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.
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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 đź——)
Palmitic acid (16:0) is the most common saturated fatty acid that can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. (source đź——)
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 đź——)
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
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If you are interested in what foods contain the most Palmitic Acid (16:0) we recommend you visit our tool.
Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Palmitic Acid (16:0).