Although it is not widely used in our country, especially due to its connection to rapeseed, canola oil It enjoys a good reputation outside our borders. And it is an oil with a low in saturated fat and a high contribution of unsaturated fatsin addition to interesting content in vitamin E.

What is canola oil?

He canola oil It is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the crushed canola seedsa plant with yellow flowers belonging to the family Brassicaceaespecifically spices Brassica napus and Brassica rapa (Brassica campestris)which have been cultivated for at least 4,000 years in India, and currently in many other areas of the world, including Europe.

The canola oil extraction can be done by:

• cold pressed: in this method, which does not involve heatingthe cleaned canola seeds are pressed to extract the oil, which is usually called virgin oil or cold-pressed oil and is the most recommended.
• Hexane solvent extraction: Crushed canola seeds are slightly heated and then dissolved in a hexane solvent. The oil is then extracted from the dissolved mixture.

Properties of canola oil

Canola oil is characterized by having a low level of saturated fat (7% of total fat), the lowest among all commonly used oils.

On the other hand, it has a high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatsincluding 61% oleic acid, 21% linoleic acid and 11% alpha-linolenic acid (precursor to omega-3 fatty acids), as well as plant sterols and tocopherols, all of which have proven cardioprotective effects.

It has been shown that diets that include the consumption of canola oil reduce plasma cholesterol levels compared to those containing higher levels of saturated fat.

It also contains vitamin Ewith antioxidant properties, and vitamin Kimportant for blood clotting.

Is canola oil the same as rapeseed oil?

The names are sometimes used interchangeably, but canola oil and natural rapeseed (or rapeseed) oil are not the same, although they come from the same plant.

Canola oil is a modified and “improved” version of natural rapeseed oil.which is only produced for industrial use. He original rapeseed oilfrom the species Brassica napus, It has a high content of erucic acidan omega-9 fatty acid unhealthy for the heart and liver, and glucosinolateswhich can give rise to toxic compounds.

In 1976, Canadian scientists were able to improve the quality of previous rapeseed cultivars by crossing plants and in 1979 Canada registered the word “canola” (from Canadian Oil Low Acid) to describe a new seed with low in erucic acid and glucosinolateswhich is what is used to produce canola oil. Thus, rapeseed oil suitable for human consumption is known as canola oil.

The bad reputation of this type of oil in Spain It is due to the serious case of poisoning that in the spring of 1981 affected more than 20,000 people and caused many deaths. It was because it was sold for human consumption, and as if it were olive oil, denatured rapeseed oil, intended for industrial use.

How to take or use canola oil

Canola oil has a Mild flavor and a light nutty aroma and one good heat tolerance (high smoke point), which make it suitable for various culinary preparations: sautéing, frying, sautéing, roasting, baking… Although it can also be consumed raw.

However, it must be taken into account that It is not advisable to use it to fry more than once, because with very high, prolonged and repeated temperatures, high levels of trans fatty acids can be generated.

Contraindications of canola oil

Canola oil is generally considered safe for consumption, although it should be noted that it contains erucic acid, although in very low quantitieswhich as we mentioned before, has been linked to negative effects on heart and liver health.

On the other hand, and as with all foods, can cause allergies in some peoplealthough it is rare.