Rapeseed oil: useful properties and contraindications. Rapeseed oil is a domestic analogue of olive

Rapeseed is a cultivated plant, from the seeds of which a valuable plant product is obtained. The benefits and harms of rapeseed oil are well studied, which leads to its use in cooking, cosmetology, traditional and folk medicine.

A bit of history

The herbaceous plant rapeseed began to be cultivated 1500-2000 years ago. Until now, his homeland is not exactly known: some believe that it is Northern India, others are convinced that it is the Mediterranean. Another name for rapeseed oil is "northern olive", or " northern olive". After all, in terms of taste and useful composition the herbal remedy is close to olive oil, but costs a little less.

Initially natural product used only for technical purposes. Rapeseed oil was produced for the automotive industry as a lubricant, and was also used in soap making, when creating textiles, and for lighting rooms. It was not eaten due to high percentage harmful compound - erucic acid. This substance is considered a poison: the human body is not able to break it down, which leads to the deposition of acid in the body, provokes the occurrence of certain diseases.

In the early 70s, breeders from Canada brought new variety rapeseed, in which the content of the harmful compound was reduced to 2%. After that, the valuable liquid began to be used as food.

Now the popularity of rapeseed oil is increasing. The product is widely known in Europe and the USA, however, in Russia, an oily plant is treated with caution and caution. Culture gained its distribution due to the cheapness of production, its non-waste. Let's find out whether rapeseed oil brings harm or benefit.

Valuable composition

Rapeseed oil is a yellowish or brownish liquid. It tastes like olive oil, has a nutty smell. The calorie content of the product is high and amounts to 900 kcal per 100 g. beneficial features due to the following components in its composition.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are Omega-3 and Omega-6, called vitamin F. These acids are not produced by the body on its own, but are necessary for its proper functioning. The complex supports fat metabolism, reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood, therefore, with sufficient intake of these fatty acids in the body, the risk of developing atherosclerosis and diseases of the cardiovascular system is significantly reduced. They also help strengthen nervous system, improve immunity.
Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant needed to maintain beauty, youth and health. Deficiency of this substance adversely affects the state of the reproductive system, hair, nails and skin.
Tocopherols, carotenoids.
Vitamins A, D, K, group B.
Trace elements - zinc, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper.

It is interesting!
Vitamin E in 1 tbsp. l. contains a lot of natural healing agent - 30% daily requirement organism.

B vitamins are responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous system, affect the functioning immune system. They are necessary at high loads, emotional and mental, during stress and during chronic diseases. Vitamin A keeps vision normal, is responsible for immunity, vitamin D helps skin wounds, abrasions and scratches heal faster, protects against damage to the skin. Vitamin K is responsible for blood clotting processes.

Benefits of using the product

Due to its balanced composition, rapeseed oil has a beneficial effect on many organs and processes in the human body.

Improves heart function, contributes to the normal activity of the liver, pancreas and kidneys.
It has a positive effect on digestion, plays the role of a mild laxative.
It occupies an important place in the process of fat metabolism, reduces the level of bad cholesterol.
It has a regenerating effect on the skin.
It removes toxins, toxic substances and other harmful compounds from the body.
Increases immunity, helps protect against viral infections and bacteria.
Has pain relieving properties.
Improves the condition of blood vessels, making them strong, reduces the likelihood of thrombosis.
Stimulates the formation of collagen fibers, giving the skin smoothness, making it smooth and elastic, removes mimic wrinkles.
Keeps beautiful appearance hair, skin, improves their internal "well-being".

The use of oil for the female body is of great benefit due to the high level of the hormone estradiol. It plays an important role in the readiness of a woman's body to conceive a baby, protects against some gynecological problems. Also, the element normalizes the disturbed hormonal background, improves menstrual cycle, reduces pain and unpleasant symptoms during menopause and before menstruation.

Application in cosmetology

Use rapeseed oil for cosmetic purposes and how independent remedy, and as an additional component of homemade masks and creams. Compositions based on it soften, moisturize and nourish the skin. A valuable liquid brings tired and overdried skin. It is also practiced to use the product for the beauty of curls, giving them shine and softness.

