Health Benefits And Side Effects Of Canola Oil For Cooking

Canola oil is an ideal choice for your kitchen as it is healthy for your heart, good for your skin, aids in weight loss, etc.

Sushmita Sharma
Written by: Sushmita SharmaUpdated at: Feb 08, 2023 09:00 IST
Health Benefits And Side Effects Of Canola Oil For Cooking

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Everyone is concerned about their health choices, especially the cooking oil they use. Many switch to olive oil as it is considered healthy to use. But there is  an oil that holds higher nutritional value and is safe to use: canola oil. Canola oil is ideal for your kitchen as it is healthy for your heart, good for your skin, aids in weight loss, etc. It is made from crushed canola seeds and has the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. It is high in unsaturated fats that are beneficial that can improve your cardiovascular health. 

What Is Canola Oil

The seeds of the canola plant are crushed to make canola oil. It has zero trans fat, low saturated fats, and high omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid(ALA). It also contains a high concentration of phytosterols, which inhibit the body's absorption of cholesterol.

Health Benefits Of Using Canola Oil

Good For Heart

Canola oil is good for the health of your heart as it helps reduce the bad cholesterol levels in your body and may also prevent the risk of developing heart disease. It has no trans fat and contains the least amount of saturated fats compared to other cooking oils. 

Also Read: 6 Essential Oils That Can Cure Common Health Problems

Aids In Weight Loss

You can opt to use canola oil if your goal is to lose weight. It is low in saturated fats and is ideal for weight loss. 

It Is Versatile

Canola oil is neutral in taste and has a light texture that can be used in cooking any product. It is suitable for dressing your salads as it stays liquid in the refrigerator. It can be used for sauteing, frying, and baking.

Good For Skin

Canola oil is good for the skin as it is rich in vitamin E and vitamin K. It can help to fight skin problems such as acne, wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, etc. It contains essential fatty acids that can help to moisturise your skin. 

Also Read: Coconut Oil: Why This Is A Must Ingredient For Your Beauty Routine

Side Effects Of Canola Oil

Some of the side effects of using a canola oil are as follows:

  • It is rich in omega-6 fats that are also present in many foods. This can raise the levels of omega-6 fats in your body and lead to imbalance and cause inflammation and health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. 
  • The manufacturing of canola oil involves high heat and chemical exposure, which decreases its nutrient content.
  • It can increase inflammation and oxidative stress in your body. 

Takeaway

You can use canola oil externally apart from using it as a cooking oil. You can apply it to your skin to reduce skin problems like wrinkles and acne. However, depending on your use and health condition, it can have both beneficial and harmful effects. You should consult with your doctor if you are under medication or following a diet while making a switch to canola oil.

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