Perhaps youve been food shopping in Paris or London (lucky you!)
and spotted a cooking oil called rapeseed oil.
But what exactly is rapeseed oil, and why dont we have it stateside?
Turns out, wedouse rapeseed oil in the U.S.it just goes by the namecanola oil.
What is rapeseed oil?
Despite its limited name recognition in North America, rapeseed oil is one of the oldest knownvegetable oils.
The plant grows primarily in Canada and western Europe and is identifiable by its bright yellow flowers.
Rapeseed oil comes in two distinct forms.
Industrial rapeseed oil, which isnt edible, is used for purposes like lubricating engines and making lipstick.
It contains high amounts oferucic acid1, a substance known to be toxic to humans.
In Europe, however, its retained its original moniker.
Summary
Is rapeseed oil the same as canola oil?
Yes, canola is simply another term for culinary rapeseed oil.
The nutritional value of rapeseed oil.
That said, theres some concern about the polyunsaturated fat ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s in rapeseed oil.
While it does include some omega-3, its much higher in omega-6 fatty acids.
The hefty dose of monounsaturated fats in each serving of rapeseed oil could do your heart some serious good.
It may promote hair and skin health.
Next up are rapeseed oils possible benefits for hair and skin.
The softening potential of rapeseed oil likely has to do with the oils vitamin E content.
It has advantages for cooking.
Besides these health perks, rapeseed oil has plenty of advantages for cooking.
Its high smoke point, versatility, neutral flavor, and affordability make it a go-to for many cooks.
It’s usually genetically modified.
Over 90% of canola crops8in the U.S. are genetically modified.
It may cause inflammation.
Some studies have linked an excess of omega-6 to omega-3 with anincreased risk of obesity11, for example.
This can also happen when certain oils are cooked atvery high temperatures13.
As the saying goes, where theres smoke, theres fire.
During prolonged or deep-frying, harmful compounds may form as [rapeseed] oil oxidizes.
This happens sooner in oils with high PUFA content, says Cording.
Then again, this doesnt mean that frying in rapeseed oil will make poison for dinner.
So, is rapeseed oil bad for you?
Rapeseed oil may not be a dietary angelbut is it bad enough to oust it from your pantry entirely?
Still, she recommends replacing rapeseed or canola oil with other, healthier options when you could.
However, olive oil far outshines rapeseed for itsantioxidant content15,heart-healthy fatty acid breakdown16, andanti-inflammatory properties17.
And while both are usually refined, sunflower oil is less likely to be genetically modified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is canola oil banned in Europe?
Theres a long-standing rumor that canola oil is banned in Europebut its simply not true.
The takeaway.
If you do use rapeseed oil, make it an occasional choice and consume it in moderation.
And for better liquid fats, dont miss ourdefinitive ranking of the eight healthiest cooking oils.