Here are some common recipes for hair and skin.

Nourishing hair mask

Rub rapeseed oil into the hair roots and scalp with massaging light movements, cover the hair with a cap, put a towel on top. Leave the mask for half an hour, then remove with warm water and shampoo. Sessions are held twice a month.

Mask to eliminate dandruff

Add rapeseed oil to a ready-made shampoo (10 ml of oil per 100 ml of product). Wash your hair with this solution. As a result, the scalp will become soft and moisturized, dandruff will disappear.

Revitalizing bath

Take warm milk (200-250 ml), coarse sea salt (2 tablespoons), soda, a couple of drops essential oil lavender and rapeseed oil (2 tablespoons). Mix everything thoroughly, pour into the bath, lie down and relax. It is necessary to take a bath for no more than 20 minutes, and then stand under a contrast shower.

Application in medicine

The healing properties of rapeseed oil allow it to be used to improve the body and maintain it in proper shape. It is taken orally, used as compresses, is part of home and pharmacy ointments for healing skin lesions.

Ingestion

To strengthen the body every day in the morning, 60-90 minutes before the first meal, you need to consume 1-2 tsp. natural remedy.

For healing wounds, minor cuts, abrasions and burns

Gently lubricate the affected area 4 times a day.

Joint treatment

Prepare a compress: apply oil on gauze or a clean piece of cloth, apply to the sore spot for several hours.

Use in cooking

Rapeseed oil is excellent for dressing salads, first and second courses, and only in a cold or slightly heated form in a water bath.

A feature of the oil of a cultivated plant is the release of toxic substances when heated. Therefore, you should use it in cooking, but do not fry food on it.

Valuable Product Selection

For those wishing to purchase rapeseed oil, here are the main criteria right choice product.

With the opacity of the liquid, the presence of sediment at the bottom of the container, you should refuse to buy oil. This indicates the low quality of raw materials, their unsuitability for human consumption.
Carefully read the label on the bottle: the concentration of erucic acid should be no more than 0.5%.
It is necessary to choose only oil that has passed all stages of processing - refined.
If the package says that the product is hydrogenated, then you should not purchase the product.
The normal color of the oily liquid is from golden to light brown. The pale shade of the product indicates its low quality.

It is necessary to store the oil of a cultivated plant in glassware with tight-fitting lid. It is necessary to put the container in a dark, cool place without the risk of direct sunlight. So all the valuable properties of racial oil will last as long as possible.

Potential harm and contraindications

Unrefined rapeseed oil can be dangerous to the body. The crude liquid contains erucic acid in large quantities. It accumulates in tissues and can lead to unpleasant consequences:

problems in the work of the heart;
deterioration of the liver, in the worst cases - to the development of cirrhosis;
growth retardation, disruption in the development of the reproductive system.

It is important to observe the norm in the use of rapeseed oil. Any product in unlimited quantities can adversely affect the functioning of the body.

Contraindications to the use of oil are:

acute stage of gallstone disease;
the period of exacerbation of hepatitis in a chronic form;
cholecystitis;
personal intolerance to the components.

It is necessary to introduce rapeseed oil into the diet carefully because of the possibility of developing allergic reactions to New Product(suffocation, swelling, itching and rashes). With a tendency to diarrhea, it is better to refuse a natural remedy.

The benefits of rapeseed oil far exceed possible harm. When consumed in small quantities, the golden liquid will saturate the body. useful compounds, will strengthen its protective functions.

Rapeseed, or "northern olive", as it is also called, oil is extracted from rapeseed seeds. This crop is widely used for the production of vegetable oil and margarine. The benefits and harms of rapeseed oil have long been studied, the benefits of this product have long made it popular among people around the world.

Today, rapeseed fields occupy about 2% of the total area of plowed fields in the world. The plant has become so widespread for three reasons:

Cheap production.
Waste-free production: after squeezing, cake remains, which is used as animal feed.
Scientists are trying to use rapeseed oil as a fuel.

A bit of history

People cultivated rape 1500 years ago. Opinions are divided: some believe that the homeland of the plant is Northern India, and some - the Mediterranean.

