Avocado and camelina oils: their benefits

See beyond olive oil - avocado and camelina oils new flavours and unique health benefits.

The battle against fats has taken a crucial turn in recent years, but better informed Canadians are increasingly appreciating the positive role certain fats play in their health. In 2015, consumers can look forward to a growing number of healthy oils coming to Canada.

Olive oil, long considered the miracle oil of the Mediterranean diet, is no longer alone. Not only do new oils offer health benefits, but they're also making their way into the kitchen, bringing diversity and new flavours to sauces, dressings and marinades.

Over the past year, coconut oil has gained considerable ground and, with the arrival of new, diversified products, it will continue its rise this year, but it's in the liquid oil category that the new trendy products are presented:

Avocado oil will attract a lot of attention. Avocados are well known for their healthy fats, but the oil extracted from them is rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, nutrients crucial for healthy, radiant skin. Refined avocado oil is also excellent for cooking and stir-frying.

Unlike avocado oil, many healthy oils have a low smoke emission level, which means that at higher temperatures, the healthy fats they contain break down. Avocado oil is a clean oil with a light nutty taste that can withstand high temperatures, up to 520°F, making it easier to use for cooking than olive oil or other vegetable oils.

Camelina oilAnother trendy oil, rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, contains a high proportion of heart-healthy omega-3s (up to 45%!). Camelina is an ancient grain and oleaginous plant appreciated for its fresh, nutty flavor, health-giving properties and heat-resistant characteristics. Natural antioxidants, including vitamin E, give this oil a longer shelf life than olive oil or other vegetable oils.

Other oils to look out for include linseed oil, walnut oil and almond oil, which will bring variety and new flavours to your cooking.

No description of oils would be complete without a mention of omega-3s. Innovations in omega-3 supplements have led to higher concentrations and improved flavors of the marine-sourced, long-chain integral fatty acids EPA and DHA. Omega-3 supplements are among the fastest-growing categories in the natural health products industry, and will continue to expand in 2016.