What Is Palmitic Acid (16:0) & What Foods Can I Find It In?

Palmitic acid, 16:0, known as hexadecanoic acid.

It is a saturated long-chain fatty acid.

Because palmitic acid is inexpensive and adds texture to processed foods, it is widely used as a food additive.

Excess carbohydrates in the body can be converted to palmitic acid.

Palmitic Acid Is A Common Saturated Fatty Acid

Palmitic acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid. It’s the most common saturated fatty acid found in animals, plants, and microorganisms.

Therefore, it's the primary saturated fatty acid in most diets. (source ◳)

Palmitic acid (16:0) is the most common saturated fatty acid that can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. (source ◳)

When our body has an excess of carbohydrates, the carbohydrates are converted to palmitic acid and then stored as fat.

Naturally Found Palmitic Acid

Palmitic acid is found naturally in palm oil and palm kernel oil. But can also be found in butter, cheese, milk, and meat. (source ◳)

Palmitic oil is abundant in meat and meat products. It constitutes about 25% of the fatty acids of beef or pork fat, but only 6–10% of the fatty acids of sunflower, safflower, peanut, or soy oils. (source ◳)

Breast milk consists of 20–30% palmitic acid, making it a crucial nutrient for infants. (source ◳)

Uses Of Palmitic Acid

Palmitic acid is often used in cosmetics and skincare products.

Palmitic acid functions as an emollient, helping to protect the skin and a surfactant, moisturizer, emulsifier, helping to improve the texture of formulations.

Palmitic acid is used in the synthesis of many different types of products, such as lubricants, plasticizers, food ingredients, and many other products.

In foods, is palmitic acid, for instance, often used as an emulsifier in the preparation of mayonnaise and salad dressings.

Foods You Can Find Palmitic Acid (16:0) In

You find Palmitic Acid (16:0) mostly in fats and oil, pork, and dairy and egg products.

Examples of food sources include

• Palm Oil
• Shortening Frying
• Confectionery Shortening
• Menhaden Fish Oil
• Palm & Palm Kernel Oil
• Pork Leaf Fat
• Butter Oil

Foods in our nutrition tool

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