Despite the fact that rapeseed is one of the first plants that people began to consciously grow for their needs, until the 70s of the last century, they tried not to eat products from it. They contained a large number of erucic acid, which, in fact, is a poison for the body. We are not able to break down this acid, which leads to its accumulation in the body and causes some diseases.

In the 70s of the XX century, a plant variety containing no more than 2% of this poison was selected in Canada. This amount makes the food suitable for human consumption. Of course, a considerable part of the population used rapeseed oil in cooking before, but after sharp increase quality of the product, the demand for it has become huge. The oil spread throughout America and Europe. The market has expanded to the Far and Middle East: in just 30 years, China has occupied 1/4 of the market for the production of this product. In Germany, 70-80% of citizens eat rapeseed oil, and in European countries this product has generally become officially considered medicine.

Rapeseed oil: benefits and harms

Benefit

The general composition of the product is optimally balanced and, in terms of properties, resembles the well-known to everyone. A tablespoon of rapeseed oil contains a large amount of monounsaturated fats - as much as 8.2 grams - and 30% of the daily value of vitamin E. Also, the composition contains poly- and monounsaturated acids Omega 3, 6 and 9, which are important for the body. They are not synthesized by the body on its own. What are they needed for? These acids affect the functioning of the circulatory system:

slow down the thinning of the walls of blood vessels;
prevent the formation of blood clots;
which also prevent the total accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels.

For example, a lack of Omega 6, or linoleic acid, in the body often leads to serious malfunctions in the heart: heart attacks and strokes. Eating rapeseed oil is able to maintain the amount of this substance at the required level.

Vitamin E, in turn, is a powerful antioxidant and immunomodulator. It supports the protective functions of the body.

Rapeseed oil also improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Rapeseed oil: properties especially beneficial for women

The use of the product brings especially many benefits to ladies.

The oil is used in cosmetology and dermatology: it can significantly improve the appearance of the skin, moisturizing and nourishing it.
The hormone estradiol contained in the product exactly corresponds to a special female hormone, which is also called the “health hormone”. It helps to reduce the potential risk of breast cancer, and also enhances maternal functions of the body, such as a woman's ability to become a mother and bear a healthy child.

Harm

The only, but very serious, disadvantage of rapeseed oil is the presence of erucic acid in it. It has a destructive effect both on the body as a whole and on the work of individual organs and systems: the liver, heart and bone tissues. As we have already said, in the last century a new variety of rapeseed was bred, in which the presence of this poison is minimal, this oil can be eaten without fear. However, you need to choose the product in the store carefully enough.

How to choose a good rapeseed oil?

To choose an oil that will only benefit the body, you need to follow a few simple principles. Before the purchase:

Look at the bottom of the bottle: if there is sediment in it, then the product is of poor quality.
The content of erucic acid should be minimal: from 0.3 to 0.6%. This data is printed on the label. Usually, any product that has been refined has normal indicators, so you need to choose refined oil.
If the label says that the oil is hydrogenated, then it is better not to take it: such a product has an unstable molecular structure and will not bring any benefits.
The color should be a clear amber yellow.

After buying, be sure to check the oil for smell: a good product has a pleasant nutty flavor.

Storage

The wonderful qualities of the oil are best preserved in glass containers. Even if you bought the liquid in plastic bottle, at home it is better to pour it into glass jar and close hermetically.

It is better to store the oil in a dark, cool place, protecting it from sunlight. Of course, nothing bad will happen to the product, but the liquid may become cloudy and lose its delicate aroma. In addition, vitamin E is best preserved in a place inaccessible to light.

Application in food

Rapeseed oil, like olive oil, is best for salad dressings. It is not recommended to fry and bake on it, as toxic substances are formed in it at temperatures above 160 degrees.

Rapeseed oil in all its qualities is not inferior to olive oil, has a pleasant smell and taste, and is much cheaper. It is worth thinking about using it for your culinary delights!

The content of the article:

Rapeseed oil is a type of vegetable oil that is obtained from herbaceous plant Cabbage family - rapeseed (Brassica napus), namely from its seeds. Despite the fact that the culture has been known for more than 6 thousand years, in wild she almost never occurs. 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. Wide application rapeseed received in the food industry.

