Rapeseed oil benefit or harm. Rapeseed oil - useful properties and contraindications

Features of the use of rapeseed oil and the beneficial properties that it has on the human body. When you can face his harm. Use in cooking.

The content of the article:

Rapeseed oil is a type of vegetable oil that is obtained from the herbaceous plant of the Cabbage family - rapeseed (Brassica napus), namely from its seeds. Despite the fact that the culture has been known for more than 6 thousand years, it is practically not found in the wild. It is assumed that this plant arose due to the crossing of garden cabbage and superitsa. Most botanists consider Europe - England and Holland - to be the birthplace of the plant. In the 16th century it spread to Germany, Poland and Ukraine. In Russia, the cultivation of rapeseed began in the 19th century. Plants reach a height of 2 m. The stem is straight, with a large number of branches. The leaves are thin, blue-green or purple. The flowers are bright yellow, small, collected in inflorescences. The fruits are small, collected in pods. There are two main types of plants - winter and spring, that is, biennial and annual. Most actively grown in India, China, Ukraine and EU countries. Rape has been widely used in the food industry.

Composition and calorie content of rapeseed oil

Calorie content of rape seeds - 899 kcal per 100 g of product, of which:

• Fats - 99.9 g;
• Water - 0.1 g.

A lot of useful properties of rapeseed are included in the vitamin composition of the product. 100 g of oil contains 126% of the daily intake of vitamin E, which improves eyesight, normalizes hormonal levels, copes with sudden mood swings and prevents muscle weakness. The high content of vitamin PP, NE prevents the development of nausea and heartburn, weakness, dizziness, apathy, and insomnia. To a small extent, but still present in the product are vitamins B1 and B2, which speed up metabolism, participate in hematopoiesis, support vision and the nervous system.

The content of phosphorus in the product is high, the lack of which can lead to sleep disturbances, decreased muscle tone, brittle bones, poor appetite, feelings of anxiety and fear, disturbances in the work of the heart, problems with hematopoiesis. Magnesium will help to avoid symptoms such as dizziness and headaches, arrhythmia, poor memory, low concentration, convulsions, pain in the hands, feet, muscles, heart. Calcium is necessary for our body to solve problems with fragility of bones and tooth decay, normalization of the body's water balance. Potassium plays an important role in our body. It reduces the risk of nervous exhaustion, dry skin, brittle nails and hair. Iron plays an indispensable role in hematopoiesis, and sodium helps calcium maintain water balance, is responsible for activating enzyme synthesis, and normalizes healthy muscle contraction.

The following acids are also present in the oil:

1. palmitic. Participates in the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are responsible for the regeneration and beauty of the skin. It is the main component of breast milk. Starts the processes of digestion, helps in the absorption of calcium.
2. Stearic. Synthesized from palmitic acid, it is an energy storage, but at the same time provokes an increase in the number of cholesterol plaques.
3. Oleic. Resists the occurrence of neoplasms, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous and cardiac systems.
4. Linoleic. Accelerates growth processes, regulates hormonal levels and water balance, speeds up metabolism.
5. Linolenic. Reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, supports brain activity.
6. Erucovaya. This component is a poison for the human body, destructively affecting systems and organs. Today, however, rapeseed varieties have been bred that contain a minimal amount of this acid. It is possible to reduce its content in the manufacture of oil.

Useful properties of rapeseed oil

• Normalization of the psychoneurological state. Memory impairment, absent-mindedness, decreased concentration, severe fatigue, excessive irritability, lack of interest in life and many other disturbing symptoms of a similar nature may not indicate real problems in your life that require the corrective action of neuropsychiatrists, but a banal lack of nutrients. It turns out that not difficult life circumstances, but malnutrition, can lead to depression much more often. The oil, which contains a huge amount of useful substances, will help to cope with apathy, insomnia, bad mood, headaches. Improves the body's resistance to stress, activates brain activity, improves memory.
• Improving the condition of blood vessels. This happens due to a slowdown in the mechanism of thinning of their walls, an increase in the lumen, as well as the prevention of the formation of cholesterol plaques. Interestingly, some components of the oil, on the contrary, contribute to the deposition of cholesterol, while others prevent it. Fortunately, there are more useful components that have a positive effect on blood vessels in the product, so we can safely say that recovery awaits you in this part. It will be to normalize blood pressure, prevent strokes and heart attacks, atherosclerosis and other dangerous diseases.
• Prevention of tumor formation. This applies to both benign and malignant neoplasms. And to a greater extent, rapeseed oil protects women - their reproductive system, mammary glands, as it contains estradiol - a hormone due to which the maternal instinct wakes up. This component also helps to safely conceive a fetus and bear a child with the least damage to the health of the woman in labor.
• Improvement of the digestive tract. This happens due to the improvement of metabolic processes, the acceleration of enzyme production, the improvement of food digestion, the absorption of useful substances from it and the removal of harmful ones, as well as the removal of excess water and toxins, while blocking the leaching of beneficial salts from bones and organs.
• Strengthening hair and nails, improving skin condition. Extracts from rapeseed oil are actively used in cosmetology, as they help to make the skin more elastic, less susceptible to time and the harmful effects of the environment (wind, sun, poor ecology, poor nutrition and consumption of untreated water). The product also strengthens hair, making it thicker, shiny and silky, and nails less brittle. Strengthening the effect can be achieved if you not only use cosmetics with rapeseed, but also saturate the body with useful components from the inside, nourishing the skin, hair and nails at the cellular level.

