to six months in order to prevent possible allergies.
- Premium Junior 3, 4 PronutriPlus. For children from one to two years of age with weakened immunity.
- Premium Pre PronutriPlus 0, 1. For children under six months old with low weight.
- "Amino acids". For children with allergies to soy and animal protein. Suitable from birth up to two years old.
- "Fermented milk" 1, 2. It is used by children from birth up to 12 months with problematic intestines.
- "Lactose-free". For children with lactose intolerance from birth to 2 years of age.
- Pepti Gastro. For children with intestinal problems. Take up to two years.
Nanny Goat Milk Blends are also palm oil free. They are maximally adapted to human breast milk and are of several types:
- "Classic"- 0-12 months;
- 1 "with prebiotics"- an initial mixture for babies up to 6 months;
- 2 "with prebiotics"- follow-up formula for children from 6 to 12 months;
- 3 - drink for babies from 12 months on the basis of goat milk.
Kabrita is a mixture from Holland, also produced with goat's milk. There is no palm oil in it. There are only three types of this food:
- 1 Gold- initial up to 6 months;
- 2 Gold- subsequent from 6 to 12 months;
- 3 Gold- baby milk based on goat milk for children over one year old.
Nestogen nutrition is also a popular concoction in this category. It happens of the following types:
- 1 (with Prebio prebiotics)- allows the formation of a healthy intestinal microflora and reduce colic, is used for children in the first 6 months of life;
- 2 - follow-up formula for children from 6 months to one year;
- 3 - replaces cow's milk for children from one year old in accordance with the recommendations of pediatricians;
- 4 - baby milk for babies over one and a half years old.
The Italian company Heinz also has an adapted breast milk substitute - Infanta 1 formula, which is used from birth. It has a soft structure and a pleasant scent. The problem is its rarity.
Palm oil was found in NAN blends, but not so long ago, manufacturers released an adapted high-class NAN 1 Premium blend without GMOs, made in Switzerland. Milk protein-based adaptation contains bifidobacteria, minerals, probiotics and a set of B vitamins that help prevent iron deficiency anemia. NAN also contains bacteria for excellent bowel function. The disadvantages of this product should be attributed to the not entirely pleasant taste, which sometimes causes the refusal of newborns from this mixture.
Nestle's Alfare blend has successfully proven itself to be a high quality hypoallergenic blend. Does not contain lactose and sucrose, includes anti-inflammatory fatty acids. Can be used from birth.
MAMEX plus is also an adaptation version of the infant breast milk substitute without palm oil. This product is recommended for babies from birth to one year old. The description states that this food prevents intestinal problems and regurgitation.
I would like to note that the mixtures under the brands Nutrilon, Heinz and Kabrita contain beta-palmitate in their composition. It seems that this is not palm oil, but a product of its processing. So you should carefully re-read the composition and analyze it before buying.
The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky
The famous pediatrician claims that modern formulas are adapted to breast milk and there is no need to fear harm from palm oil in the composition. Even if it is included in baby food, it is already processed and adapted to be eaten by infants. Modern technologies make it possible to isolate the essential olein from palm oil, which is naturally present in breast milk.
According to Dr. Komarovsky, it is much more harmful to feed babies in the old fashioned way with semolina or cow's milk in the absence of breastfeeding than to give milk formulas containing palm fats. And allergies and poor absorption of calcium can also be observed in babies who feed on mother's milk.
It is especially important for newborns to receive the maximum amount of nutrients and probiotics. At present, baby food can meet the needs of babies to the maximum, even with palm oil in the composition.
See the next video for what pediatricians think about palm oil in infant formula.
Palm oil is good or bad for your diet: a question that worries many mothers. Most consider it harmful. The leaders in consumption are the peoples of America and China. RF is in the 6th place in the rating table.
To understand what kind of substance it is, you need to consider its composition. It consists of the following components:
- acids: oleic and palmitic, related to fatty acids, they lower cholesterol levels and are involved in the formation of bone tissue;
- vitamins A, E: the first is necessary in the production of the visual segment of fiber, the second is a trace element that prevents oxidation. When compared with other oils, it turns out that 100 g of palm oil contains much more vitamins;
- triglycerides - elements that are quickly digested, and when they enter the liver, they become material for energy production;
- the composition contains magnesium and phosphorus, lecithin, squalene.
