Healthy At Home 3 MIN READ 1101 VIEWS July 14, 2023

Canola Oil: Does It Benefit Your Health?

Written By HealthKart
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Aarti Nehra

Canola oil, extracted from the crushed canola seeds, is highly rich in vitamin E, vitamin K, and healthier unsaturated fats. Other nutritional components of the oil include oleic acid, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), omega-3 fatty acids, sterols, etc. Besides having antioxidant and anti-ageing properties, it also contains anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. 

It is touted as an ideal choice for maintaining good health due to its notable nutritional value. Canola oil even helps in lowering blood pressure and acts as an antidepressant. Read here to know the manifold benefits of consuming canola oil. 

Benefits of Canola Oil

Besides knowing what is canola oil and its composition, you must be aware of the compelling benefits of the oil mentioned below. 

1. Controlling Central Obesity

Canola oil, being a cholesterol-free oil, helps in managing obesity. It contains mono-saturated fatty acids, which are seen to have a notable impact on the composition of the body, especially in people who are obese. It is seen to reduce abdominal fat. Hence, you can include canola oil in your diet. 

2. Helping Get Rid of Joint Stiffness

The oil has high percentages of mono-saturated and poly-saturated fats, which have the power to fight joint pain. These fats are regarded as healthy and help you get rid of joint stiffness and tenderness. Also, a great balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the oil aids in lowering arthritis pain and inflammation. 

3. Lowering Cholesterol

If you are wondering which oil is best for your health, then you can definitely consider canola oil. Notably, canola oil contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a ratio of 2:1, which helps in lowering the low-density lipoprotein, thereby reducing the overall cholesterol levels. Besides, the oil contains phytosterols, which lower the absorption of cholesterol in the body and help prevent heart-related issues. Additionally, canola oil helps in protecting the heart and boosting the cognitive capacity.

Do You Know? Canola seed and rapeseed are not the same. Their nutrient composition is different. Canola oil is a genetic modification of rapeseed oil. It is a low-erucic acid variant of rapeseed. 

4. Improving Hair Quality

One of the notable canola oil benefits is that it helps in improving the texture and quality of skin and hair. It acts like a great moisturiser and helps you get rid of frizzy, dry hair and split ends. Canola oil holds the potential to restore hair follicles, revitalise lacklustre hair, and improve blood circulation to the scalp. 

Canola oil contains 20% of linoleic acid and 60% of oleic acid. This helps in hydrating the scalp and promoting hair growth. The presence of sterol in the oil helps in reducing split ends. 

5. Enhancing Skin Texture

Even the presence of vitamin E and vitamin K in the oil has an anti-ageing effect. It also helps soften the skin and get rid of spots and blemishes. The presence of essential fatty acids improves dry skin. Furthermore, the oil has vitamin C in it, which improves skin’s texture. 

Dermatologists have seen that canola oil can improve collagen production. The presence of antioxidants prevents the skin from getting dull. Antibacterial properties of the oil prevent skin infections. Fatty acids in the oil soothe irritated and dry skin. Besides, it proves effective in treating inflammation and redness. It aids in strengthening nails as well. 

#Expert Tips You can mix canola oil with other essential oils like lavender and rosemary oils, to get rid of rough and flaky skin. You can also add a few drops of canola oil to your creams and lotions. 

Being a highly processed oil, canola oil can also be used for cooking purposes. You can switch from using olive oil to using canola oil. It has a neutral taste, a light texture, and a mild flavour. Hence, it does not overpower the taste of other ingredients and is extremely easy to digest.

Conclusion

Canola oil is an effective plant-based oil that comes with a plethora of benefits. Besides being popular as one of the healthiest cooking oils, it comes with many health and beauty advantages. It can improve the cardio-metabolic risk factors and is regarded as one of the best oils that promotes heart health.

All in all, canola oil stands out for its benefits, and you will find enough people sharing their experience of using it. However, it is important to consult an expert before you start using this product for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canola Oil

Canola oil offers several health benefits. Its consumption has been linked to improved heart health, as it can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in canola oil is beneficial for brain function, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall well-being. Additionally, the vitamin E content in canola oil provides antioxidant properties.

Canola oil is generally safe for consumption. However, some individuals may have allergies or sensitivities to canola oil, resulting in adverse reactions. It is always important to be aware of your personal dietary needs and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or specific health conditions.

Canola oil can be a healthy choice for cooking in India, just like in other parts of the world. The canola oil benefits, such as being low in saturated fat and rich in monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E, apply regardless of geographical location. However, individual dietary considerations, cultural preferences, and local availability should also be taken into account when making food choices.

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