Canola oil and heart risk factors in controlled trials
What it found
In adults, canola oil lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol more than other cooking oils.
The biggest benefit came when it made up about 15% of daily calories.
What they found
Studies in people
Cholesterol versus other oils
Compared to other edible oils, canola oil lowered total cholesterol by 0.27 mmol/l across 37 studies. It also lowered LDL cholesterol by 0.23 mmol/l across 35 studies.
Cholesterol versus olive oil
When compared directly to olive oil, canola oil lowered total cholesterol by 0.23 mmol/l in 9 studies. It also lowered LDL cholesterol by 0.17 mmol/l in those same 9 studies.
Cholesterol versus sunflower oil
Compared to sunflower oil, canola oil lowered LDL cholesterol by 0.14 mmol/l across 11 studies.
Cholesterol versus saturated fats
Replacing saturated fats with canola oil lowered total cholesterol by 0.59 mmol/l in 11 studies. It also lowered LDL cholesterol by 0.49 mmol/l in 10 studies.
Best amount to use
A dose-response analysis showed the greatest benefits when canola oil replaced about 15% of total daily calorie intake.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that canola oil improved several heart-related risk markers compared to other edible oils in adults.
- The authors advise that more well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm how different amounts affect these outcomes.
How it was done
Canola oil is a plant-based oil that might improve several markers linked to heart disease. The authors wanted to compare its effects on blood fats, blood sugar, inflammation, and blood pressure against other edible oils in adults.
They gathered controlled clinical trials published up to January 2020 that compared canola oil with other edible oils in adults. Forty-two articles met their criteria for inclusion.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These trials measured blood markers rather than actual heart attacks or strokes. They cannot show whether canola oil prevents heart disease itself.
- The trials compared groups at set points in time. They cannot show what happens over many years of eating canola oil.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no other potential personal or financial conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran; University of British Columbia, Canada
The paper
- Title
- The effects of Canola oil on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis with dose-response analysis of controlled clinical trials
- Type
- Systematic review and meta-analysisThe authors follow a set, published method to find every relevant study, then combine the numbers from them into one result.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Amiri M, Raeisi-Dehkordi H, Sarrafzadegan N, Forbes SC, Salehi-Abargouei A (2020). The effects of Canola oil on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis with dose-response analysis of controlled clinical trials. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2020.06.007PubMed 33127255DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error