Contraindications and harm of rapeseed oil

This component can have an extremely destructive effect on the liver. In addition, erucic acid, since it is not processed by the body, but is deposited in tissues, can slow down the process of sexual development in adolescents by blocking the production of hormones necessary for this. As we have also noted, breeders managed to develop varieties containing the smallest amount of this component, but we do not recommend completely ignoring the danger.

1. Children. Can cause significant damage to the liver and the entire imperfect digestive system of the child.
2. Teenagers. The risk is in violation of the hormonal background and interference in the process of puberty.
3. Those with liver problems. This is especially true for those who suffer from chronic ailments of the liver and gallbladder. Harmful components can be toxically deposited in the body's main filter and provoke the formation of gallstones.
4. Food allergy sufferers. Any oil is a strong allergen, so you need to introduce it into the diet gradually. This applies to all consumers, and allergy sufferers - especially.

How rapeseed oil is used

Pay attention to product expiration dates. With a border date, you should not take oil, no matter what discounts the sellers tempt you with.

Also pass by a product that has a sediment and a cloudy structure. The color of the oil should be amber-yellow, transparent, and smell slightly reminiscent of peanuts. It is undesirable to hydrogenate the product, as this makes the molecular structure unstable.

The oil will bring the most benefits if consumed raw. However, you can use it for cooking, subjected to heat treatment. Only on condition that the cooking temperature is not higher than 160 ° C. When the temperature exceeds this mark, toxic substances begin to be synthesized in the oil. For dressing salads, use the same amount as if using olive or sunflower oil. But when baking this product, you need a little less because of its tighter structure.

It is better to store it in a glass container. Therefore, having bought in plastic, do not be too lazy to pour and seal tightly. Then put in a cool place where there is no direct sunlight. These are also the basic rules for storing rapeseed seeds and all derivatives of this plant.

Rapeseed oil recipes

• winter soup. A perfect starter for a cold winter evening. Pour 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil into a deep saucepan, fry a finely chopped large onion and 2 grated carrots on a coarse grater. When the vegetables are golden, throw in a small head of cauliflower, disassembled into small inflorescences, and 5-6 medium diced potatoes. Fry for a couple of minutes, pour 2 liters of vegetable broth and cook until the vegetables are soft. Drain the liquid, beat everything with a blender, return the broth back, whisk again, add 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil, mix well. Serve with croutons, sprinkle the soup with finely chopped parsley and a pinch of sesame seeds.
• Goulash with beef. Thanks to rapeseed oil, traditional Bulgarian goulash will acquire a very delicate taste and aroma. Take 500 g of beef goulash, fry over medium heat with onions until a golden crust appears on the onions. Pour in the vegetable broth until it just barely covers the meat. Simmer for an hour on low heat. When the meat is ready, add 8-10 potatoes, diced into cubes, 2-3 carrots in half rings. Add the broth again so that it covers all the ingredients, let it boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes. 5 minutes before the end of cooking, salt, pepper and add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste or 100 ml of tomato juice. After cooking, add 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil, stir, let it brew for 5-10 minutes with the lid closed, serve.
• Chicken breast on a vegetable bed. This dish is not only delicious, but also very healthy. Rinse the chicken fillet, pat dry with paper towels, salt, pepper, rub with paprika and fry over high heat using olive oil. Take a small bunch of basil and parsley, separate the stems, grind in a blender with 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of capers and 4 tablespoons of rapeseed oil, salt and pepper the sauce. Finely chop 200 g of lettuce mix, cut into quarters 200 g of cherry tomatoes, season them with the following dressing: whisk together 3 tablespoons of rapeseed oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and sugar. Put the chicken fillet cut into pieces on the seasoned mix of leaves with cherry tomatoes. Serve with green sauce.
• Pie with turkey. Any poultry meat is suitable for share - turkey, chicken, goose, etc. If you have meat left after the holidays, feel free to use it, but if you start from scratch, then you need to take 700 meat and bake it in the oven or fry it in a pan. Then cool and cut into cubes. Add 150 g of chopped ham to it. In a frying pan, fry 300 g of leek rings in olive oil, add 2 tablespoons of wheat flour, brown it, stirring constantly, pour in 400 ml of milk, stir well and let the ingredients combine for 1-2 minutes. Put the meat with ham into a baking dish, fill it with onion-milk dressing, sprinkle with a bunch of finely chopped parsley, add 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil and 1 tablespoon of mustard, mix well. Close the pie with several sheets of folded filo dough, brush it with rapeseed oil, scatter 1 tablespoon of cranberries and bake in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 160 ° C for 25-30 minutes until the dough becomes golden. Serve topped with 150g Parmesan.
• Mackerel with oranges. This is the perfect grilled fish. However, in the oven, it will turn out very tasty and unusual. To prepare this dish, we need 2 large mackerels. It is better to take fresh fish, but defrosted will also work. Gut the fish, if you plan to bake with the head, remove the gills. Take two ripe oranges, remove the peel and white membranes, leaving only the pulp. Lightly salt the fish inside and out, rub with ground ginger, and stuff with oranges tightly. Grease the grill grate with sunflower oil, simmer for 10-15 minutes on each side. If you cook in the oven, put the fish in foil, wrap it well and send it to the mold, bake for 20-30 minutes at a temperature of 180 ° C. Put on a dish, grease the still hot fish with rapeseed oil, this will give it an incredible aroma. Garnish with half rings of orange, serve with a fresh salad.
• onion bread. With such an addition, even the simplest soup or light salad will sparkle with new colors. For a full-bodied bread, choose only fresh butter and sweet onions. Take a large onion, finely chop and dry for half an hour in the oven at a temperature of 150 ° C, stirring several times. Sift 250 g of premium wheat flour, add dried onions, 25 ml of rapeseed oil, a pinch of salt to it, mix well. Mix 10 g of fresh yeast in 125 ml of water, add to the flour and mix well again. Lubricate the container with rapeseed oil and transfer the dough into it. Leave for an hour until 2-3 times larger. When it rises, you need to knead the dough and put it in a greased form, bake for about an hour at a temperature of 150 ° C. If you want a golden crust, grease the dough with egg yolk before jigging in the oven. If you want a soft crust, brush with water after baking and cover with a towel until cool. It is tastier not to cut such bread, but to break it into pieces.

