What Is Canola Oil Made Of And Is It Hazardous To Your Health?

Derived from a combination of two words, Canada (where it is essentially manufactured) and Oil, and initially meant to be marketed as Canada Oil, Low Acid, Canola has borne the brunt of many controversies over the past few years, thereby leading consumers into a conflict as to whether or not to opt for the product. However a lot of scientific research has been undertaken thereafter and popular opinion has pronounced Canola oil as a healthy option, equal if not better than your peanut, sunflower or other oils.

According to Wikipedia, Canola refers to a hybrid of Rapeseed or field mustard plant species, coined as the Canola plant. It was first introduced in the 80’s in Canada as an answer to the world’s growing demand for healthier oil. The oil is manufactured by pressing Canola seeds to produce edible quality oil suitable for consumption by humans and animals alike. The oil however is also used as biodiesel.

Canola oil is low in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, and contains omega-3 fatty acids known to benefit heart health. Many Clinical studies conducted over the past years have deduced that Canola oil may also help in lowering blood cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Initially developed using traditional plant breeding techniques, the oil is now produced using biotechnology, fuelling further debates on genetic engineering and its benefits. Its derivation from the rape seed plant also sparked a debate on the edible nature of the oil, for rape seed oil is believed to be poisonous by nature. Many claimed Canola oil was as poisonous and toxic as the rape seed plant.

Raising further debates, was the fact that Canola oil also contains compounds called Isothiocyanates (which bear semblance to the poisonous substance cyanide), which are naturally found in many foods including cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, Brussels’ sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and turnips. However the truth remains that the oil is safe for human use and after the genetic modification, the rape seed plant’s toxic chemicals such as Eruric Acid have been effectively removed from the finished product.

Most research point to the fact that Canola oil has beneficial effects on your blood. It is a good source of alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid not naturally produced by our bodies. The shelf life of Canola oil, when stored at room temperature is one year, making it very comparable to the other vegetable oils.

Some Documented Benefits Of Canola Oil:

1. Contains good fats
2. Does not carry or transfer food flavours even when reused
3. Can be heated at a higher temperature without it smoking
4. Stays clear and flows freely even after refrigeration
5. Blends well with other ingredients

Canola oil is also believed to reduce and help control blood sugar levels, a much-needed relief for diabetics. Along with the health benefits it has on offer added to the bonus of being a safe cooking oil, Canola oil the choice for any practical homemaker.

So if you are looking for a healthier option for your cooking, take a minute to note down and compare the health benefits of using Canola oil, vis-à-via any other cooking oil. As with any new introduction and invention, debates are many and continuous. However we suggest you make an informed decision for the health of your loved ones. Choose wisely, choose for yourself!

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