6 facts about the harm and benefits of rapeseed oil for humans
Rapeseed oil is a vegetable product obtained from rapeseed seeds. Until the 1960s, it was used only for industrial purposes. In the second half of the 20th century, after the breeding of rapeseed varieties with a low content of erucic acid harmful to humans, the oil began to be used in the food sector.
Rapeseed oil has a number of proven beneficial properties. It can reduce the risk of developing malignant neoplasms and diseases of the heart and blood vessels, improve the condition of the skin and organs of vision, and reduce the concentration of sugar in the blood.
But despite the obvious benefits, many scientists question the expediency of using such a product.
Content
Types of rapeseed oil
In the consumer market can be found two fundamentally different types of rapeseed oil:
- Culinary;
- Industrial.
Industrial oil is used in the automotive and chemical industries, occasionally in furniture and construction (as lubricants).
Culinary rapeseed oil is perfect for eating, as it has a rich biological potential.
The fundamental difference between edible and industrial oil is the difference in the content of erucic acid – 56-65% versus 0.2-2%. This chemical compound is toxic to the muscle tissues of the human body. Acid provokes the development of cardiovascular pathologies, atrophy of skeletal muscles and cirrhosis of the liver.
Edible oil is a product of industrial hybridization. It also has a second name – canola oil (in honor of the largest Canadian manufacturer).
Product Composition
Rapeseed oil does not contain proteins and carbohydrates, but is a supplier of valuable fats and vitamins for the human body.
The product has a high energy value (about 826 calories per 100 grams). The following substances are present in cooking oil:
| Name of the component | Specific gravity or percentage of daily requirement (in 100 grams of product) |
| fats | 14 grams |
| monounsaturated fats | 9 grams |
| polyunsaturated fats | 4 grams |
| Vitamin E | 16 % |
| Vitamin K | 8 % |
Rapeseed oil contains a small amount of saturated fats, but it is abundant in polyunsaturated fatty acids. In particular, it is rich in alpha-linoleic acid, which is incredibly useful for Heart health and the vascular bed.
Canola oil is close in composition to olive oil , considered the most beneficial for health.
How it is useful – 6 facts
The main theses on the benefits of edible rapeseed oil are discussed below (based on scientific sources of information).
1. Improves skin and eye health
Rapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant substance that improves metabolic processes at the level of the skin and organs of vision.
According to the information by German scientists, vitamin E moisturizes the skin, activates the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers, helps to smooth out fine wrinkles. That is why it is included in a number of modern creams and masks for body and face skin care.
American specialists celebrate high incidence of age-related degenerative eye diseases (e.g. macular degeneration) with low levels of vitamin E in the diet.
How claim Russian experts, the substance increases visual acuity (especially in the dark).
2. Reduces the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases
Rapeseed oil contains a lot of unsaturated fats, which are associated with a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
For example, the works of American specialists demonstrate that with frequent intake of oil, coronary heart disease is less common.
Scientists of the Sava University of Medical Sciences (Iran) identified the ability of rapeseed oil to reduce the level of total cholesterol, as well as its "harmful" fractions (LDL, TAG) in the blood.
As a result, against the background of normalization of lipid metabolism, the probability of deposition decreases atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arteries and as a result, the risk of developing pathologies such as chronic cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary heart disease decreases.
Rapeseed oil is recommended for men and women over 40-50 years of age in order to prevent or slow the progression of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
3. Reduces blood sugar levels
According to Swedish scientists, the use of rapeseed oil leads
to reduce fasting blood plasma glucose levels.
There has also been a decrease in the concentration of glycated hemoglobin, a marker of blood sugar in the last 2-3 months. Similar data show the works of scientists from Finland.
At the heart of the medicinal property lies the effect of rapeseed oil on insulin resistance is the main pathogenetic mechanism of the formation of type II diabetes mellitus.
The product increases the sensitivity of peripheral receptors on muscle and adipose tissues to insulin. As a result, the cells effectively absorb sugar from the blood.