After Canadian breeders bred a variety that was completely free of harmful components several years ago, rapeseed was called the plant of the future. So far, products from it can only be bought abroad. Due to the fairly easy reproduction, the resulting oil is much less expensive than olive oil or even sunflower oil, and the composition of vitamins, microelements and macroelements in it is much higher than in other vegetable oils.

Rapeseed fields during flowering are blankets of incredible beauty, repeatedly sung by poets, writers and artists. At the same time, they are also the habitat of many bees, which generously share delicious rapeseed honey with people. In color, it does not differ at all from high-quality rapeseed oil.

Few people know what rapeseed seeds look like. This is not surprising, because most often we use the derivatives of this product for food, and not the fruits themselves. They are very small, slightly larger than match heads, and the range of colors is from yellow to black. But the most useful are those that, like honey, have the color of oil - mustard yellow.

In its natural form, rape seeds are mainly used for feeding livestock.

In recent years, the production of biofuel from rapeseed has been developed, as well as the preparation of technical - lubricating and hydraulic oils.

Watch the video about rapeseed oil:

Rapeseed oil is considered a very valuable product. Previously, it was considered unfit for food and used for technical purposes, but after the 1980s, it became widely used in the food industry. This is due to the fact that until the end of the 19th century, a high content of erucic acid was found in rapeseed, which was considered very harmful to the body.

But in the early 70s, Canadian breeders developed a new variety of rapeseed - "canola". This species contained the minimum amount of a harmful substance - only 2%. It was after this that the product became popular in the food industry. Today it is used in cooking, cosmetology, folk and traditional medicine. How to use rapeseed oil for health benefits, we will consider further.

Types of rapeseed oil

Rapeseed oil is especially popular in Europe. Residents of some countries call it the "northern olive", as its valuable properties are similar to the composition of the olive. To date, canola seeds are used to make oil. There are two types of rapeseed oil:

• Unrefined oil cold pressed is a very valuable product. Before cooking, the seeds are thoroughly cleaned and magnetically separated. The next step is pressing and filtering. As a result, it acquires a pleasant taste and nutty aroma. Such a product retains a maximum of nutrients. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, for which its use is of particular value to the body. To produce an unrefined high quality and healthy product, the seeds are processed by cold pressing.
• Refined rapeseed oil in the course of processing it is exposed to hydration and neutralization. As a result of such purification, most of the nutrients disappear. A refined product, which is less important for the food industry, is obtained by hydration and freezing.

The main difference between refined and unrefined rapeseed oil is the shade. In the first case it is golden yellow, in the second it is amber yellow, sometimes reaching brown.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Useful properties of rapeseed oil are due to the richest natural composition. The product is rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc.

The chemical composition of rapeseed is presented:

• Vitamin A, E, B, D, K;
• Natural minerals - zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, copper;
• Tocopherols;
• carotenoids;
• Saturated acids - peanut, palmitic, stearic, myristic;
• Unsaturated fatty acids - Omega 9, Omega 6;
• Polyunsaturated acids - Omega 3, etc.

The calorie content of the oil is 900 kilocalories per 100 g of product. Nutritional value: proteins - 0, carbohydrates - 0, fats - 99.9.

Beneficial features

Rapeseed oil is of great value. The useful properties of the product allow it to be used in various fields. Rapeseed oil is useful for eating. It enriches the body with valuable nutrients. It is effectively used for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases.

Scientists have proven that rapeseed oil reduces the risk of cancer.

Also the product is incredibly useful for healthy skin and hair. The abundance of vitamins and fats act as antioxidants that slow down the aging process and improve the condition of hair, skin and nails.

Rapeseed oil contributes normalization of the cardiovascular system strengthening the heart muscle. It improves the condition of blood vessels, making them strong and elastic. Prevents the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and stroke.

Especially useful oil for women. It is rich in phytoestrogens - plant analogues of the female hormone estradiol, which plays a very important role in the female reproductive system. It is especially useful to use during menstruation or during menopause. The oil normalizes the hormonal background, relieves unpleasant symptoms and pain.

