Canola oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the canola plant has been fairly recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Mayo clinic claims there has been misinformation reported about the use of canola oil in whether it is safe or not. Canola oil is produced through crossbreeding process with a rapeseed plant. Rapeseed is very high in erucic acid levels, which is known to be toxic in humans. Canola oil has a high portion of monosaturated fat as well as it being low in saturated fat in which reports say that it is a healthy and safe choice to use as a cooking oil.
But further studies disagree. A report by Harvard.edu states, “Most canola is chemically extracted using a solvent called hexane, and heat is often applied which can affect the stability of the oil’s molecules, turn it rancid, destroy the omega-3s in it, and can even create trans fats. “Cold-pressed” canola oil exists but is very expensive and hard to find. Steam is applied to deodorize the oil, which creates trans fats.
The report also states Canola oil is generally considered a “healthy” oil because it is very low in saturated fat (7%). Like olive oil it is high in monounsaturated fat (63%). Canola oil also contains a significant level of polyunsaturated omega-3 (ω-3) fat (9-11%), In addition, canola oil contains significant amounts of phytosterols (about 0.9% by weight) that reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the body.
During the process of transforming some of the natural unsaturated fatty acids to trans-fat during the deodorization step content of beneficial ω-3—fatty acids is reduced.
Heating bleached canola oil at 220 °C for ten hours reduces the content of linolenic acid by almost 20%. When canola oil used to fry French fries for seven hours per day for seven days at 185 °C (365 °F) the total trans-fatty acid content of the oil from 2.4% to 3.3% by weight of total fat. Source Harvard
It’s important to note that the Harvard reference states: “Olive oil produced according to existing standards is a blend of olive oils that are mechanically extracted without the use of solvents, while RBD oils are generally extracted with solvents.” Source Harvard
Olive is healthier than canola providing many disease-fighting antioxidants and is good for your heart. Their are dangers and side effects of consuming canola oil.
Other dangers of canola oil are-Source: PerfectKeto
- Increase inflammation
- Cause endothelial dysfunction (bad functioning of the lining of your blood vessels)
- Lower insulin sensitivity
- Increase the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes
- Induce body fat accumulation
