Canola oil is one of the most widely used cooking oils. Canola oil has been deemed as one of the healthiest oils to use for cooking because it is low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fat. However, canola oil may cause stomach aches for one of several reasons.
Canola Oil Allergy
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You may be allergic to canola oil. An allergic reaction to food occurs when your body overreacts and sets off an immune response to something that is not truly harmful to the body. Key reactions exhibited are hives, wheezing and a hoarse voice. Other symptoms may include but are not limited to diarrhea, stomach cramps and abdominal pain. An allergic reaction will be experienced within two hours of consuming the food.
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Mold Contamination
Foods that are baked using canola oil may develop mold quickly. If you have an allergy to mold, what may seem like an allergic reaction to canola oil may indeed be an allergic reaction to the mold. Stomach pain is typically included in this allergic reaction. Other foods that are documented for fostering an environment for mold include peanuts and corn. If you have an allergy to mold, may develop stomach upset with these foods as well.
Digestion of Fat
Canola oil, like all oils, is a high-fat substance. Your body takes longer to digest fat than it does carbohydrates and proteins. Fats slow down digestion and the emptying of the stomach. This also slows down the passing of gas in your gastrointestinal system. This can result in abdominal bloating. Bloating is often accompanied by stomach pain. You may consume too much fat if you eat a lot of foods fried in canola oil.
Tips
Keep a food diary for a couple weeks. Record everything thing you put in your mouth, to include beverages and medications. Also, note the times when you consume them. Then write down the times that you experience abdominal upset. Take this diary to your health care provider to help them get a clearer picture of what your issue could be. You could also completely abstain from canola oil for a period of time and see if the stomach upset subsides.