The product improves performance gastrointestinal tract, normalizing digestion and increasing metabolism. The oil reduces the acidity of the stomach and promotes the regeneration of ulcerative and inflammatory phenomena in the intestines.

Drying oil improves liver and kidney function. It removes toxins and toxins, cleansing the body of harmful compounds.

Rapeseed oil is often used in the form of lotions. in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The product reduces the level of bad cholesterol, thereby preventing the development of atherosclerosis.

It is rich in Omega 3. This fatty acid is beneficial for brain function It also strengthens cell membranes.

Butter increases the protective functions of the body, strengthens the immune system, thereby increasing the body's resistance to various viruses, bacteria and infections.

It has bactericidal, regenerating and resolving properties. Effectively heals wounds, burns, abrasions and various skin lesions. The abundance of retinol in the composition contributes improving visual acuity, which is especially useful for people suffering from nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Medicinal use

Due to the abundance of valuable substances, rapeseed oil is useful to take orally. It is used for the treatment and prevention of certain diseases. Also, the product is used as an external agent in the form of lotions, compresses, as well as in the preparation of medicinal ointments. Rapeseed oil can also be used for relaxation by adding to the bath.

In its purest form

To raise the protective functions of the body it is necessary to take orally 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil daily. This allows you to strengthen the immune system and saturate the body with the necessary amount of nutrients.

To relieve hangover symptoms It is recommended to dilute a few drops of oil in a glass of water. You need to use the remedy on an empty stomach.

Compresses

For joint pain you need to take gauze or a clean piece of cloth, apply oil to it. Then apply such a compress to the sore spot for several hours.

For burns, abrasions and wounds it is recommended to lubricate damaged areas with rapeseed oil 2-3 times a day. The product has a healing effect and starts the processes of regeneration and repair of damaged tissues. You can also use compresses.

Baths

You can use rape and for a revitalizing bath after a hard day's work. To prepare a sedative, you need to take 2 tbsp. l. rapeseed oil, a glass of milk, 1 tbsp. l. soda, 50 g sea salt, 1 tsp. starch and a few drops of lavender essential extract. Mix all components and pour into a bath with warm water and take it for no more than 20 minutes.

Use in cosmetology

Rapeseed oil has found wide application in cosmetology. Today, many cosmetic companies use the product for the production of skin and hair care products. The oil is a part of many creams, scrubs, serums, shampoos, ampoule concentrates, etc.

Rapeseed oil is good for the skin. It has a regenerating, rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. The product stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, thereby strengthening the skin frame. It also smoothes fine lines and gives the skin a radiant, healthy look.

In home cosmetology, it is used to prepare anti-aging, nourishing, healing and moisturizing masks.

For face and hands

Mask for dry and chapped skin of the face and hands from rapeseed oil is prepared with the addition of dairy products. A few teaspoons should be mixed with honey, 1 tbsp. l. cream or 1 tbsp. l. natural yogurt. Apply the composition on the face and hands for half an hour. After the time has passed, rinse with warm water.

Mask for aging skin contains as well as essential oils. We take 15 ml of rapeseed and one drop of essential oils of rosewood, sandalwood and orange. Mix everything and apply on the skin for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Mask for pimples and acne with rapeseed is especially effective. Add 2 drops of clove, lavender and cedar oil to one tablespoon of rapeseed oil. The mixture is applied to the previously cleansed skin of the face, paying attention to problem areas. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse and apply a pore-reducing cream.

Mask for dry skin with rapeseed helps to moisturize and nourish the skin of the face and lips. We prepare a mixture of 15 ml of rapeseed oil, 2 drops of lime ether, 2 drops of rose ether and 1 drop of lemon balm oil. All components must be mixed and applied to the area around the eyes with massaging movements. Rinse after 15 minutes and apply eye cream.

Nourishing mask is made on the basis of two dessert spoons of rapeseed oil. They need to be mixed with honey, fat sour cream or natural yogurt, taken in equal amounts. Apply the prepared mixture on the face. Then wash off with warm water after 20 minutes.

For hair

Nourishing hair mask does not require additional components. We take 3 tbsp. l. oil product and rub it into the hair roots and further along the entire length. The movements should be massaging. Next, cover your head with cling film or a bag, then warm it with a towel. After 30 minutes, wash off the product with warm water using shampoo. The procedure should be carried out twice a month until the condition of the hair is completely improved.

Mask for dull and damaged hair a mixture with sea salt and rapeseed is suitable. We mix 0.5 l of fatty kefir, 2 tbsp. l. rapeseed drying oil and 0.5 tbsp. l. sea ​​salt. The mass must be homogeneous. Apply the prepared mixture to the hair. Cover with plastic wrap and wrap with a towel. Keep the mask for an hour, then wash off.

To strengthen and improve hair growth it is recommended to add rapeseed oil to a regular hair mask. The proportion for 100 ml of base is 7 ml of oil. This method will significantly improve the condition of the hair. The oil strengthens the strands, prevents split ends and adds shine and silkiness to the hair.

For hair restoration mix 15 ml of rapeseed and avocado oils; 10 drops of vitamin A, 5 drops of bay or rosemary essential oil. We distribute the finished homogeneous mixture along the entire length of the hair - from roots to ends. The duration of the procedure is 45 minutes. Wash off after time.