The consistency of the product depends on the ambient temperature... In thirty-degree heat, palm oil "freezes", that is, it hardens, becomes like margarine. That is why it can lie for up to a year, while its properties will not disappear.
How is palm oil made?
To get a ton of palm oil, you need 4 tons of oil palm fruit. In the wild, the tree grows in Africa, America, but only Malaysia and Indonesia have palm plantations. The ripe bunches (one bunch weighs up to 25 kg, and there are about 200 of them on the branches) are cut by pickers by hand and dumped along the edges of the road. From here, the fruits are sent to processing plants.
The processing process is divided into the following stages:
- in ovens of a round elongated shape, the fruits are poured over with dry hot steam;
- with the help of special machines, they are separated from the bunch;
- in the mixer, the bones are separated from the pulp;
- oil is squeezed out of the prepared raw material using a huge press;
- the mixture is heated and poured into a centrifuge to separate water and cake.
The resulting oil is considered technical.
To make it suitable for use in the food industry, further processing is necessary, which includes 5 stages:
It is believed that oil is obtained from the trunk of a palm tree. Such statements could arise from ignorance, because it is almost impossible to confuse the kernel of the fruit with the trunk. Hard kernels are also processed, but the substance is called palm kernel oil. Local residents do not think about what palm oil brings for them: benefit or harm.
Like several centuries ago, they receive the composition for their own consumption by hand:
The oil prepared in this way does not have a long shelf life.
Potential harm of the product to the body
Several incredible myths were born from the printed information:
The second aspect of the issue under discussion is the purpose and form of use of the investigated composition. Any product must be rectified, otherwise it is not allowed into production. Only refined and fractionated mixtures can be used by the food industry.
But despite all the statements, the disadvantages of palm oil can be highlighted:
- The spread contains a high concentration of fats, which have a negative effect on the heart.
- Linoleic acid, which lowers cholesterol saturation, is found in oil mixture in small amounts.
- Some part of the composition is not excreted from the body, but turns into toxins.
For adults
The main harm of the product for adults is that it has a high melting point. Once in the stomach, the composition softens and becomes similar to plasticine. In such a consistency, the gastrointestinal tract is unable to process it, so a fatty coating sticks to the gastric mucosa, making it difficult to work.
For babies
Palm oil is beneficial or harmful in the nutrition of a child's body. 
A fragile body cannot completely process the fatty composition and extract nutrients from it, so you should not look for infant formula containing palm oil, even in small quantities.
Contraindications to use
The named oil contains components that are contraindicated for people suffering from a number of diseases.
Fatty acids in its composition not only provoke, but also enhance the course of diseases:
In the presence of palm oil in the diet, the stomach is disrupted, the percentage of cholesterol in the blood rises, which is undoubted harm, not benefit.
Countries where the use of palm oil is prohibited
The list of countries that intend to ban the import of exotic goods is growing.
- The UK government is trying to ensure that only certified products come to warehouses, however, the population is demanding a complete exclusion of this product. Numerous actions and collection of signatures on petitions will force the government to take decisive measures.
- Italy's largest grocery supermarket chain has stopped selling products containing palm oil.
- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released the results of tests that have shown that palm pulp spread becomes carcinogenic at very high temperatures. A person does not use a spread heated to 200 degrees for food, but it is high temperatures that are needed in the production of a product.
- The US National Institutes of Health conducted a series of experiments, during which it was found that glycidol (an element released as a result of the processing of palm spread by the stomach) causes malignant tumors in laboratory rodents. The final conclusions have not been made, because the research process has not been completed, but the inhabitants of the country refuse this product.
- Residents of Russia demand to prohibit the sale of palm spread officially, because recently the rate of obese people has increased, among them a large percentage belongs to children.
The benefits of palm oil
Palm oil: benefit or harm in nutrition - advocates of exotic oil argue, putting forward their arguments:
- One cannot deny the positive effect of palm fats on the heart and blood vessels, therefore food products containing such components are included in the diet to prevent strokes and inflammatory processes. It is also noticed that in people blood pressure decreases, cardiac activity is activated.
- Due to vitamin A, intraocular pressure is normalized, blood circulation is improved. Medical experts advise the use of oil for people who develop eye diseases: glaucoma, cataracts, conjunctivitis.
