Benefits and side effects of Canola oil

Canola oil has been in the usage for many years like other edible oils. Their seeds come from Brassica napus, a canola plant. This plant is a type of rapeseed plant that comprises some compounds that are harmful to health. But the Canola plant has these in limited quantity and hence is used in the preparation of processed edible oil.

This highly processed oil requires synthetic antioxidants to prevent its quick rancid condition. After many steps of processing saturated canola oil is obtained. Read the article to know canola oil benefits and side effects if any to the consumer.

Nutritional values:

Canola oil contains more unsaturated fats. 15ml of canola oil comprises the following:

12% of Vitamin K
12% of Vitamin E

124 calories
7% saturated fats
64% Monounsaturated fats

28% polyunsaturated fats which comprise 21% omega-6 fatty acid, 11% alpha-linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid)

Some of the health benefits of Canola oil are as follows:

Good for Heart health:

A good ratio of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids is available in canola oil. The consumption of balanced fatty acids thru canola oil had shown a reduced heart disease risk and improved blood vessel condition. The presence of rich monounsaturated fat helps in controlling cholesterol levels and improves heart performance.

Improves lipid levels:

The fatty acids in canola oil support maintaining healthy triglyceride levels in the blood and boost cardiac health even more. While replacing high saturated fatty foods with canola oil foods you may experience reduced triglyceride levels and improved blood lipid profile.

Reduces Inflammation:

The available omega-3 fatty acids in this oil reduce inflammation of the body. Even people who suffer from diabetes, heart disease, and other autoinflammatory diseases may consume canola oil to reduce their inflammation levels. Generally, Alzheimer’s patients have DHA at low levels. The DHA is nothing but a main structural component of our brain cells. The low-level DHA causes diminished brain activities. While taking canola oil, they might experience improved brain cells through its omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fat.

Improves eye health:

The presence of omega3 and omega 6 fatty acids are the best nutrients for the eyes. With the only, the outer membrane of the eyes is made. Consuming canola oil helps in protecting your eyes against age-related macular degeneration. This condition seems the leading cause of blindness among adults.

Good for glowing skin:

This vitamin E-rich oil reduces ageing signs like wrinkles, fine lines, acne, and blemishes. Applying it on the face at night time does miracles. It softens and keeps your skin hydrated. It also acts as a natural moisturizer for dry skin. You can apply it after a warm shower. Since Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, it protects your skin from oxygen-free radicals. So, using canola oil helps in maintaining your skin super toned.

Maintain hair health:

Since canola oil is a natural moisturizer, it retains moisture in the hair. So, you can easily stay away from drying up which could cause frizzy hair. Add a few teaspoons of water to the canola oil, fill the solution in a spray bottle and apply to make your hair soft and silky.

To prevent hair fall, you can mix a few drops of canola oil with olive oil and almond oil in equal quantities and apply them to the scalp with some gentle massage. Keep it for twenty minutes. Then rinsing hair with warm water makes your hair strong and you may experience a gradual decrease in hair fall.

Dandruff can be well treated by mixing ten teaspoons of canola oil with three teaspoons of tea tree oil and applying the same on the scalp. Washing hair after a gentle massage will help you to stay away from dandruff completely. Your damaged hair is repaired naturally with the sterol in canola oil. The component softens split ends and prevents hair from sun damage and fizziness

Side effects of using Canola oil

Certainly, it brings many health benefits but at the same time, some canola oil side effects have also been experienced.

Inflammation issues

It has been found that products with high omega-6 content and low omega-3 content cause imbalances between free radicals causing oxidative stress. This oxidative stress causes inflammation. Still more studies are needed to explore these issues.

Blood thinner issues

Intake of omega-3 fatty acids-rich products like canola oil may prolong bleeding and increase the risk of bruising. If anyone is scheduled to undergo surgery is advised to avoid consuming canola oil or any foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least two weeks before the surgery. If you are taking any blood thinner medicines, better speak with your doctor about your canola oil consumption.

Issues with GMO

Canola oils are genetically engineered and thus are labeled as “Genetically modified organisms” and sold in the market. Such genetically engineered products have been approved for human consumption yet many criticize them for posing the potential to cause health risks. If you are strongly looking to avoid GMO issues, try to buy organic and non-GMO oil from the market which is truly a bit high in pricing. You can even go for cold-pressed canola oil which is the best for culinary purposes.

Presence of Erucic acid

The level of erucic acid is thought to be in low levels in canola oil which is an omega-9 fatty acid. This is said to pave the root for cardiac issues.

Summary

Canola oil is prepared synthetically from canola plant seeds and is widely used in cooking. Some studies have linked canola oil usage with improved heart and health conditions while some early studies indicate that the oil can cause inflammatory responses and can negatively impact heart health. Yet these are very early claims and require further scientific studies. Till then, remember to use oils in limited amounts as they are a rich source of fats.