To lighten hair and remove dye residue mix 1 liter of fatty kefir, 30 ml of rapeseed oil, 15 grams of sea salt. The composition is distributed over the entire length of the hair. After that, cover the head with a plastic bag and a towel. Leave the mask on for an hour, then wash off. The mask is recommended to be used no more than twice in 10 days.

For body

Rapeseed oil bath will help to give the skin incredible tenderness and velvety. For its preparation you need: 50 grams of dried lavender flowers, 12 grams of baking soda, 5 grams of cornstarch, 100 grams of sea salt, 30 ml of rapeseed oil and 220 ml of milk. Mix all ingredients and pour into warm water. The duration of a session of taking such a bath should not exceed 20 minutes. The skin after such a procedure will be saturated with moisture, it will become velvety and elastic.

Canola oil can be used for massage. For preparation, you need to take 30 ml of rapeseed and grape seed oils, 2 drops of peppermint ether, 3 drops of eucalyptus ether and 4 drops of rosemary oil. Mix all components. Use the prepared mixture for the massage procedure.

Contraindications

Rapeseed oil has a number of very important contraindications. This point must be pushed aside with special care, otherwise the use of the product can harm the body.

The main contraindications of the product are:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• cholelithiasis and hepatitis;
• disorders of the digestive tract;
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• individual intolerance.

Unrefined rapeseed oil in large quantities can be unhealthy. The product contains erucic acid, which can accumulate in tissues and can lead to various consequences:

• dysfunction of the heart muscle;
• deterioration of the liver, in the worst cases - to the development of cirrhosis;
• growth retardation;
• deterioration of the reproductive system.

It is necessary to comply with the norm in use. Any product in unlimited quantities can adversely affect the functioning of the body, leading to various side effects.

Selection and storage

For residents of Russia, rapeseed oil is considered a new product, so its choice should be taken seriously. Before choosing a product, you need to pay attention to the content of erucic acid, which should not exceed 0.6%. You can find this information on the product label. If a larger amount of this substance is contained, it is not recommended to buy the product, since it can significantly worsen health when ingested.

Another important point is that there is no sediment in high-quality oil. You should also avoid rapeseed oil, which is made from genetically modified varieties of rapeseed. It is better to refuse such a product, thereby once again securing yourself.

Buy rapeseed product only in stores specializing in the production of natural oils.

It is especially important to treat the color of the product. As already mentioned, the presence of sediment and opacity indicates low-quality raw materials used in production. The normal color of drying oil is golden yellow or amber yellow. A pale color also indicates a poor quality product.

High-quality oil made from rapeseed can be stored for about five years when closed. During this time, the product does not lose its useful properties and is considered edible. You need to store in a glass container, preferably in a dark place where the sun's rays do not fall. If the storage conditions are not respected, it begins to acquire sediment and lose its aroma. The presence of sediment and the lack of transparency are the first signal that the product begins the oxidation process.

If rapeseed oil has been opened, it must be used within a year. It is recommended to store such a product in the refrigerator, after closing the bottle well.

Rapeseed oil has a delicate nutty aroma, a taste reminiscent of peanuts, which causes wild imagination among true culinary specialists. Therefore, in recent years, seekers of new taste sensations are increasingly interested in information about rapeseed oil.

What is made of, composition

The basis for its preparation are the seeds of the rapeseed plant, which belongs to the cabbage family. As an agricultural oilseed, it has been cultivated for more than a century. Opinions about the homeland of rapeseed are divided: some consider it the Mediterranean, others Northern India. In some countries (China, India, Ukraine, Canada) it is quite common, it is sown with about 2% of the sown area around the world. Breeding the plant is quite easy. But a huge disadvantage is that its composition contains a lot of erucic acid and thioglycosides. The substance is considered toxic, a large amount of which harms the human body. For this reason, at first the product was used only for lubricating metal. This was explained by the complexity of the process of converting ordinary rapeseed oil into purified (refined) due to the removal of phospholipids, free fatty acids, chlorophyll group pigments, and sulfur compounds from it.

However, the 70s of the twentieth century gave the world the newest variety of rapeseed "Canola". It was bred by Canadian breeders. The low content of toxic elements (no more than 2%) made it suitable for food use. Thanks to modern technology, it has become possible to reduce the percentage of dangerous erucic acid to 1 (zero-rapeseed), and even to below 0.1% (double zero-rapeseed). Oil from the variety "Canola" is commercially known as "canola". Unrefined first grade, refined non-deodorized grades are suitable for cooking. In their composition, thioglucosides are about 3%, erucic acid is not more than 5%.

Composition per 100 g:

• fats - 99.9 g;
• unsaturated fatty acids - 33 g;
• saturated fatty acids - 10 g;
• water - 0.1 g;
• phosphorus - 2 mg;
• vitamin E - 18.9 mg.

Calorie content - 899 kcal.

Benefit

The most recommended for consumption is olive oil. But some experts claim that rapeseed is more useful. The nutritional properties of oils differ slightly, but rapeseed oils are much more affordable (a liter costs from 35 to 50 rubles). The polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in it are of great benefit to the human body.

• Omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on joint mobility, brain function and the cardiovascular system, and help lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Oleic is the prevention of atherosclerosis, cleans the walls of blood vessels.
• Linoleic strengthens the immune system (protects cells from microbes), promotes weight loss, serves as a prevention of arrhythmias, strokes, heart attacks, and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The benefits of the product are enhanced by the content of vitamins A and E.