Composition and calorie content of rapeseed oil

Rapeseed oil is undeservedly deprived of attention by housewives and those who lead a healthy lifestyle. A more detailed study of the composition of this product will help to verify this.

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

Fats - 99.9 g;
Water - 0.1 g.

Despite the fact that rapeseed oil is very high in calories, it contains a large number of vital components.

A lot of useful properties of rapeseed are included in the vitamin composition of the product. 100 g of oil contains 126% daily allowance consumption of vitamin E, which improves vision, 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, bone fragility, 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 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 the synthesis of enzymes, and normalizes healthy muscle contraction.

The following acids are also present in the oil:

palmitic. Participates in the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are responsible for the regeneration and beauty of the skin. Is the main component breast milk. Starts the processes of digestion, helps in the absorption of calcium.
Stearic. Synthesized from palmitic acid, it is an energy storage, but at the same time provokes an increase in the number of cholesterol plaques.
Oleic. Resists the occurrence of neoplasms, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous and cardiac systems.
Linoleic. Accelerates growth processes, regulates hormonal levels and water balance, speeds up metabolism.
Linolenic. Reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, supports brain activity.
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

Few people can call such a high-calorie product useful. And very in vain. The composition of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as acids makes it possible to have an extremely positive effect on the human body. Regularly consuming oil in reasonable amounts, you will feel the benefits of rapeseed in the following health effects:

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 simple things can lead to depression much more often. life circumstances and malnutrition. An oil rich in 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 in more rapeseed oil protects women - them 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 leaching useful 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 prone to time and harmful effects. environment(wind, sun, bad 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

However, this product has not only useful, but also harmful properties. The harm of rapeseed, as mentioned above, lies in the content of erucic acid in it.

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 least amount of this component, but we do not recommend completely ignoring the danger.

Children. Can cause significant damage to the liver and the entire imperfect digestive system of the child.
Teenagers. risk in violation hormonal background and interventions in the process of puberty.
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.
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

To minimize the harm of erucic acid, you need to learn how to choose the right rapeseed oil. The label must contain information about how much acid is in the product. The norm is an indicator from 0.3% to 0.6%. If higher, we do not recommend using such oil for food.

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, it can also be used for food preparation. 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

Vegetable oil, which we are talking about today, adds spice to dishes, making them more tender and fragrant. We bring to your attention magnificent recipes that will be appreciated even by the most sophisticated gourmet:

winter soup. Great option first course for a cold winter evening. Pour 2 tablespoons into a deep saucepan sunflower oil, fry on them a finely chopped large onion and 2 carrots grated 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 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 leek rings in olive oil, add 2 tablespoons 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. Cover 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 again hot fish rapeseed oil, this will give her incredible flavor. 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.

Rapeseed oil is called "Russian olive oil" due to the similarity of its components, but in many respects our oil is superior to the Mediterranean one.

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 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.

AT last years the production of biofuels from rapeseed, as well as the preparation of technical - lubricating and hydraulic oils, has been developed.

Watch the video about rapeseed oil:

What you prefer - seeds, oil or honey - is up to you, but if you are not familiar with rapeseed, you should definitely get acquainted. lovely taste qualities will amaze you at the very beginning of the acquaintance, and the healing effect will be a great addition to the gastronomic delicacy.

Half a century ago, rapeseed oil was used exclusively for technical purposes, having proven itself as a raw material for the chemical, leather and soap industries. This was explained by the high content of erucic acid in the product, which is not excreted from the human body and does not break down. Its accumulation leads to the development of many diseases, the most common of which is oncology. However, at the end of the last century, Canadian farmers were able to breed rapeseed varieties, the oil of which contains no more than 2% erucic acid. Nowadays, this figure fluctuates at the level of 0.4-0.6%, which allows the use of rapeseed oil for culinary purposes.

Rape was cultivated in antiquity. In India and the Mediterranean, it was cultivated as early as the 4th century BC. e. Raw rapeseed oil was too bitter and unsuitable for food, but it gave a smokeless flame and was suitable for lighting dwellings.

