Canola (Brassica napus) is an oilseed crop. The center of origin of canola, an oilseed crop is Canada which is created through the crossbreeding of the rapeseed plant.
Canola (Brassica Napus) is an oilseed crop. The center of origin of canola, an oilseed crop is Canada which is created through the crossbreeding of the rapeseed plant.
The name “ canola” comes from “Canada” and “ola,” which means oil. Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from the seeds of the canola plant. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is often used in cooking and baking because of its neutral flavor, high smoke points, and low saturated fats.
Plant breeders developed many varieties of canola that improved the seed quality. Genetically modified (GMO) canola crops are also developed for the improvement of oil quality and resistance to most herbicides.
Canola crops are used to create canola oil and canola meal, which are commonly used as animal feed. Canola oil can be used as a fuel alternative to diesel. It is a vegetable based oil that is mostly used in many food items . Canola oil use to make salad dressing or as an alternative fat source when baking.
Nutritional value:
According to the USDA, one tablespoon of canola oil has the following nutritional factors:
Calories: 124
Fat: 14 g
Sodium: 0 mg
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Carbs in canola oil:
There is a lack of carbohydrates in canola oil, like all oils have them.
Fats in canola oil:
All of the calories come from the fat. Four grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in canola oil, which is considered a good fat.
Protein in canola oil:
There is a lack of protein in canola oil.
Micronutrients in canola oil:
Few micronutrients are also present in canola oil.
Minerals in canola oil:
There is a lack of minerals in canola oil.
Source of vitamin E
Canola oil also contains vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against damage from free radicals. One tablespoon of canola oil provides about 10% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin E.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
Canola oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that are important for brain and heart health. One tablespoon of canola oil contains approximately 1.3 grams of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids:
Canola oil is also a good source of omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for maintaining healthy skin and hair, regulating metabolism, and supporting the immune system. One tablespoon of canola oil contains approximately 4.1 grams of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 fatty acid.
Benefits of canola oil:
- Canola oil has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in canola oil can help improve cholesterol levels by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
- Canola oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can lead to a variety of health problems.
- Canola oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that has been shown to help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia.
- The vitamin E in canola oil can help nourish and protect the skin and hair. It is often used in skincare and haircare products to moisturize and protect against damage from free radicals
This article is jointly authored by Aneeza Anwar, Manahil Tariq and Sadia Bibi from Plant breeding and genetics