- The effect of the product on the digestive system is invaluable: the integrity of the gastric mucosa is restored, bile is excreted, and fat does not accumulate in the liver.
- The oil is useful for colds complications and bronchial asthma.
- It is known to have a positive effect on the formation of teeth, tissue in bones, as well as on women's health.
Oil types
There are several types of palm oil available:
- Red oil, the most useful and valuable, is produced using a special technology that preserves the properties of useful substances. The bright color of the composition is given by carotene, an element that is also present in carrots and tomatoes. Experts distinguish this type of oil by its special smell and sweet taste.
- Refined palm oil- peeled.
- The next variation is technical, differs in acid-fat composition. It is much cheaper than other types and is used in perfumery. If you add such oil to food, then an irreversible process will occur: free radicals will accumulate in the body, provoking cancer and the formation of fatty deposits.
Products can be differentiated by quality, melting point and scope:
Pericarp oil
The indigenous people of Malaysia, Indonesia and Nigeria have passed down the secrets of palm oil extraction from the pericarp from generation to generation. Oil palms are trees with unisexual flowers, which give an ovary for the formation of future fruits - drupes, which resemble in size and shape the plum, which is familiar to Russian latitudes. 
The drupe is covered with the fibrous pulp of the pericarp. This pulp is very juicy and oil-rich. It is she, and not the hard core, that is used to produce palm oil, giving a yield of almost 70%. The harvested crop is not immediately used for processing. The fruits must lie down for 3 - 5 days for fermentation.
- the pulp is separated from the kernels;
- copra is sterilized within an hour;
- after cooling, the mass is pressed.
In the resulting liquid, the third part is palm oil. The mixture is heated again and passed through a centrifuge, where the oil is separated from the water.
Refined
Refined butter can be distinguished by its white or light shade, reminiscent of ghee. During processing, it loses its smell, but acquires higher quality indicators allowing the product to be used in the food industry. Much cheaper than other types of palm oil 
Interesting judgments are common among consumers unfamiliar with the manufacturing process. They believe that the processing removes beneficial substances from the oil, but this is not the case. Chemicals are added to the freshly squeezed mixture that contribute to the formation of a sludge, the main part of which is left by harmful components, impurities.
To get rid of the aftertaste, the composition is deodorized.
Palm kernel oil
Palm kernel oil is the second type of oil from the fruit of the oil palm, but it is produced from the seeds (kernels).
It has the following properties:
This variety is an excellent raw material for confectionery. At room temperature, the product does not melt, so the cream and glaze are thick and rich.
Red
The most natural of all varieties is red oil. The product is unique, because it is produced from the pure pulp of the palm fruit and retains most of the nutrients, therefore it is able to saturate the body with vitamins.
Red palm oil brings tremendous benefits to the body without any harm. In food, it is used raw as dressings for salads and other dishes.
The red color of the mixture is natural, this is exactly the shade of the pulp of exotic fruits.
The scope of application is extensive:
Why is palm oil added to infant formula?
Manufacturers are striving to ensure that the structure of infant formula corresponds to human milk in all respects. However, it has not yet been possible to create a unique formula that will exactly repeat the composition of mother's milk. But a child, starting from birth, cannot do without a set of vitamins, microelements, macronutrients, fats.
Fats from cow's milk are not suitable for these purposes, because they simply cannot be absorbed by a small organism. Vegetable fats are a great alternative, especially palm fats, because they are similar in quality to the fats found in breast milk.
How do manufacturers reduce the unwanted effects of palm oil?
For a long time, experts and technologists have conducted research on the components of infant formula. Solution: to reduce the number of components in order to reduce the risk of the possibility of undesirable consequences occurring is relevant.
As a result, the composition of the product has changed:
- The main ingredient is replaced with a liquid blend - palm olein, in which the percentage of saturated fatty acids is significantly reduced.
- In some mixtures - Nutrilak, Humana, NAS - the amount of fat and calcium is higher than in human milk. The added vitamin D contributes to the absorption of these elements.
- Formulas contain prebiotics to help prevent constipation in your baby.
On a jar of baby food, an inscription appeared among the components - "Modified palm oil". This is the new formula that protects the baby.
