Canola oil has been marketed for years as a healthier alternative to vegetable oil, and the perception has often been that it shares many of the health benefits commonly associated with olive oil. However, a recent study indicates that it might not actually be as healthy as some portray it to be.
Researchers analyzing canola oil found that its long-term usage can be linked to obesity, memory impairment, and other negative effects on the brain. The study was performed by researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In the study, scientists divided mice with Alzheimer’s into two groups. One group was given a diet supplemented with two tablespoons of canola oil per day, while the other group was provided with a normal diet for control purposes. The mice were studied for six months, until they reached one year in age.
When the mice on the canola oil diet reached one-year-old, they gained weight and had heavily impaired memories compared to the mice in the control group. A biochemical analysis of their brains indicated they had reduced synaptic integrity, meaning the transmission of impulses between nerve cells did not function as well. This type of synapse functionality loss is often associated with the cognitive decline seen in those with Alzheimer’s disease.
This contrasts greatly from studies on diets rich in olive oil. Olive oil has shown to improve memory and heart health and lower the risk of obesity when regularly consumed in moderation.
This is just one more reason why people who have not already implemented extra virgin olive oil into their regular diets should seriously consider doing so. The numerous benefits of an olive oil-rich diet cannot be ignored.
My Olive Tree not only makes a high-quality olive oil but also supports the local Israel economy. In a nation that is beset with poverty, the importance of this support cannot be understated.
Your purchase ensures that we can continue to fill the deserts of Israel with olive trees and provide agricultural jobs to people in need. For more information about our oil and our humanitarian aid initiatives, contact us today at My Olive Tree.