Temple University (Philadelphia – USA) has found that the consumption of canola or rapeseed oil is detrimental to brain health. According to the study, this widely used product hinders learning, inhibits memory and therefore worsens the symptoms of dementia. It can even cause Alzheimer’s .
The researchers analyzed two groups of mice that had been engineered to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Each group received a different diet, with one group following a standard diet, while the other was given an amount of canola oil equivalent to two tablespoons per day.
When the animals reached the age of one full year, they underwent body weight evaluation. The first results showed that the mice that consumed canola oil weighed more than the rest .
Later, another analysis was carried out, but this time on the influence on the behavior of the mice. This focused on three different areas: short-term memory, working memory and the learning capacity of rodents. They found that mice that consumed canola oil performed very poorly in all of these areas.
After conducting these tests, they studied the cerebral cortex of rodents to determine the effect of canola oil supplementation on cerebral amyloidosis .
Mice treated with canola oil had a significant reduction in Aβ 1-40 levels. This protein is the one that offers protection against Aβ 42/40 or beta-amyloid 42 , which is what damages our brain and causes Alzheimer’s disease. This decrease in protective proteins had caused remarkable neuronal damage, decreased neuronal contacts, and memory impairment in the mice.
Now scientists plan to determine whether the consumption of this oil affects the course of other diseases. According to one of the lead authors, “There is a possibility that consumption of canola oil may also affect the onset and course of other neurodegenerative diseases or other forms of dementia.”
A cheap product that is very expensive
The sale of canola oil has increased considerably in recent years due to its popular price . Globally, we are talking about the third best-selling vegetable oil after palm and soybean oil. In the United States it is one of the most widely used oils for human consumption.
Its composition is made up of genetically modified rapeseed. This oil has been considered a healthier option for cooking because it is low in saturated fat . Additionally, it has been shown to lower cholesterol compared to diets higher in saturated fat. However, this study shows that it is not as healthy as it has been promoted.
The researchers point out that more studies are needed to delve into the biological effects of this oil, since the data obtained is not enough to start a replacement campaign for this product . They ensure that the process of substituting canola oil for olive oil, the healthiest, would be very complicated, especially in non-Mediterranean areas.
