Mothers who cannot breastfeed are forced to use adapted feeding. As a rule, manufacturers try to reproduce the content of human milk as much as possible, but it’s not an easy task to complete. Therefore, each brand is trying to create their recipe for a baby formula using those ingredients that they believe are best suited for reproducing the content of human milk. That’s the reason there are debates about the usage of some of them. In particular, there is a continuing debate about whether palm oil should be or not in infant milk, how justified it is in the composition of baby food, and whether it is safe for health.
Pros of Palm Oil in Baby Formula
Manufacturers of baby food claim that the closest to breast milk are such vegetable oils as palm, coconut, etc. The use of palm oil contains some vitamins and fatty acids that provide the maximum benefit of adapted feeding. The plant extract is produced in large quantities with the available pulp of oil palms, so it has a relatively low cost, which explains its popularity among producers of formula. In addition, the substance has a pleasant taste and palpable sweetness.
No less important property for manufacturers is the high resistance of palm oil to external factors as it does not spoil for a long time, and when added to the formula significantly extends its shelf life. This vegetable oil contains vitamins A and E, coenzymes, and palmitic acid. Palmitic acid is the most important because this substance is found in large quantities in breast milk, but in nature, the only source is palm oil. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential antioxidant that removes cholesterol and toxins from the body, while vitamins and fatty acids ensure normal growth.
Cons of Palm Oil
Despite all the apparent benefits, the presence of palm oil in the content has some disadvantages. Its melting point is very high which prevents the normal digestion of fat in the baby’s intestines. In addition to palmitic acid, palm oil contains other components that interfere with digestive processes and a kid may have constipation and colic. There is research showing the connection between palmitic acid and mineral balance which binds calcium and does not allow it to be absorbed in the intestines, deducing with feces.
The Bottom Line
The question of palm oil in the content of baby food is still controversial, even for experienced pediatricians. Some believe that the product is simply indispensable for replenishing baby food with fatty acids, while others say about the bone problems and intestinal diseases that can develop. In any case, if you need to feed a kid with formula, you should visit a pediatrician that is familiar with the peculiarities of the baby’s development thus advising on the ingredients that have to be in the composition of formula suitable for your little one. And after the consultation with a doctor, you may visit Organic’s Best website which contains the highest-quality organic formula both with the palm oil in it and without.
