Palm oil is an edible oil that comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). Crude palm oil, or "red palm oil," is high in beta-carotene.
Palm oil contains saturated and unsaturated fats. Some types of palm oil contain vitamin E and beta-carotene. These types of palm oil might have antioxidant effects. Refined palm oil is made by bleaching, deodorizing, and neutralizing crude palm oil.
People use palm oil for preventing and treating vitamin A deficiency. It is also used for malaria, heart disease, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
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