DUBAI, UAE – October 29, 2025 – For years, palm oil has been the silent victim of a global dietary fear campaign. Often labeled as ‘unhealthy,’ its presence in food products frequently triggers consumer suspicion. However, an Egyptian clinical nutritionist is urging the public to look past the myths and focus on the facts.

“As a nutritionist, I often hear patients say, ‘palm oil is not good for you,’ but the science suggests otherwise,” states Dr. Eman Gamal, an Egyptian Clinical Nutrition Specialist and Certified Health Coach. Dr. Gamal spends much of her time helping people navigate the raft of conflicting dietary advice, underscoring that the issue may not be the oil itself, but rather how we think about it and use it.

 A Replacement Born of Necessity: The Trans Fat Crisis

Palm oil’s current ubiquity stems from a critical turning point in food history. In the 1990s, the global food industry urgently needed a replacement for partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which were exposed as a hidden danger due to their trans fat content and risk to heart health.

As health authorities sounded the alarm on trans fats, food companies needed an oil that was safe, stable, versatile, and plant-based. Palm oil emerged as the leading solution, and Egypt, like much of the world, joined this shift, replacing synthetic fats with this naturally stable alternative.

Debunking the Health Myths with Science

One of the most persistent myths is that palm oil’s fat profile is uniquely detrimental. It is composed of roughly half saturated fatty acids, similar to those found in dairy and dark chocolate, and half monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, resembling those in olive and canola oils.

“Current research shows palm oil performs similarly to olive and canola oil in terms of cholesterol impact,” explains Dr. Gamal. “While it does contain saturated fat, eating it as part of a balanced diet doesn’t necessarily increase cardiovascular risk. Having said that, we must remember that each individual is unique, and the effects can vary depending on overall diet, lifestyle, amount consumed, and other health factors.”

Far from being “nutritionally empty,” palm oil contains valuable phytonutrients, including squalene, beta-carotene, and a rich supply of both forms of Vitamin E: tocopherols and tocotrienols. Its high level of tocotrienols is unique among common cooking fats, and studies are exploring their potential to support liver and cognitive health.

The Real Health Concern: Balance and Cooking Habits

Dr. Gamal argues that labeling palm oil as ‘bad’ creates food guilt which derails healthy eating. For Egyptians, the greater health concern is often how the oil is handled.

“It is overconsumption, poor cooking habits, and lack of balance which are the bigger issue,” Dr. Gamal asserts. Local studies indicate that the common practice among street vendors and small kitchens of repeatedly reusing frying oil can create harmful compounds, stressing the liver. “Fresh oil used properly is just a cooking medium, like any other fat,” she concludes.

The Sustainability Imperative: Land Efficiency

The discussion around palm oil extends beyond health to the environment. Egypt relies heavily on imports for edible oils (about 98%), with roughly 67% of those imports being palm-based. This dependence makes the source of the oil critical for both health and sustainability.

Palm oil is one of the most land-efficient oil crops in the world, producing nearly ten times more per hectare than olive oil. Researchers estimate that replacing palm oil with less efficient alternatives would require up to 148 million additional hectares of farmland, potentially leading to even greater deforestation.

The good news is that certification systems are driving change. For instance, Malaysia’s Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) scheme has certified nearly 90% of the country’s oil palm plantation area, setting standards to reduce forest loss and protect biodiversity. Earlier this month, the European Union recognized MSPO as a credible standard to facilitate compliance with its new deforestation regulation.

In a world full of dietary myths, the best choice is always an informed one. Palm oil, like many ingredients, can have a rightful place at the table when balance, science, and sustainability guide our decisions.