It is recommended to use the oil for the purpose of prevention and therapy (in order to reduce the dose of medications taken) of type II diabetes mellitus.
4. Fighting cancer
The oil contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Their impact on health remains the subject of intense debate to this day.
Single studies indicate on the ability of omega-3 fats to activate carcinogenesis and accelerate the growth of malignant cells.
However, major reviews, for example, carried out at the University of East Anglia, not confirmed of this information.
It has been reliably established that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the likelihood of the appearance of any malignant cells in the body. A direct relationship was found between the abundance of these substances in the diet and the low incidence of tumors of the following organs ( 1 , 2 , 3 ):
- Mammary glands in women;
- Of the colon;
- Rectum;
- Prostate in men.
At the same time, canola oil surpasses corn and olive oil in its antitumor effect.
5. Safe during heat treatment
Rapeseed oil has high gorenje temperature – 204 degrees. This means that only when this indicator is reached, fats begin to break down, releasing toxic chemical compounds that increase the risk of developing tumors and chronic diseases.
High gorenje temperature is achieved by multi-stage processing of the product in order to remove erucic acid.
This oil can be used to cook food for children. The absence of burning even when frying makes it safe. gorenje
6. It is a universal product
Canola oil has a pleasant and mild taste and aroma. His it is possible
use for cooking any dishes.
The oil is suitable for dressing salads, making sauces, adding to the dough. The product can be used for frying, stewing, cooking and even deep-frying.
Why is it dangerous
Being the subject of controversy and discussion, rapeseed oil has contraindications and can cause significant harm to health. Let's consider the main harmful properties.
1. Genetically modified product
Almost all edible rapeseed oil is a genetically modified food product.
According to the staff of St. George's University, the change in rapeseed genes allows get a high-yielding crop that is resistant to pests and adverse climatic conditions.
On the one hand, this trend allows you to reduce the cost, on the other hand, it is associated with health risks.
Indian scientists emphasize that there are still concerns that genetically modified foods contribute to the development of allergic reactions and malignant tumors, cause resistance to antibacterial drugs.
However, none of the studies have been able to prove the harm or harmlessness of such products. This technology is new, therefore, requires long-term clinical trials.
2. High degree of processing
Culinary rapeseed oil is a "processed" industrial oil. For similar purposes , is used chemical solvent hexane.
The transformation of the oil leads to a significant loss of vitamin E, free poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids, which reduces the biological potential of the oil. An additional disadvantage is an increase in the proportion of omega–6 fatty polyunsaturated acids, which can activate chronic inflammation and increase the risk of developing malignant tumors.
Experts claim that such processed oil has an analogue – unrefined cold-pressed rapeseed oil. But it is almost impossible to find it on the shelves of grocery stores.
3. Causes side effects
The most common adverse reactions when using the product are:
- Dyspeptic disorders. The oil alters the functioning of the digestive system and, if consumed excessively, can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Strengthening the motility of the biliary tract. The oil increases the tone of the gallbladder, which can worsen the general condition of calculous cholecystitis or biliary dyskinesia of the hypermotor type.
- Allergic reactions. They are extremely rare and practically not described in the literature. They can manifest in both mild and severe forms: from urticaria to anaphylactic shock.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended not to use the oil during pregnancy. The effect on the fetus has not been studied in any of the known studies.
Conclusion
- Edible rapeseed oil is a genetically modified product obtained by multi–stage processing of an industrial analogue.
- It contains valuable fatty acids and vitamins, has positive effects in the human body: improves the condition of the skin and eyes, reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular and malignant diseases, reduces blood sugar levels.
- However, rapeseed oil is also a potentially harmful product. Modern science can neither prove nor disprove its harm to health.
- The product can be exposed to high temperatures (up to 204 degrees) – fry, cook, stew on it.
- Special care should be taken to include canola oil in the diet due to the risk of side effects.