In Europe, the plant began to be sown in the 18th century for use in leather and textile production, and soap making. With the creation of steam engines, rapeseed oil began to be used as a lubricant.

Attempts to sell rapeseed oil as a food product were unsuccessful for a long time: bitterness, pungent odor and greenish color repelled potential consumers. And medical tests indicated the content of hazardous substances. Claims against rapeseed oil were based on the high content of erucic acid and glucosinolates, which can harm the body.

And only in 1978, through the efforts of Canadian breeders, it was possible to develop a variety of canola rapeseed, the oil of which was distinguished by a reduced level of erucic acid, glucosinolates and chlorophyll (responsible for the green color).

The cultivation of rapeseed does not require special conditions. He feels good in any climatic zones and at the same time increases soil fertility. This is a wonderful honey plant. The process of making rapeseed oil is cheap, leaves no waste, because the cake is used for animal feed. All this made it possible to increase the popularity of the product and put it on a par with the leaders of world trade: palm, soybean and sunflower oil.

Production of safe rapeseed oil

When buying rapeseed oil, you should be aware that it contains components that are harmful and dangerous to humans - thioglucosides and erucic acid. Due to the presence of such substances, oil has long been used only for technical purposes. It was used in the textile industry, leather business, as a technical lubricant and in the manufacture of drying oil.

The breakthrough came in the 1960s. At this time, scientists managed to develop a variety, the content of harmful elements in which was minimized. Finally, rapeseed oil was recognized as harmless in 1985 and since then it has become very popular. Today, China and Canada are considered the leading producers. The variety of oil suitable for ingestion is called Canola. Also, when buying, you can find products made in France, Poland, Czech Republic, England, Denmark, Finland.

Rapeseed oil is made by pressing. The method of extraction is also relevant. A refined product with a natural smell is popular on sale. You can also find an unrefined product. When purchasing a product, pay attention to the composition, which should not contain more than 5% erucic acid and 3% thioglucosides.

The taste and smell of rapeseed oil has much in common with olive oil. Unlike soybean and sunflower oil, rapeseed oil does not lose its taste and aroma for a long time during long-term storage.

Composition of rapeseed oil

Rape does not grow wild in nature. But it has been cultivated in culture for more than 5 thousand years. Long time the scope of the plant was limited technical area. Rapeseed oil has been used to produce biological fuel, 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, 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. We note the most useful of them:

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

The benefits of the product also depend on the 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.

Useful properties of rapeseed oil

First of all, it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and circulatory system. Omega acids strengthen blood vessels and reduce the likelihood of blood clots. They also contribute to the full functioning of organs such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas and brain. Besides:

The oil helps to reduce the level of cholesterol, which provokes the occurrence of atherosclerosis.
Vitamin B strengthens the nervous system, vitamin A has a beneficial effect on vision, vitamin F promotes fat metabolism.
Vitamin E - an antioxidant, immunomodulator - performs protective functions, helps to maintain beauty and youth, as well as improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair.
Rapeseed oil is also good for the digestive system. It has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces the acidity of gastric juice and produces a slight laxative effect.
Rapeseed oil has a particularly beneficial effect on the female body due to the fact that it contains the hormone estradiol, which helps in the treatment of gynecological diseases and the fight against infertility.
It is good to take this product for pregnant women for the normal development of the fetus. The oil is also valuable for children, therefore it is increasingly used for baby food for the production of various products.

In folk medicine, it is also used externally in the form of compresses and baths for diseases of the joints, lubricates wounds and burns. In cosmetology, masks and creams based on rapeseed oil for hands and face are used, which have nourishing, moisturizing and regenerating properties. And it also reduces hangover and intoxication in case of poisoning.

Benefits for women

It is especially useful for women to include rapeseed oil in the diet, it is a prophylactic for breast cancer.

Medical studies have shown that the product contains estradiol, a plant analogue of the female sex hormone. This is the most important hormone for any woman, since it is responsible for the readiness of the body to conceive children.

Oil in cosmetology

The properties of rapeseed oil allowed it to become effective tool from dermatology and cosmetology. The product perfectly moisturizes, nourishes, restores and softens the skin. Helps to get rid of wrinkles.