• Vitamin E, being a powerful antioxidant and immunomodulator, strengthens cell walls, protects against invasion of various types of bacteria. 1 st. a spoonful of oil provides a person's daily need for this antioxidant.
• Vitamin A has a beneficial effect on good vision, enhances the body's immunity to harmful environmental effects.

The undoubted benefit is brought by the hormone estradiol, which is part of the structure of the oil (a vegetable analogue of the female sex hormone). It fights cancer cells that cause breast swelling. The hormone has a positive effect on the ability of women to become pregnant, endure healthy. It has been established that the probability of breast cancer in women who consume rapeseed oil is lower than in those who prefer sunflower, corn.

Harm

The downside of the product is the presence of erucic acid. Unfortunately, the enzymes of the human body do not eliminate it. Over time, it can cause problems in the sexual sphere of adults, delay its formation in children. Such a substance can cause diseases of the heart, skeletal muscles, blood vessels, liver.

Unrefined rapeseed oil contains thioglycosides, which stimulate appetite and have antimicrobial properties. But they can also lead to allergies, headaches.

Malicious elements are disposed of by the product recycling process, but some necessary ones also disappear during cleaning. The result is a not-so-useful product. These problems do not arise when using the Canola variety. Many baby food experts recommend refusing or limiting its consumption by children as much as possible.

In some EU states, some varieties are prohibited for use as a food product. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully read the label, where the manufacturer indicates the level of erucic acid content. The norm is - 0.3-0.6%. In some states, oil is used for the purpose of making margarine, used for frying meat, poultry, and vegetables. However, it should be borne in mind that when heated, unsafe compounds are formed; at temperatures above 170C, toxins appear. Inhaling steam while frying increases the risk of lung cancer. Therefore, it is more correct to use the product raw (to season salads). With diarrhea, exacerbations of chronic hepatitis, cholelithiasis, individual intolerance, the use of this product is contraindicated.

Application, storage

Initially, rapeseed oil, which has a mustard flavor, was considered unsuitable for eating. Used only for the purpose of lighting. With the spread of steam cars, they began to be used as a lubricant because of the ability not to be washed off metal products with water and steam. Since the end of the twentieth century, they began to be used as biofuels.

To date, the quality of the product has increased, the demand has increased. The level of its production in Europe came in third place after soybean and cotton. The use of rapeseed oil is very diverse.

• For more than a dozen years, it has been used to produce biofuels.
• Dermatologists and cosmetologists often use it and recommend it as a good moisturizing, softening, nourishing, skin regenerating agent.
• Sterile oil is used in pharmacology. On its basis, oil solutions for injections, ointment preparations are prepared.
• Cooks, given the nutty or floral flavor, use in the preparation of cold dishes, marinades, mayonnaise, other sauces, dress salads.
• It is used in home cosmetology. Baths soften the skin, make it soft. You can prepare it according to the following recipe: 2 tbsp. spoons of rapeseed oil, 200 ml of milk, one fourth cup of sea salt, 20 g of baking soda, 10 g of cornstarch, 2-4 drops of lavender essential oil, a handful of lavender flowers (dry), CO2 - linden extract (half a teaspoon). Mix all. The procedure is carried out for about a quarter of an hour.
• Use by the soap, leather and textile industries.

Despite the fact that the oil remains colorless for a longer time in comparison with other vegetable oils, does not deteriorate under the influence of open air (retains aroma), it still needs to be stored in a cool, dark place in a glass container. In this case, it will retain its useful elements longer, will not lose its taste for 5 years.

Rapeseed oil is in the same niche as olive oil, but costs much less. It is worth thinking about using it to search for new culinary delights!

Rape does not grow wild in nature. But it has been cultivated in culture for more than 5 thousand years. For a long time, the scope of the plant was limited to the technical field. Rapeseed oil has been used to produce biofuel, soap; in the textile and leather industries.

Unrefined rapeseed oil contains thioglucosides and erucic acid (more than 60%). These are substances hazardous to health: the human enzyme system is not able to utilize them. They accumulate in the tissues of the body and cause harm.

For food purposes, only mutant varieties of rapeseed are suitable, in the oil of which the content of erucic acid is minimal. According to GOST 8988-2002, only unrefined first grade rapeseed oil or refined non-deodorized oil, in which the concentration of erucic acid is less than 5%, thioglucosides - less than 3%, is allowed for food. Under these conditions, the product will not cause harm.

Rapeseed oil, like any vegetable oil (sunflower, olive, corn), is high in calories. 99% of the product consists of fats. Let's take a look at the most useful ones.:

• saturated fatty acids (10%);
• unsaturated fatty acids (33%);
• monounsaturated (oleic acid);
• polyunsaturated (linolenic, linoleic acids);
• phospholipids, etc.

The usefulness of the product also depends on vitamin and mineral composition:

• vitamin E (tocopherols);
• carotenoids;
• B vitamins;
• vitamin D;
• phosphorus;
• zinc;
• copper;
• magnesium, etc.

Sometimes an extract from rape seeds is called "Russian olive oil". The composition of these products is similar, the benefits are huge.

