Canola oil

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Cholesterol and heart risk³

  In people, canola oil lowered total and LDL cholesterol compared with other cooking oils.

• Benefit

  Blood cholesterol levels⁴

  In people, eating canola oil instead of olive oil lowered LDL and total cholesterol.

• Benefit

  Belly fat and blood pressure⁵

  In people, canola oil diets reduced belly fat, which was linked to lower blood pressure.

• Open question

  Belly fat and weight⁶

  In people with type 2 diabetes, canola oil slightly changed body weight and belly fat, but the changes were small.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Heart health compared to olive oil⁷

  Scientists do not yet know whether canola oil gives the same heart benefits as olive oil.

• Benefit

  Cholesterol and heart health⁸

  Canola oil lowers total and LDL cholesterol and improves insulin sensitivity compared with other fats.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.