Canola oil is a plant-based food that has both health and culinary benefits. Did you know it was developed right here in Canada? The name canola is a combination of the words Canadian and ola (meaning oil). You may see the bright yellow-flowering canola plants in fields all across the country.
Canola oil came about using traditional plant breeding techniques. More recent varieties were genetically modified to be resistant to herbicides. This enables farmers to better control weeds without damaging the canola crop. Health Canada assesses all genetically-modified foods to ensure they are safe for humans before they can be sold in Canada. To date, no study has ever caused Health Canada to alter its conclusions about any GM food product it has approved.
Canola was specifically bred to provide a unique fat composition that is high in ‘good’ monounsaturated fats, relatively high in polyunsaturated fats and low in ‘bad’ saturated fats. Canola is a ‘healthy oil’ because it is:
Very low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat. Replacing saturated fat in the diet with unsaturated fat like canola oil may reduce the risk of heart disease.
A good source of essential omega-3 fats which is important to get from the diet because our bodies cannot make them.
A source of vitamin E, a dietary antioxidant.
Canola oil has a light flavour, clear colour and is an economical and versatile ingredient. It works well in many types of cooking and recipes. Look for healthy recipes with canola oil created by dietitians to unlock flavour and health benefits of food.