Canola oil is emerging as one of the vital cooking oil obtained from a yellow flowering plant, canola.
It is rich in monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids responsible for its cardioprotective properties. Food and drug administration, U.S.A granted canola oil ‘generally recognized as safe’ status. [1] [2]
Key Health Benefits of Canola Oil
The key benefits of canola oil include modulating serum lipid markers. It may reduce body weight, improve glycemic control, and lower the risk of cancer. It may also inhibit platelet aggregation and modulate the inflammatory mediators.
1. Canola oil modulated serum lipid biomarkers in hypercholesterolaemic subjects
Several studies showed that canola oil reduced plasma cholesterol levels and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease.[3] [4] [5] [6]
In a randomized controlled study, 36 hypercholesterolaemic subjects who consumed canola oil showed reduced LDL cholesterol (7.4%), total cholesterol (3.5 %), and LDL: HDL ratio.[7]
Canola oil significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels compared to an olive oil-enriched diet.[8]
Canola oil blended with flaxseed oil produced the lipid-lowering effect.[9]
A randomized, double-blind study showed that high oleic acid canola oil with DHA increased HDL cholesterol and reduced triglyceride levels in volunteers with abdominal obesity.[10]
What it means: Canola oil consumption modulated cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolaemic and obese subjects. It reduced triglycerides, LDL: HDL ratio, and total cholesterol levels. Future studies will determine the efficacy of canola oil in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
2. Canola oil may reduce body weight
Some studies showed that diets enriched with canola oil might reduce body weight and hunger.
A systematic review showed that canola oil consumption reduced body weight, mainly in type II diabetes patients. It did not alter body fat markers.[11]
Fat emulsions consisting of 6g of 18:1 canola oil reduced hunger and increased fullness in healthy subjects after four days.[12]
Canola and canola oleic oil diets reduced central obesity and android fat mass in men.[13]
However, high oleic canola oil-enriched diets did not produce any significant changes in body composition in one study.[14]
What it means: Few studies showed that canola oil supplementation might reduce body weight and decrease hunger. The effect of canola oil in lowering body weight remains inconclusive. More well-designed studies are required to examine the properties of canola oil in controlling weight loss.
3. Canola oil may reduce the risk of cancer
Canola supplementation may reduce the risk of cancer by lowering DNA adducts and the growth of cancer.
Lipid peroxidation generates DNA adducts that may contribute to diet-related cancers.[15]
A study showed that cooking with canola oil had reduced the risk of developing breast cancer compared to cooking with vegetable or corn oil.[16]
DNA adduct levels of malonaldehyde were lower in rapeseed oil-based diet compared to sunflower based diet.[17]
Animal study canola oil diet reduced tumor volume, growth of cancer, and increased the rate of survival.[18] [19] [20]
What it means: Some studies showed that canola oil might reduce the risk of cancer. Animal studies showed it might reduce the growth and volume of the tumor. Additional research is required to study the anticancer effects of canola oil and provide a definitive answer.
4. Canola oil may lower glycemic load
Few studies indicated that canola oil might lower the glycemic load by reducing HbA1c.[21]
A randomized controlled trial showed that type II diabetic patients who were provided with canola oil-enriched diet showed reduced HbA1c units and improved glycemic control.[22]
Another study showed that canola oil reduced fasting blood glucose in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients.[23]
A study showed that a low-saturated-fat diet reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels. [24]
Canola oil contains a low level of saturated fat (7%); therefore, it may improve glycemic control.[25]
What it means: Canola based diets may have a role in modulating glucose levels and improving glycemic control in diabetic patients. Future studies are required to fill the gap between canola oil-enriched food and its effects on glycemic control, fasting blood glucose, and insulin sensitivity.
5. Canola oil may reduce platelet aggregation
Studies showed that canola oil might reduce platelet aggregation. Decreased platelet aggregation has been linked with a lower incidence of coronary heart disease mortality.[26]
A study showed consumption of canola oil for eight weeks influenced platelet function in males. It reduced platelet aggregation.[27]
The canola oil-based diet increased 6-keto prostaglandin 1α production that inhibited platelet aggregation.[28]
What it means: Some studies showed that a canola oil-based diet might reduce platelet aggregation and thereby, reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality. More studies are required to analyze the antithrombotic properties of canola oil.
6. Canola oil may modulate inflammatory markers
Canola oil may modulate inflammatory markers. In a randomized controlled study involving diabetic women, canola oil reduced C-reactive protein levels, which is a marker of inflammation.[29]
A study involving hypercholesterolemic subjects showed that canola oil supplementation did not alter inflammatory mediators.[30]
What it means: A study showed that canola oil might modulate inflammatory markers. But anti-inflammatory properties of canola oil are inconclusive and, therefore, warrants more studies.
Precautions
Possible Side effects of Canola Oil
Canola oil is possibly safe when taken in amounts used in food. There is no reliable information about its safety in medicinal amounts.
Safety Aspects of Canola Oil
There is no reliable information about the safety of canola oil as medicine in children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
Therefore, it is recommended to stick to food amounts during these times.
Drug Interactions of Canola Oil
There is no well-documented interaction of canola oil with other drugs.[31]
Dosage of Canola Oil
There is no adequate information about the recommended dose of canola oil.
About 19 g (1.5 tbsp) per day of canola oil may be used for reducing the risk of heart disease due to its unsaturated fat content.[32] [33]
Summary
Canola oil is one of the edible oil that has shown some potential health benefits. It may modulate cholesterol levels, improve glucose tolerance, and reduce cancer cell growth.
Human studies studying the health benefits of canola is limited.
Therefore, the current research will provide more evidence to support the beneficial effects of canola oil in the pathophysiology of diseases.