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Literature Review Special Issue Palm Oil in Health and Technology
Balancing risks and benefits: a review of palm oil consumption and cardiovascular health outcomes
Loso Judijanto
Received: January 20, 2026 | Published: February 17, 2026
Citation: Judijanto L. Balancing risks and benefits: a review of palm oil consumption and cardiovascular health outcomes. Open Access J Sci. 2026;9(1):46-56. DOI: 10.15406/oajs.2026.09.00287
Abstract
Palm oil is among the most widely consumed edible oils worldwide, yet its cardiovascular health implications remain highly debated due to its saturated fat content and diverse processing methods. This study aims to systematically evaluate the scientific evidence on the relationship between dietary palm oil consumption and cardiovascular health, with a focus on lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and population-level disease risk. This research adopts a qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, structured according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles were exclusively sourced from the ScienceDirect database, published between 2021 and 2025. A total of 29 studies were selected through a rigorous four-stage process: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. The collected data were analyzed thematically and interpreted comparatively to synthesize recurring patterns and divergences across studies. The findings reveal that the health outcomes of palm oil consumption are highly context-dependent. Moderate intake of unrefined red palm oil may confer neutral or even favorable effects on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers, largely attributed to its tocotrienol content. In contrast, excessive intake of refined palm oil is associated with increased LDL levels and pro-inflammatory activity. These outcomes vary based on dosage, oil processing, and dietary substitution patterns. In conclusion, palm oil’s cardiovascular impact is complex and multifaceted. Future research should employ standardized longitudinal designs to better elucidate longterm health effects within real-world dietary contexts.
Keywords: palm oil, cardiovascular health, lipid metabolism, inflammation, systematic review
©2026 Judijanto. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.