When selecting a healthy cooking oil, there’s one oil that often sparks confusion — canola oil. Numerous marketing efforts have advertised canola oil as a health food, but are these claims justified?
Some studies show that canola oil can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels better than olive oil. However, LDL levels aren’t as critical to your heart health as you might think. It’s more important to have a healthy HDL/LDL ratio, something that many studies reveal olive oil can help you achieve. While it may be true that canola oil can help lower LDL levels, you should also consider the reasons canola oil has received such a controversial reputation.
Canola oil is a highly processed oil that contains small doses of a toxic substance called hexane, a chemical derived from petroleum used in the oil extraction process. Additionally, it’s often partially hydrogenated (and hydrogenated oils are detrimental to your health). If you’re keen on avoiding GMOs, canola oil might not be the best choice, as nearly 90 percent of North American canola crops are genetically modified.
If you’re still unsure about canola oil, consider the latest research from Temple University. This research points to a connection between canola oil and Alzheimer’s disease.
Canola Oil’s Effect on the Brain
To determine the possible impact of canola oil on Alzheimer’s disease, Temple University researchers conducted a study with mice bred to develop a rodent version of Alzheimer’s disease. They divided the mice into two groups: one received a regular diet, and another received a diet supplemented with canola oil. Researchers observed some alarming effects on the mice given canola oil after one year:
- They weighed significantly more.
- They had worse short-term memory.
- They had a harder time learning.
- They had less of a protein (amyloid-beta 1-40) known to protect the brain.
- They had more amyloid-beta plaques in their brain (the calling card of Alzheimer’s).
Conversely, when the same study was conducted with olive oil instead of canola oil, researchers observed the opposite results. Mice fed an olive oil-supplemented diet showed improved brain health after a year, including less amyloid-beta plaque and better memories.
Choosing Brain-Boosting Oils
While these studies were conducted on mice, it may be too soon to conclude that canola oil causes or exacerbates Alzheimer’s disease in humans. However, one thing is clear: olive oil is better for your brain than canola oil. Highly processed vegetable oils like canola oil contain many advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which cause oxidative stress and inflammation in your body. Previous research has linked AGEs to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
For now, to support your brain health, stick to safer oils such as:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Studies have found that olive oil protects against the beta-amyloid plaques that cause Alzheimer’s disease and could potentially prevent brain cancer.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that can cross the blood-brain barrier, protect nerve cells, and prevent the beta-amyloid toxicity that causes Alzheimer’s.
- Grape seed oil: Research reveals that the antioxidants in grape seed extract can encourage the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Grape seed oil can also protect the brain from neurotoxicity caused by heavy metal exposure.
In conclusion, although canola oil might have some potential heart health benefits, it’s best to opt for oils that support overall brain health. Consider integrating extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and grape seed oil into your cooking routine for healthier results.
