Top 10 Myth-Busting facts About Canola

Canola oil is one of the healthiest culinary oils in the world with zero trans fat and the
lowest amount of saturated fat of all common cooking oils. It has been rigorously tested
and approved by authoritative scientific bodies for human consumption. In fact, canola
oil is recognized as a heart-smart cooking oil by many health organizations1. The facts
about canola are set straight here, showcasing the oil’s health benefits and versatility as
well as the crop’s usefulness in animal and industrial applications.

1. Scientists agree, canola oil is healthy.
Clinical studies have been going on for
decades involving thousands of human
volunteers to examine canola oil and its
safe for humans per U.S., Canadian and
other government approvals, but studies
COMPARISON OF DIETARY FATS
used traditional plant breeding to eliminate
the undesirable components of rapeseed,
namely erucic acid and glucosinolates. Before
canola oil received “generally recognized as
safe” (GRAS) status from the FDA, as well as
being recognized as a desirable vegetable
oil by Health Canada, it had to go through
rigorous testing to ensure it was safe for
human consumption.

Canola oil 7 21 11 61 3. Canola was developed by

Sa er oil 8 14 1 77
Flaxseed oil 9 16 57 18 traditional plant breeding.
ower oil 12 71 1 16
Corn oil 13 57 1 29
Unwanted traits in rapeseed
SOURCE: POS PILOT PLANT CORPORATION

Olive oil 15 9 1 75 were bred out naturally to

Soybean oil 15 54 8 23
Peanut oil 19 33 * 48 produce canola in the late
Cottonseed oil 27
43
54
9 1
* 19
47
1950s and 1960s. In fact,
Lard
Palm oil 51 10 * 39 modern crop biotechnology
Butter, melted 68 31 28
Coconut oil 91 2 7
wasn’t even invented at that
SATURATED FAT POLYUNSATURATED FAT MONOUNSATURATED FAT
linoleic acid alpha-linolenic acid
(an omega-6 fatty acid) (an omega-3 fatty acid)
oleic acid
(an omega-9 fatty acid) of canola help to produce crops
*Trace Fatty acid content normalized to 100% that are resistant to drought,
pests, disease and other
Canola oil is free of trans fat and cholesterol, challenges that farmers face. Plant breeders
with the lowest amount of saturated fat are constantly making breakthroughs to aid
among common cooking oils, so trials have growers in getting the most out of their crop.
shown that it may favorably impact the body
when used instead of other fat sources. In 4. Canola belongs to the same family as

health claim2 from the U.S. Food and Drug Canola, along with cabbage, broccoli and
Administration (FDA) on its ability to help
reduce the risk of coronary heart disease when which is a part of the mustard family of
used in place of saturated fat in the diet. plants. Although members of this family
are occasionally mistaken for ingredients in
from rapeseed. mustard gas, they have nothing to do with it. canola oil. good for every body!™
Although they look similar, canola and Mustard gas got its name from its mustard- fyi@canolainfo.org
like odor. 1.866.479.0853

1 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, American Heart Association, American Dietetic Association, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation among others.
 Top 10 Myth-Busting Facts About Canola
5. Canola contains some of the same
compounds as broccoli and Brussels
sprouts.
Canola contains compounds called
isothiocyanates, which are found in
and Brussels sprouts. Although the name
of these compounds has sometimes
been incorrectly associated with cyanide,
isothiocyanates are not harmful to the
human body. In fact, some may even help
prevent certain types of cancer.
6. Canola is a highly valuable feed for
livestock.
Canola meal’s high protein content makes
it a useful and nutritious feed for cattle,
canola meal has been shown in several
studies to boost milk production compared
to other animal feeds. In 18 studies
done over the course of 24 years, results
found that using canola meal instead of
soybean or cottonseed meal increased milk
production by an average of 2.2 pounds
(1 liter) per day in each cow.
7. Canola oil is non-allergenic.
Food allergens are proteins that can cause
the body’s immune system to react in
susceptible individuals. Allergic responses
are abnormal ones by the immune system
canola oil does not contain proteins, it will
rarely, if ever, cause an allergic reaction.
8. Canola oil has a long shelf life.
Canola oil can be stored at room
temperature for about one year. This is
about the same shelf life as most other
vegetable oils. Store canola oil in a cool,
dark cupboard for optimal shelf life.
oils should be refrigerated to maintain
9. Canola oil is free of cholesterol and
trans fat and low in saturated fat.
Canola oil will not raise cholesterol in
the body; it is a heart-smart choice for
cooking. In fact, canola oil is high in
monounsaturated fat, which studies show
may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol
in the blood and control blood glucose.
Canola oil also contains an omega-3 fatty
acid that may help protect the heart and is
a good source of vitamin E.
10. Canola is used in lubricants, fuels,
soap and other products.
Any oil derived from plants can be used in
making these products. Oils from canola,
used to make a wide range of non-food
items, including cosmetics, paints, plastics
and more. Vegetable oils can even help
fuel your car with biodiesel. Canola oil is a
particularly good feedstock for biodiesel
due to its low saturated fat content. In this
case, what’s good for the heart is also good
for the engine.
Sources for the above facts include:
1. Health Canada
2. Purdue University Center for New Crops & Plants Products
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
4. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre
5. Wikipedia
6. Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute
7. Canola Council of Canada
8. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of
Food Science & Technology
9. Mayo Clinic For more information
10. National Biodiesel Board about canola oil, go to
www.canolainfo.org or
contact CanolaInfo at
fyi@canolainfo.org
1.866.479.0853
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