Beneficial features

Harm and contraindications

The use, harm and benefits of rapeseed oil

Benefits of rapeseed oil

In addition to its high calorie content, the benefits of rapeseed oil is that it contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, the proportional ratio of which is ideal for the human body. Omega 3s support normal human growth and development, are important for good skin and proper kidney function, and are vital for normal eye and brain function.

Oleic acid, which is part of the oil, is an excellent component of dietary and clinical nutrition.

Linoleic acid in oil is not only a prophylactic agent for cardiovascular diseases, but also helps to improve their condition.

A tablespoon of this product provides a person with a daily intake of vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant. Its regular use, thanks to the recently found phytohormone in it, identical to the female one, promotes the conception of a child and makes a woman attractive.

Harm of rapeseed oil for the body

Harm to the human body brings only unrefined oil and made from low-quality seeds. This is due to the presence in it of residual components of erucic acid, which is harmful to all mammals because it is not excreted, but is deposited in the tissues. The presence of erucic acid in the human body is fraught with a slowdown in the growth and development of reproductive function, disruption of some internal organs. And therefore, even the relative cheapness of production did not make it possible to squeeze it for food purposes. But almost fifty years ago, a variety of rapeseed was bred in Canada, the amount of erucic acid in which did not exceed two percent. This prompted the industrialists to start producing a new food product. Rapeseed oil began to be added to oils and margarines.

Contraindications for use

Rapeseed oil: good or bad?

Rapeseed oil received wide recognition in the 80s of the twentieth century, when it became possible to reduce the level of erucic acid in rapeseed, a rather harmful product. At the moment, this oil is considered one of the most popular in Europe, as it has a balanced composition (it is in third place in terms of demand).

Rapeseed in the wild is not found in nature. It is cultivated in countries where there are favorable climatic conditions for its growth - such as China, India, Canada, the states of Western and Central Europe. Its main producers are the Czech Republic, Poland and China, which harvest up to half of the world's rapeseed crop.

Unlike other oils, rapeseed has an unusual aftertaste, very similar to nut, favorable for creating gourmet dishes. In most countries, it is used to prepare various sauces and salad dressings, although it is also possible to fry on it.

Rapeseed oil is quite balanced: it contains unsaturated fatty acids (66%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (27%), saturated fatty acids (6%). It has less saturated fatty acids than other vegetable oils. Rapeseed oil contains vitamin E and carotenoids.

As you can see, the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) in this product is quite high, like in olive oil. These substances help lower blood cholesterol levels and strengthen the walls of blood vessels, as well as reduce the risk of blood clots. Rapeseed oil is considered a product that is useful when following an anti-sclerotic diet. Many European doctors advise using it instead of olive oil for salad dressings. The main difference between these oils from each other is that the production of oil from olives is a rather costly process, and therefore the price of such a product is significantly higher. Meanwhile, in terms of taste, rapeseed oil is in no way inferior to olive oil.

Rapeseed oil, like all other types of oils, should be stored in a dark, cool place so that its beneficial properties are not lost. Under such conditions, it will stand for a long time without spoiling and without changing color and smell.

Currently, rapeseed oil, the harm of which, thanks to modern technologies, is practically reduced to zero, is considered a full-fledged food product. But a few decades ago, when the content of erucic acid in rapeseed was quite high, this oil was used only for industrial purposes (in particular, for the production of soap and drying oil) and was unsuitable for human consumption. Nowadays, the percentage of this acid has been reduced to almost zero, less than 0.2%, which does not affect the human body in any way. And soon, in new varieties of rapeseed, they promise to completely eliminate erucic acid and reduce the percentage of fatty acids. Therefore, rapeseed oil, the benefits of which have been proven above, is gaining popularity all over the world.

In this regard, rapeseed oil outperforms its counterparts, leaving behind the most common product in Russia - sunflower oil. After all, only the domestic market is saturated with this product of sunflower seeds, palm oil and linseed oil with rapeseed have long been used all over the world - they are more beneficial to health.

Rapeseed oil - its benefits and harms. Methods of using rapeseed oil in cosmetology and nutrition.

Technologies: options for obtaining rapeseed oil

Characteristic features: what is the use of rapeseed oil?

Based on the facts confirming how widespread rapeseed oil is in the world industry, we can talk about its beneficial characteristics. Perhaps it cannot be compared in usefulness with olive or sea buckthorn oil, but nevertheless, rapeseed oil can boast of the following properties:

1. First of all, rapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Needless to say, these elements indicate the ability of the oil to support the immune forces of the body, ensure decent work of the heart, blood vessels, brain, and also reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and coronary heart disease.

2. Rapeseed oil also contains a fairly high percentage of a female-type hormone called estradiol. The level of this hormone increases naturally with the onset of ovulation. The skin of a woman becomes radiant and clean, and the hair is elastic and strong.

3. Thanks to this vitamin complex, the risk of breast cancer in girls tends to zero.

4. Want to lose weight faster? In this, just rapeseed oil will become an assistant. It breaks down fats, lowers cholesterol, the metabolism is seriously accelerated. It can be eaten, complementing salads and other dishes.

5. Rapeseed oil is very often used as an element of any diet. It is rarely used on its own. For example, it is added to kefir or protein diets, and is also used as a dietary supplement during the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

6. On top of that, rapeseed oil will be appropriate in face masks or hair masks. It heals small wounds, scratches, burns, strengthens the hair structure, perfectly moisturizes the skin.