Palm-free blends (with examples from specific manufacturers)
Some parents, despite the extensive information about palm oil, prefer to feed the baby with products that contain it. 
Such mixtures can be found, but there are two points to consider:
- Baby food without palm oil is very expensive.
- Fats are represented by no less dubious components - soybean, rapeseed oils. Before buying a mixture, you need to be convinced that the named components are only beneficial.
The list of brands below will help parents choose porridge for their baby:
These mixtures are based on goat milk.
Casein blends
The difference between casein mixtures is that they are produced on dry cow's milk. They got their name from the name of the base protein - casein, which is in free form without whey. It turns out that in terms of protein composition such products as Similak (USA), Im-press (Germany) differ from mother's milk, in terms of carbohydrate and vitamin content they repeat it.
Whey Blends
Whey food contains substances that are extracted from the breakdown of whey protein. The value of such formulations is high.
There are several varieties:
Fermented milk mixtures
The main component of fermented milk mixtures are beneficial microorganisms that normalize the activity of the baby's stomach and improve its microflora. In composition, they are close to breast milk. They can be found by the abbreviation "KM", but not all of them can be given to a child every day. They are prophylactic, they are prescribed by a pediatrician.
What is Beta Palmitate?
The development of infant formula continues. As a result of recent developments, beta-palmitate was obtained, which immediately supplemented the number of ingredients in infant formula. The new element is palm oil, in which the place of palmitic acid is artificially changed. 
As a result of the displacement, it became possible:
- to bring the structure of nutritional mixtures closer to the structure of breast milk;
- the assimilation of fats and calcium improved, the work of the child's stomach changed, constipation disappeared.
Beta Palmitate Blends
Parents immediately appreciated the novelty and are now trying to purchase nutritional formula Haynes, Cabrita, Nutrilon, which contain beta-palmitate.
Komarovsky's opinion on palm oil
The pediatrician believes that palm oil is well absorbed by the children's digestive system.
The danger lies in the following:
- "Pros" or "cons" in baby food are associated with the manufacturing processes of palm oil. If an extract is used that has only palmitic acid and olein, then it does not harbor negative aspects.
- Calcium in mixtures is difficult to assimilate, so you need to give your child vitamins with calcium.
- Palm oil strengthens the baby's stool. Parents need to keep an eye on this.
The conclusions drawn by Dr. Komarovsky are very simple: parents need to purchase food for the baby, indicating that palm oil has been modified.
Pediatricians' opinion on palm oil in baby food
Among the opinions expressed by pediatricians on the issue of palm oil, what is beneficial or harmful in nutrition is different. Most pediatricians believe that a growing baby simply needs cereals containing palmitic acid, otherwise the baby will not receive the necessary minerals.
Palm oil video
Harm and benefits of palm oil:
Why palm oil is dangerous:
Many people think that there is definitely no palm oil in baby food. But one has only to look at the composition of the milk formula and you can be convinced of the opposite. Almost every can of dry powder contains this vegetable fat. Why is it added to a product for toddlers?
The main task of adapted infant formulas is to replace breast milk in all respects, if for some reason breastfeeding is impossible. But the creators and manufacturers of these powders have one problem that they have not been able to solve for several decades. No one has yet been able to accurately reproduce the composition of human breast milk. But for a baby it is so important to get all the necessary micro- and macroelements, vitamins and nutrients in sufficient quantity for the first months of life. This is especially true for fats.
Cow's milk fats are not suitable for a small, growing body. They just don't get absorbed. Vegetables are a great alternative. The composition of palm oil in baby food is more like the fat in breast milk. In addition, vegetable oils (not only palm trees, but also corn, coconut, sunflower) increase the shelf life of the product and are quite inexpensive. But is everything as simple as it seems? No. There are a number of problems that can discourage any parent from buying another jar of formula.
The harm of palm oil in baby food
Palm oil itself is not harmful to children and adults. It is not toxic and does not cause any negative changes in the body. The main drawback that doctors warn about is the failure to fulfill its function of supplying the baby's body with useful properties. The thing is that palmitic acid (necessary for assimilation) contained in this vegetable fat, entering the intestine, where it should be absorbed, interacts with calcium, and then is excreted naturally, or rather, together with. As a result, the baby does not receive the required amount of calcium and fats. This, in turn, is fraught with the following consequences:- fragile bones (problems with bone mineralization);
- stool problems (constipation);
- colic;
- frequent regurgitation.
