Canola oil was manufactured in Canada in the early 1970’s . It is a cheap genetically modified product that can be packaged and used in other processed foods. In 1995, Monsanto created a genetically modified canola oil that is now used in place of the original oil. Canada’s crop in 2009 was 90% genetically modified and in 2005 87% of the U.S. was modified.
Canola oil comes from rapeseed oil, that in turn comes from the rapeseed plant. The plant is a member of the mustard family and was developed at the University of Manitoba in Canada. The creators of canola oil were Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson.
Wild Rapeseed oil caontains a large amounts of erucic acid. Erucic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is found in oils such as rapeseed. In high doses such as rapeseed oil can cause health issues. Canola oil has a safer food grade amount that doesn’t have as strong as side effects. Canola oil is low in saturated fats and a source of omega-3 acids. That’s about where it ends. The oil can cause kidney and liver problems, heart issues, and hypertension and strokes. There is also the possibility of stunting infant growth, high in trans-fats, as well as GMO health side effects.
Good substitutes are coconut oil, olive oil, Ghee or organic pasture-raised butter, Red palm oil.
Secret: There are 280g of fat in 1 cup of canola oil with 16.1g being saturated fat.