Content
The vegetable oil obtained by processing rapeseed is called rapeseed oil. It is not as popular as, for example, olive and sunflower, but it is quite common in stores. The product has a yellow consistency with a pleasant nutty flavor.
The benefits and harms of rapeseed oil require a more detailed consideration of its properties.
Production
Rapeseed oil is produced using a relatively simple technology, similar to the usual processes that are carried out when processing sunflower seeds in order to obtain products.
For the production of rapeseed oil, pre-processed rapeseeds, previously cleaned of various impurities and debris, are required. Then the raw materials are dried and pressed, after which the finished product is settled in the hopper, filtered, then the resulting solution is ready for bottling.
After pressing, the cake remains, which is deposited and used as an additive to pet food.
Kinds
In the last century, there were no problems when choosing vegetable oil, since there was only one thing - sunflower oil. Nowadays, the number of different types of oils can be confusing. They can be both refined and unrefined, and differ in composition depending on what seeds were used for production. There are oils made from olives, flax, walnut, coconut, grape seed and even pumpkin... Each of them differs both in taste and in terms of contraindications, benefits and harms.
Composition and calorie content
Rapeseed oil contains small amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium. The product is enriched with polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids that benefit the body. The calorie content of this oil is 898 kcal per 100 g of product. The composition of rapeseed oil contains large amounts of useful vitamins E, A and D.
Useful properties of rapeseed oil
Due to the content of many useful vitamins, the product has a positive effect on the state of the body. Vitamin A, which is part of the composition, is beneficial in maintaining eye health and increasing immunity. Vitamin D protects against rickets and a variety of skin diseases, and vitamin E is the main antioxidant that helps prevent cancer.
Poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids strengthen the walls of blood vessels, help to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood, and prevent the formation of blood clots that harm the body.
There is a high content of linolenic acid, which is necessary for the body, and due to its insufficient amount, vasoconstriction and impaired blood circulation occur.
Rapeseed oil in baby food
This oil is used in the production of baby food. Since it is not known exactly whether the product is capable of causing serious harm to the child's body, there are some contraindications regarding its addition to food.
Some pediatricians agree that even a small amount of harmful substances in the product can harm a child.
Use of rapeseed oil
Rapeseed oil has natural properties that allow it to be used in many industries, and the benefits of it are clearly visible. For example, the product is used to produce industrial lubricant materials. In cooking, margarine and cooking oil are made from it, and rapeseed oil is also used in cosmetology, medicine, including folk medicine.
In cosmetology
The oil has many useful properties, thanks to which it is widely used in cosmetology, it is also included in most products aimed at caring for the body and face.
If the skin is rough and too dry, we recommend products containing rapeseed oil, which has a beneficial effect. At home, it is permissible to add it to balms or lotions at the rate of 0.5 ml per 10 ml. The oil restores damaged skin.
If you need to get rid of dandruff or split ends, just add the product to the shampoo in a ratio of 1 to 10. The scalp will become softer, less dry, and the hair will acquire a shiny tint.
You can also use it instead of scrubs, because it has a gentle effect on the skin of the face, and does an excellent job of dissolving sebum, while not doing any harm. It is an excellent base for anti-aging masks, it helps to increase the level of collagen production, which allows you to eliminate wrinkles and makes the skin smoother.
In medicine
Rapeseed oil has the following health benefits:
- Thanks to vitamin E, the protection of cells is increased, and the risk of their destruction is reduced, which has a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system.
- The content of B vitamins contributes to the normalization of the exchange of organic components, and also improves the efficiency of the nervous system.
- Vitamin A strengthens the immune system and improves vision.
- Vitamin D protects against skin diseases, promotes skin healing.
- When carrying a fetus, it is recommended to add this product to the diet of expectant mothers, since it has a positive effect on the development of the embryo.
- Doctors recommend using rapeseed oil if you need to relieve stress and insomnia.
Among other things, rapeseed oil is often used in pharmacology for the preparation of injection solutions and agents with beneficial regenerative properties.
In cooking
Most often, oil is used for preparing salads. Rapeseed oil goes well with many salads, both vegetable and meat. It tastes like olive, instead of which you can serve. Salads seasoned with rapeseed oil are beneficial not only due to the vegetable composition, but also due to the impregnation with butyric acids.
Frying on it is not recommended, because the high temperature loses its beneficial properties.
The oil is very actively used in the production of margarine and mayonnaise.
Harm and contraindications
Despite the fact that rapeseed oil is prized for the benefits it provides, it contains, albeit harmless, but harmful substances.
First of all, contraindications are associated with the fact that the composition contains erucic acid. It is unable to be digested in the body, which is why it is absorbed into soft tissues and harms the body, delaying puberty and leading to some disorders.
Thioglycosides have mixed effects. On the one hand, their benefits lie in improving appetite and antimicrobial action, and on the other, they can cause harm, causing headaches and allergic reactions.These substances are destroyed during processing and purification of the product, but with them most of the useful components disappear.
Consumption is contraindicated for people who are obese, since the product contains fats that are poorly absorbed by the body, which, instead of being beneficial, can cause harm.
During heat treatment, the beneficial elements of rapeseed oil are destroyed, which entails the formation of harmful toxins, as a result of which it should not be added to hot dishes and used for frying.
How to choose and store
To buy rapeseed oil that will not cause harm, you must definitely pay attention to where it was produced and what is included in the composition. The label should contain readable information about how much erucic acid is in the product.
A good oil that will benefit should be slightly golden in color with a pleasant natural scent and should not settle.
Store in a cool, dark place after purchase to prevent cloudiness or oxidation. For better preservation of the natural properties of the product, it is recommended to pour it into glassware.
Reviews
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of rapeseed oil for the body quite often become the subject of discussion, but in general, we can say that it has beneficial properties and does not harm health, if there are no contraindications to its consumption. In addition, it is not recommended to use the product for frying. Buying a low-quality product can cause serious harm to the body, so you should be careful when choosing. Rapeseed oil has tremendous potential and is used not only in cooking, but also in many other industries.