Also, the full process of assimilation of palm oil is hampered by its melting point (it melts at a higher temperature than 36.6 ° C). The negative effects of consistently consuming palm oil are obvious.
Why is palm oil used in infant formula?
Despite everything, this component is still added to baby food. So what is palm oil in infant formula for?As mentioned above, the main purpose of formula is to replace breast milk. In order for the baby to receive everything he needs, they try to make the dry mixture more like his mother's milk.
Thus, the basis of any mixture is cow's, goat's or sheep's milk, devoid of all fats that can never be found in a woman's. Everything else the baby needs is added separately. Each vegetable oil has the necessary nutrients, and palm oil contains palmitic acid (1/4 of the fat in breast milk). This is the reason why the "palm" is added to the composition. Recently, manufacturers have been trying to reduce its content by replacing it with coconut, corn, soybean and sunflower oil.
The devil is not so terrible as he is painted. This old adage holds true for palm oil as well. There are a lot of all kinds of horror stories and stories, but it is worth considering that people have been eating this fat since ancient times (about 5000 years ago), since there was simply no alternative.
Whether palm oil is harmful to children or not, it is difficult to get a definite answer. Therefore, each parent decides for himself this issue independently. If breastfeeding is not possible, it is better to rely on store food rather than plain cow's milk.
The best food for a baby is breast milk. But it happens that a mother, for one reason or another, cannot breastfeed her baby. And here baby food manufacturers come to the aid of mommy.
Palm oil as part of infant formula most often causes negative. It is not believed to have very good health benefits. And if there is an alternative, it is better to buy a product without palm oil.
Palm oil properties
Palm oil is a translucent yellowish-reddish fat with a smell similar to margarine. Due to the property of being stored for a long time, this oil is widely used in the confectionery and bakery, dairy industry, cooking, fast food. It is also irreplaceable in the production of instant noodles.
Why is palm oil so popular? It is much cheaper than oils and fats of similar composition, and can be stored for a long time. Palm oil is convenient for the manufacturer because it is unpretentious, and for the consumer, because the favorite cookies or noodles are so cheap.
But nutritionists believe that the benefits are questionable. You will have to pay for it with your own health. Palm oil persists for a long time in the gastrointestinal tract, is slowly absorbed and excreted, thus slowing down the digestion process. High energy value is another palm oil property- causes obesity and even diabetes.
Why is palm oil added to the mixture?
We know that palm oil add part baby milk mixtures. But why?
Studies of the composition of breast milk have shown that in order to bring the mixture closer in composition to breast milk, a certain amount of vegetable oils must be introduced into it.
Palm oil injected in mixtures as a source of palmitic acid. This acid is also found in breast milk, which is the standard. Palm oil is not the only source of palmitic acid. It is also found in soybean, rapeseed, coconut, corn, sunflower oils. If they are included in the mixture, you can do without palm oil.
The combination of these oils can provide the right amount of palmitic acid for the baby, allowing the immature digestive tract to absorb it easily.
Why is palm oil harmful?
Palm oil has an adverse effect on the human body. It contains only 10 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is dominated by saturated acids, which cause colic and constipation in children. Thus, a mixture containing palm oil, according to some studies, can be a factor provoking denser stools, colic and uncomfortable digestion.
Getting into in large quantities into the intestines, palmitic acid, thickens the stool and prevents the absorption of calcium, forming insoluble compounds with it.
There is compelling scientific evidence why palm oil is bad for children.
Continuous intake of foods containing palm oil after 3-4 months leads to a decrease in bone mineral density by about 10 percent. In subsequent periods of age, the child has a risk of developing problems from the musculoskeletal system and injury to the bone tissue. If, during the period of growing up and active growth, a child receives a large amount of palm oil, this will aggravate the situation on the part of the skeletal system.
If the mother constantly feeds the child with palm oil products, there will be a risk of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract by preschool age. The likelihood of developing atherosclerosis increases, which has recently been increasingly common not only in adults, but also in children.
But while scientists are researching the dangers of palm oil and drawing conclusions, then, probably, to put an end to this issue and stop using it. Mothers froze in anticipation: whether or not to buy a mixture with palm oil. We found, what is harmful to palm oil in food and milk mixtures, in particular. Don't experiment with your child's health.