To improve the condition of the skin of the face, add a quarter teaspoon to a glass of milk. baking soda and sea salt, a teaspoon of starch and a couple of tablespoons of rapeseed oil. Apply two to three drops of lavender oil. Stir and make a mask for 20 minutes. The procedure is excellent for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
From problem skin, you can make a bath with this composition, it has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, makes the skin tender.
For eyelashes. Daily lubrication of the cilia will allow them to quickly become thick and strong. They fall out less, because the remedy strengthens the bulb.

Mask for dry skin

Mix oils: rapeseed - 1 tbsp. l.; sandalwood - 1 drop; orange - 1 drop; rosewood - 1 drop. Using a cotton pad, spread the composition over the face and rest for 15 minutes. Remove excess with warm water, apply cream. The mask will saturate the dermis with vitamins and microelements, retain moisture.

Whitening composition

You will need: rape seed oil - 1 tsp; lemon juice - 1 tsp; hercules flakes - ½ cup; egg white - 1 pc. Grind oatmeal with a blender, add the remaining ingredients and gently spread the mixture over your face. It is better to do this while lying down so that the mask does not leak. Regular use will whiten freckles, age spots, make the skin tone even.

Acne remedy

It is necessary to take oils: rapeseed - 2 tbsp. l.; cloves - 2 drops; cedar - 1 drop; lavender - 1 drop. Dot the composition at night on problem areas. It will dry the skin, relieve inflammation, draw out pus. Promotes healing of post-acne scars.

Homemade lip balm

You will need oils: rapeseed - 1 tsp; shi - 2 tbsp. l ... Combine the components in a convenient jar with a lid, stirring vigorously until completely dissolved in each other. The composition is rich in regenerating and moisturizing vitamins. Apply to lips in frosty, windy weather to protect them from environmental aggressors. Use to heal cracks, with peeling. Store in a cold place.

Luxurious bath for velvety body skin

Fill the bathroom hot water and add: rapeseed oil - 2 tbsp. l.; cream - 1 glass; soda - 1 tbsp. l.; sea iodized salt - ¼ cup; essential tincture of lavender - 3 drops. Take a bath for 20 minutes. Then rinse under warm shower. The skin after the procedure is soft and tender, pleasant to the touch.

Revitalizing hair treatment

Take: rapeseed oil - 5 gr; hair conditioner - 50 ml. Mix the ingredients and apply to damp, washed hair. Massage, rinse with warm water. With regular use, the curls will become thicker, the ends will stop splitting.

Composition for adding shine to curls

It is necessary to take liquid vitamin A and mix with oils: rapeseed - 1 tbsp. l.; avocado - 1 tbsp. l.; rosemary - 5 drops. Distribute the composition through the hair, rub into the roots of the bulbs, comb. Put on a warming cap and keep it on your hair for 2 hours, then rinse the curls with shampoo. The mask improves the condition of the hair, treats it, saturates it with nutrients and gives shine.

How to choose?

Therefore, if you decide to try using rapeseed oil, you need to learn how to choose it. First of all, look at the label: it should indicate the content of erucic acid - 0.3-0.6% is considered the norm. Also, the label may indicate that the oil is hydrogenated - if this is the case, it is not worth buying.

The smell of the oil should be pleasant, and the color should be light yellow, or just with a yellow tint, and there should be no sediment in the bottle - this means that the oil has oxidized and rancid. At home, rapeseed oil is stored in a cool, dark place, otherwise it will become cloudy and oxidize - the presence of sediment in the bottle often indicates improper storage.

Although it is said that rapeseed oil can be used for frying, it is better not to do this: when heated, dangerous compounds are formed in it, and at a temperature of 160-170 ° C, toxins appear. Inhaling smoke from a frying pan can increase your chance of developing lung cancer.

Rapeseed oil in baby food

Now on the shelves of stores you can increasingly find baby food products containing rapeseed oil. Many believe that this product is better not to use in baby food, because some substances are not completely digested. But, despite this, nutritionists are convinced that the minimum amount of rapeseed does not give any harm to children. On the contrary, it is rich in vitamins and fatty acids. Without these substances, neither a child's nor an adult body is able to function normally. Oil is necessary, it will provide the body with valuable substances, such oil is especially useful for children of the first year of life who are bottle-fed.

