# Doctor Named the Main Myth About Palm Oil

Some people believe that palm oil increases the risk of heart disease and cancer, said dietitian Maryana Dzhutova. She assessed the truthfulness of these beliefs in a conversation with "Lenta.ru".

Dzhutova named the main myth about palm oil as the opinion that it provokes the development of cancer. "When palm oil is heated to very high temperatures, harmful compounds - glycidyl esters - can form. However, it is worth remembering: similar carcinogenic substances are released when frying practically any fat, including sunflower or butter," the doctor emphasized.

Also, according to her, the claim that palm oil is poison does not correspond to reality. This product contains no trans fats or cholesterol, but instead has many antioxidants and vitamins A and E, so in moderate amounts it is no more dangerous than other fats. The dietitian noted that some studies show that excess palm oil in the diet can raise levels of "bad" cholesterol. However, other works indicate a neutral or even favorable effect from consuming this product, especially if it is combined with other vegetable fats.