For infant formula - no palm oil!
When choosing an infant formula, you should pay attention to the composition. The label should indicate which vegetable oils are included. They must be deciphered. If not, look at the other jar.
This is very important given the hidden threat of palm oil exposure.
The purpose of infant formula is to meet the needs of a growing organism. Therefore, their composition is made as similar as possible to mother's milk. Choosing a mixture for a baby and not harming his health is not an easy task. A lot has been said about the dangers of palm oil. But almost all food for babies contains it. Palm oil is a natural plant component. In order to make an objective conclusion, you need to know about its effect on the human body.
Palm oil: harm and benefit for the baby
The source of this type of vegetable oil is the oil palm. The red consistency is rich in palmitic acid and carotenoids, as well as vitamins A and E. The composition with saturated fatty acids helps to extend the shelf life of a product containing palm oil.
The negative effects of palm oil in its assimilation by the body, which is 6% more than cow's milk.
The high content of fats and cholesterol causes irreparable harm to health. With daily consumption, there is a risk of developing heart and vascular diseases as well.
Babies need fatty acids and cholesterol in reasonable doses for the development of cell membranes and hormones.
On the negative side, palm oil reduces the absorption of calcium. In studies in which children of different ages participated, it was proved that eating food without oil promoted the absorption of calcium by 15-20% better. And children who consumed palm oil in mixtures, in addition to the lack of calcium in the body, were sick. The ingredient has a negative effect on the digestion process.
Children who received food with the addition of oil had rare and hard stools, as well as occasional regurgitation.
The reason is palmitic acid, which interacts with calcium in the intestine and forms insoluble compounds. A calcium salts are almost impossible to remove from the child's body.
Why is palm oil used in infant formula
Disadvantages of palm oil consumption by a child- fragile bones and teeth, obesity, cardiovascular problems and constipation. But almost all mix manufacturers use this product extensively. The reason is the intolerance of cow's milk in most babies. To avoid allergic reactions and digestive problems, animal fats are replaced with vegetable oils - soybean, corn, sunflower and palm oils. Palmitic acid is bad for a child's body. The content of the same acid in breast milk is absolutely harmless to the baby. It's all about the molecular structure. Human milk has a different molecular structure than vegetable fats. And the additional components of breast milk help to process acid faster and completely.
Important: Infant formula containing palm oil tastes good and is addictive. Your little one will give up healthy foods in favor of tasty and pleasant smelling food. Which is very beneficial for the company.
But the production technology does not stand still. By using special technologies, manufacturers minimize the harmful effects of palm oil.
There are such ways to reduce the harmful effect:
- Using the liquid consistency of palm oil - olein. Which contains a minimum of fat - 40%.
- Almost all formulas contain 1.5-2 times more calcium than breast milk.
- The product contains a complex of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D is found in all blends.
- Mixtures containing prebiotics eliminate the occurrence of constipation.
- The amount of fat is several times higher than in breast milk.
Innovative technologies have helped to create a substance as close as possible to mother's milk - beta palmitate... Palmitic acid has the same structure as breast milk and occupies a central position in the molecule. Such mixtures promote maximum absorption of calcium and do not cause constipation.
Good to know: You can also look at baby food without palm oil. They are called casein because of the composition. But this product is in many ways inferior to whey mixtures.
Since their composition is the least similar to breast milk, which negatively affects the development of the baby's body. Not getting enough fat, the baby does not gain weight well and lags slightly behind in physical development from peers.
Is it possible to replace the mixture with natural milk?
Some parents prefer natural milk, cow's or goat's. Which is not always correct. As artificial feeding, when the baby receives less than 50% of breast milk, experts recommend formula. Since baby food contains all the necessary components, as close as possible to mother's milk. Natural milk differs significantly from mother's milk in the amount of saturated and unsaturated fats. What is unacceptable for a growing baby's body.
For a baby from 6 months old, you can cook porridge based on cow's milk... In this case, whole milk is diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 3: 2.
The modern market offers an alternative - mixtures based on natural milk... The advantages are obvious:
- In addition to cow's milk, the baby receives all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
- A special protein processing technology eliminates an allergic reaction.
- Convenience and speed of preparation of a high-quality mixture.