Can rapeseed oil replace olive oil?

What is it about?

Rapeseed oil is increasingly touted as being as healthy as olive oil. But is there good evidence for this? In a new article published in the British Journal of Nutrition , Dr Richard Hoffman, from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, reviews the evidence for the health benefits of rapeseed oil in comparison with olive oil.

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Why is it important?

Although rapeseed oil is rich in "good" fats there is very limited evidence that this translates into a real reduction in disease risk. By contrast, the evidence for the health benefits of virgin olive oil is very strong, and this may be linked to the high levels of antioxidants in the oil; unfortunately these are lacking in rapeseed oil. So the conclusion from this study is that though it costs a little more, virgin olive oil is healthier and gives you more protection against disease.