Busting Rumours

In response to reader concerns, Katherine Brooking, M.S., R.D., explains to WebMD why canola oil is not harmful. “Part of the confusion stems from the notion that canola oil is produced directly from the rapeseed plant,” she explains. “However, scientists used traditional plant breeding to eliminate the undesirable components of rapeseed, specifically erucic acid and glucosinolates, and the result is a very different plant — canola.” She notes studies have shown that canola oil is not only safe, it may have significant health benefits. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a qualified health claim on canola oil’s ability to reduce the risk of heart disease when used in place of saturated fat.