Is canola oil really bad for your health? Here's what the experts have to say

The importance of using good cooking oil cannot be stressed more. Not only is it important for how it makes the food taste, it is also a central cornerstone to maintaining a healthy diet. Nutritionists have already recommended sesame oil, olive oil and sunflower oil as valuable additions to our daily diet, but when it comes to canola oil, people have been receiving a lot of mixed signals from health authorities over the last couple of years.

People are still unsure about whether canola oil is good or bad for health, and if it has really been banned in countries in Europe. As reported by First for Women and Healthline, here is what the controversy related to canola oil is all about.

Is canola oil banned in Europe?

Quite simply, no, canola oil has not been banned in Europe, but there have been many rumours especially in social media that this oil was banned on account of being 'toxic' and 'carcinogenic.' These claims have actually never been fully and satisfactorily substantiated.

Canola oil or rapeseed oil is produced after breeding various species of rapeseed plant, and it was first produced in Canada, with the name 'Canola' being a trademark name of the Rapeseed Association of Canada. The name Canola stands for 'Can' from Canada and 'OLA' meaning 'Oil, low acid.'

Many people have cut off this oil from their diets due to concerns over its impact on the body, as well as the way that this oil is produced. The jury is still very divided with both pro and anti canola oil folks holding fast onto their beliefs.

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Concerns about canola oil

Heating methods are used during canola manufacturing, which has been found to impact polyunsaturated fats. The process of high-heat hydrogenation itself, has been argued to be bad for health, especially for increasing risk of heart ailments. As reported by First for Women, registered dietician Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, states,

This process creates trans fatty acids, unhealthy fats that can increase the risk of heart disease

It is also difficult to keep track of macros in case of canola oil, as the dietician explains,

Even though it’s an unsaturated fat, canola oil is still considered fat, so all calories listed will be from fat

Again, as per Healthline, aside from vitamins E and K, canola oil is devoid of other vitamins and minerals.

In short, canola oil is definitely not the healthiest oil out there in the market, although how harmful it could be for anyone, would depend on the specific health, lifestyle and needs of individuals.

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Sources used:

First for Women: 'The Rumor About Canola Oil Being Banned in Europe Has A Grain Of Truth'

Healthline: 'Is Canola Oil Healthy? All You Need to Know'

Green Matters: 'Is Canola Oil *Really* Banned in Europe? Behind the Rumors'