Contraindications to the use and potential harm of rapeseed oil

Rapeseed oil must be refined, as the crude liquid may contain a high percentage of erucic acid. It is not considered too useful for the animal or human body, as it may well slow down the process of growth and development, as well as puberty. In addition, due to the high percentage of erucic acid in rapeseed, a healthy person may experience problems in the cardiovascular system, disorders in the liver and kidneys. When buying rapeseed oil on your own, be sure to pay attention to the indicators of erucic acid: normally, they should not be more than 0.6%.

Of course, it is also worth mentioning the individual intolerance by individuals of various types of oils, including rapeseed. Allergy sufferers should not eat such a product, because there is a high risk of developing edema, suffocation, rashes and itching.

However, you can not eat salads, first or second courses containing rapeseed oil for women with biliary tract diseases, pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Moreover, it is forbidden to use rapeseed oil for those suffering from chronic diarrhea or hepatitis, because in this case it has a negative effect on the liver.

It is worth considering, among other things, some toxicity of rapeseed oil, which manifests itself during its heating. That is why nutritionists do not recommend eating too much of it, and even more so frying any food on it.

Rapeseed oil - oil obtained from rapeseed, can be attributed to one of the most widespread at the global level, its production is about 14% of the total production of vegetable oils.

Rapeseed is an annual plant from the Cruciferous family, it has been cultivated for more than 6 thousand years. This is a cold-resistant plant, it grows well in a temperate climate, but, according to most researchers, the homeland of rapeseed is the Mediterranean. Rapeseed plants are demanding on moisture.

Rapeseed root is taproot, grows to a depth of soil up to 2 meters, the stem is straight, covered with a bluish bloom, the rosette and stem leaves are different from each other. Relatively large flowers of rapeseed in inflorescence in the form of a brush are yellow or white. They contain a lot of nectar, therefore they are valued as honey plants.

Rapeseed pods are up to 10 cm long and up to 3 cm wide, they are smooth on the outside. In one pod there are up to 15-30 spherical black-brown seeds, up to 2.5 mm in diameter. Seeds ripen unevenly along the height of the plant, so they must be stored for some time before processing and ripen.

In agriculture, rapeseed is grown both as a winter crop and as a spring crop. In addition, this plant improves the structure and fertility of the soil on which it grows, enriches it with nitrogen. After sowing grain crops in this place, their yield increases.

Application of rapeseed oil

Rapeseed oil in its natural form is used for food, mayonnaise, margarine are made from it. By its properties, rapeseed oil approaches olive oil, it is transparent, does not deteriorate in the air for a long time, does not go rancid. The optimal ratio of physiologically important acids puts rapeseed oil in first place in terms of benefits compared to other vegetable oils.

It is possible to use rapeseed oil not only as a food product, but also as a raw material for a number of technical products. From it, an ester of fatty acids is obtained, which are able to reduce the cetane number of fuel and are used as biodiesel fuel.

The rubber industry, steel industry, lubricants, film production - this is not a complete list of the use of rapeseed oil for non-food purposes.

Waste obtained from the production of rapeseed oil (cake) is a good animal feed. But the green parts of rapeseed plants are highly valued in agriculture due to their high content of vegetable protein, they are given to animals fresh or in silage.

Benefits of rapeseed oil

Rapeseed oil has a pleasant taste. The use of rapeseed oil lies in the presence of essential amino acids in its composition, which are not synthesized in the human body - linoleic and linolenic.

Rapeseed oil contains a lot of vitamin E and A - natural antioxidants that protect cells from damage by oxygen radicals. In addition to them, rapeseed oil contains a lot of B vitamins.

The high content of trace elements in it indicates the significant benefits of rapeseed oil: calcium, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc. They are contained in rapeseed more than in soybean oil, and their digestibility from rapeseed oil is higher.

Rapeseed oil has a positive effect on metabolism, it reduces the content of "bad" cholesterol, prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, and prevents the development of breast cancer in women.

The use of rapeseed oil in cosmetology as part of masks or baths improves the health and appearance of the skin.

Harm of rapeseed oil

The harm of rapeseed oil lies in the presence of up to 50% erucic acid in traditional varieties of rapeseed. The peculiarity of this acid is that it is not able to be broken down by the enzymes of the body, therefore it accumulates in the tissues and contributes to growth retardation, delays the onset of puberty. Also, erucic acid leads to disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, causes cirrhosis of the liver and infiltration of skeletal muscles. The safe threshold for the content of this acid in oil is 0.3 - 0.6%.

In addition, the harm of rapeseed oil is caused by sulfur-containing organic compounds that have toxic properties - glycosinolates, thioglycosides and their derivatives. They negatively affect the thyroid gland and other organs, and give the oil a bitter taste.

Breeders have bred varieties of rapeseed in which the content of erucic acid and thioglycosides is minimal or completely reduced to zero. Bezeruk varieties (Spar, Agat, Promin) significantly reduced the harm of rapeseed oil.

The rapeseed variety Canola does not contain thioglycosides. The oil obtained from it is called canola oil, it is completely safe for humans, and it is used for frying, salad dressing, etc.

It is not recommended to use rapeseed oil with individual intolerance, with diarrhea, gallstone disease, chronic hepatitis, as it negatively affects the functioning of the liver and the entire digestive tract.