Olive oil v rapeseed oil

hi Moonfairy,

I did not know about Rapeseed Oil and its benefits but I will certainly be trying it out now, thanks for the tip!

carolxx

Hi there, I've used Rapeseed Oil for about two years now - mainly because I read about the 'healthier' benefits of this oil but I also watched some programme on the tv a little while back about a chap who grows the rapeseed plant...most interesting...from what I can remember. As far as the taste goes - it's fine (and I'm finnicky) - :nature-smiley-008:

Hi moonfairy,

If you can get cold pressed rapeseed oil, that would be good as an additional oil to olive oil.

Olive oil is a low on the omega-3's, but cold pressed oils like pumpkin seed oil (my favourite), flax seed, perilla and hemp oil can be added to the diet.

Not everything you read should be trusted. Look at how things like soy, margerine and the like are promoted. This is a quote from wikipedia on rapeseed/canola oil:

Other sources (such as The Weston Price Foundation[1]) have well researched concerns about the possible health risks of Canola oil: animal testing that indicates growth retardation, a higher incidence of heart lesions of the myocardium, decrease in platelet count and increase in platelet size, vitamin E deficiency, high blood pressure, and lowered life spans.

In many of these studies, when saturated fats were added to the diets, health improved. There is also the concern that the modern process of extracting the oils with high-pressure mechanical pressing along with industrial solvent residue in the oil such as Hexane in itself can be toxic.

These heat, high pressure and solvent processing methods[2] are common with most contemporary vegetable oils. Since omega-3 fatty acids rapidly become offensive smelling and subject to rancidification when processed with high heat and oxygen, the oil is then subjected to a deodorizing process which removes much of the Omega-3 and replaces it with trans fats.

The actual claims of the Omega 3 content of processed canola oil have been challenged by a study[3] done at the University of Florida which found trans fat levels of up to 4.6 in commercial canola oil as opposed to the Canadian Governments assertion that the oil has 0.2 percent trans fat. Because of concerns about inhibited growth in human infants, canola oil is not permitted in infant formula by the FDA.

I don't know enough about rapeseed oil, however another one to consider as an alternative to olive oil is avocado oil. It can also withstand much higher cooking temperatures, and I believe also does well on the healthy front.

At one stage I was able to get it from my local Sainsburys, although they no longer seem to stock it, maybe in some of the larger stores.

the best oil to COOK with is coconut oil. although rapeseed oil may be more resitant to heat damage, it, like all unsaturated oils, will suffer damage to an extent. coconut oil is a vegetable oil high in saturated fat (saturated fat suffers very little damage qwhen heated to high temperatures). but, there is no evidence that coconut oil raised LDL levels (it's effect on cholestorol is neutral) in the way animal fats do. use small amount in cooking as its expensive and contains medium chain fatty acids which in excess can cause GI distress. have the rest of the fat in your diet as cold pressed oils and from fish, nuts and seeds and avacados. p.s. never, ever cook with oils high in polyunsaturated fats- they are very prone to heat damage.

alex.

I'll be sticking to my olive oil, love the stuff!

I will only use fractionated coconut oiul as my massage/aromatherapy base oil. It is of course a vegetable oil and not a nut. It does not have an aroma, and yes I do use it for cooking with, but often use 50:50 with another.

Thanks to everyone for all your advice.

I think I am a bit wary about changing over from olive oil now. As I use very little oil to cook with, maybe I'll just stick with the olive oil for now.:rolleyes:

rapeseed is one of the common GMO crops. Even if it's not a GMO plant, cross pollination is extremely easy with rapeseed. I won't go near it these days.

I think the rapeseed not degrading at high temps belief is based on it's smoking point, it's got a VERY high smoking temp compared to things like butter, but there is actually a lot of nutritional degredation taking place when it is heated well before it reaches smoking point. Essential fatty acids start breaking down well before smoking point is reached in any oil. All the reasons to use cold pressed oils are all the same reasons why you don't heat oil in cooking. I'm not sure if there is much difference between what oil you use when it has been heated for long.

Rapeseed oil benefits

I really have to say that there are some fantastic benefits when it comes to rapeseed oil. I left my job as a head cook in a pub kitchen to work with a small family in Norfolk who produce an extra virgin coldpresed rapeseed oil and even though i help sell it, it genuinely use it everyday. Heat processed oil is just or frying and contains more chemicals and solvents in order for them to be able to extract more from the rape. By cold pressing you keep the omogea 3, 6 and 9s (ten times more than an olive oil) vitmain e and the ability to help you to lower your cholesterol. Sure, by frying with any oil you gradually use the nutriants, but you are starting off with more and its great with marindes, salad dressings etc. So whilst delicate enough for that, with the high burn point of around 130degrees you can reach higher temperatures. Makes reat roast pots and bread! It is the british olive oil! we are more than capable of taking care of ourselves in this country and we dont seem to do it enough. Sure i enjoy and use olive oil, but really do try a rapeseed oil. Visit wwww.yarevalleyoils.co.uk for more info or email us if you have any questions or check us out on twitter @yarevalleyoils. Cheers guys, lovin the posts and hope you are are well. Good luck on your food ventures and discoveries, hope ive helped