Another question is that you need to carefully study the information indicated on baby food packages, if the percentage of oil does not exceed 31 units, then it cannot harm the little man, but on the contrary, according to scientists from Germany, it will be absolutely safe.

Harm of rapeseed oil

Until now, there is an opinion that rapeseed oil is an oil used for technical purposes, and that is why many people avoid it and do not use this valuable product in their diet. Indeed, several decades ago, rapeseed oil was not used in nutrition due to its high content of erucic acid. In the human body, there are no enzymes that can break down this substance, so erucic acid accumulates in tissues, which leads to disturbances in the functioning of many organs. In addition, in this vegetable oil contains toxic sulfur compounds.

However, back in the 70s of the last century, breeders bred varieties of rapeseed, from which oil is obtained containing no more than 0.2% erucic acid (the permissible value for edible rapeseed oil is 0.3–0.6%), and the content of sulfur compounds and completely reduced to zero. Therefore, today rapeseed oil is recognized as completely safe, it can be safely used in the diet of both adults and children.

Rapeseed oil, whose use is known in the food industry, is made from the seeds of an agricultural plant. Increasingly large sown areas are allotted for rapeseed. Therefore, it is interesting for what purposes the products are used and what is their value.

Rapeseed oil: benefits, harms

Until the 1960s, it was used only for technical purposes. So what is it - rapeseed oil - a technological or food product?

A decade later, Canadian agronomists created a new variety of rapeseed, which they began to use as a food additive. This oil is marketed under the name Canola.

Rapeseed oil is no worse than sunflower oil. It contains beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 acids. The balance between them is 1:2, and this is almost an ideal ratio, according to scientists. In addition, the refined product includes a number of such vitamins: A, D, E. To provide the body daily dose vitamin E, it is enough to use 1 tbsp. l. rapeseed oil per day.

Find out what useful properties rapeseed oil has:

Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, and therefore reduces the likelihood of stroke and heart attack.
Tones blood vessels, stops the process of thrombosis.
Strengthens the immune system and improves eyesight.
It has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects.
Antioxidants in the composition fight free radicals, therefore they resist the development of tumors.
Accelerates metabolism, promotes healthy metabolism.
Tones muscles, prevents aging.

The harm of rapeseed oil lies in the content of erucic acid. It is important to understand that recycling technologies remove almost all harmful substances. But this does not give a 100% guarantee. Here's what's wrong with erucic acid:

inhibits the development of the body, disrupts the formation of bones and tissues;
negatively affects reproductive function;
provokes heart disease;
a high concentration of glucosinolate leads to poisoning.

Rapeseed oil: where it is applied

In its usual form, oil is added to food, it becomes the basis of mayonnaise and margarine. The product is stored for a long time, and does not become bitter over time.

Rapeseed oil can be used both for frying and dressing cold dishes. Oleic acid in the composition does not form carcinogens.

In addition, the products are used in cosmetology for the manufacture of masks. Such home remedies help to strengthen hair, give it shine and restore a healthy look. Anti-inflammatory properties help fight acne.

Pharmacologists have evaluated the beneficial effects of the oil. Therefore, the product becomes the basis for therapeutic ointments and injections.

From rapeseed oil, fatty esters are produced, which are indispensable for biodiesel fuel, a lubricant material. The textile and rubber industries also cannot do without this product. Even plant waste (cake) does not go to waste, but is used as animal feed.

To get the most nutrients, buy rapeseed oil correctly. Stick to these principles:

Carefully inspect the contents of the bottle, there should be no impurities.
Study the composition. The capacity of erucic acid should not exceed 0.3-0.6%.
Buy products in a light amber color.
Don't take hydrogenated oil. Its unstable molecular basis will not give a positive effect.

It is best to keep the oil in glass bottles or banks. Make sure that the container is not exposed to sunlight, store it in a dark and cool room.

Demand creates supply. Today, rapeseed oil is increasingly gaining market share.

Having studied its benefits and harms, you can make an informed choice. Buy quality products and saturate the body with useful substances.