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

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

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

Palmitic acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid.

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 ◳)

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 ◳)

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 That Contain Palmitic Acid (16:0) In Our Nutrition Tool

You can find regularly updated top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

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Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Palmitic Acid (16:0).