Canola Oil: The Healthier Cooking Option

Canada oil or “canola” is one of the best oils for heart health. It comes from the seeds of the canola plant. Once harvested and crushed, the oil contained within the seed is extracted (the average canola seed contains about 45% oil). The leftover material, known as canola meal, is then used as a protein source for animal feed… a sustainable solution to minimize food waste!It has become apparent in the nutrition science community that the types of fat consumed in the diet are extremely important. Certain fats, such as omega-3 fats, are essential for good nutrition and must be consumed as part of a healthy diet. Canola oil is indeed the most heart-healthy oil found in the grocery store!It has the least saturated fat of any common cooking oil and contains no trans-fat. In fact, it has less than half of the saturated fat of olive and soybean oils.Over 40 peer-reviewed human studies have been conducted on the health benefits of canola oil without finding any detriment.It has been shown to decrease blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (i.e., the bad cholesterol) when substituted for saturated fats in clinical trials of both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular disease. Emerging data also suggest that replacing other oils with canola oil may help reduce belly fat.Because of its neutral flavor, high smoke point (468°F), and light texture, canola oil is one of the most versatile cooking oils. You can use it in a number of dishes and cooking methods, like baking or stir-frying.When you consider all of these positive factors, canola oil is at the top of the health list, and for good reason!Interested in hearing more about canola oil? Check out the COMIT Study at University of Manitoba (click here) and CanolaInfo.org (click here).