Rapeseed is one of the crops that is massively grown and exported from Ukraine to other countries. Despite the widespread use of rapeseed in our fields, rapeseed oil has not gained popularity in the grocery baskets of Ukrainians. But are we ignoring it in vain, and perhaps the oil from this plant is better than ordinary sunflower oil?
Let's look at what rapeseed oil is, the benefits and harms of this product, and what is the difference between refined and unrefined oil.
What is the benefit of rapeseed oil?
A study conducted in China shows that rapeseed oil contains a significant amount of tocopherols, vitamins of group E. These substances can reduce the risk of developing degenerative diseases that affect the nervous system and muscles.
Tocopherols can prevent atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. Rapeseed oil is recommended for use by patients with Alzheimer's disease.
In addition, the oil is rich in quercetin, which has several beneficial health properties, in particular, reduces inflammation, coagulation, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. The squalene component in rapeseed oil protects the liver from various dysfunctions. The oil contains a low content of saturated fats and has an advantage over other types of oil, which have a high concentration of these elements.
Refined and unrefined rapeseed oil: which one is better to choose
Refined and unrefined rapeseed oil have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on personal preferences and needs.
Unrefined rapeseed oil is an oil in its natural state that does not undergo additional processing. This means that it contains more nutrients because it is not lost during the purification process. However, it also has a shorter shelf life compared to refined oil.
Refined rapeseed oil undergoes a purification and refining process, which leads to the removal of dirt, odors, and harmful substances, but at the same time loses some nutrients. It has a longer shelf life and is more resistant to high temperatures.
Both types of oil contain approximately the same concentrations of omega-3 and omega-6 fats. However, it should be borne in mind that unrefined rapeseed oil can start burning at high temperatures, while refined can withstand high temperatures without it.
So, if a higher concentration of nutrients is important to you and you are ready to consume oil faster, then unrefined rapeseed oil may be the best choice. At the same time, if a long shelf life and resistance to high temperatures are more important for you, then you should choose refined rapeseed oil.
Is it possible to replace sunflower oil with rapeseed oil
Although we are usually used to sunflower oil, however, rapeseed oil also deserves our attention. Let's figure out which is better: sunflower or rapeseed oil.
Rapeseed oil has almost no odor of its own, so it can be used in various dishes. The content of harmful saturated fats in rapeseed oil is about 8%, in sunflower oil – 10%.
We all know the characteristic smell and taste of sunflower oil, which is impossible to confuse. However, in some dishes, this flavor may be too expressive, so it is not always suitable for all dishes.
Regarding nutrients, sunflower oil does not lag behind rapeseed oil. It is also rich in vitamin E and other beneficial substances. It's just a matter of which flavor is more to your liking – more saturated or almost absent.
It is important to remember that sunflower oil burns faster than rapeseed oil, so it is better to use rapeseed oil for frying. However, for salad dressing, it does not matter which of these types you prefer.