It has been proved that cold-pressed rapeseed oil has more beneficial health effects than cold-pressed olive oil. Rapeseed oil reduces accumulation of LDL cholesterol  in arterial walls more effectively than olive oil. Besides, it is a better source of vitamin E.

The study commissioned by Kankaisten Öljykasvit Oy compared the effects of Greek olive oil and Finnish rapeseed oil Virgino on the factors regulating, among other things, blood vessel activity and fat metabolism. Clinical studies were carried out by Finn-Medi Tutkimus Oy in collaboration with researchers of Tampere University Hospital, Laboratoriokeskus (Laboratory Center) and the UKK Institute.

The three-month study involved 38 healthy subjects who had the same basic diet during the test, with the exception of the oil. The quality of fat was changed by replacing the cheese and bread fat with the corresponding amount of the oil to be studied. The test subjects were divided into two groups. Both groups alternated with diets containing olive oil and Virgino. Between the research diets of a month each, there was a four-week period during which all subjects followed the basic diet.

Olive or rapeseed oil was given to the groups in bread rolls, cooking oil and salad dressings. The proportion of energy from fat was held constant during the experiment, and the subjects' weights did not change.

Cholesterol Carrier Substances under Control
The study revealed that taking rapeseed oil favourably affects all fats in the blood as well as their carrier proteins. It thus provides help for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

During the experiment, the amount of the carrier protein of harmful LDL cholesterol in the blood decreased with the group who got Virgino rapeseed oil more than with those who were given olive oil. The decrease of LDL carrier protein prevents bad LDL particles from accumulating in the artery walls and slows constriction of blood vessels. The proportional intake of vitamin E from the diet was higher with the rapeseed oil group than the olive oil group, which was one reason for the decrease of LDL cholesterol. The vitamin E in rapeseed oil effectively delayed rancidity of LDL. Rancid LDL accumulates particularly easily in arterial walls.

Fatty Acid Composition Healthier in Rapeseed Oil
The intake of saturated fat decreased in both comparison groups. In the rapeseed oil group, saturated fat was replaced by both monounsaturated and even healthier polyunsaturated fatty acids, while saturated fat was replaced almost exclusively by mono-unsaturated fatty acids in the olive oil group. Rapeseed oil contains more fatty acids essential for the body than olive oil. Rapeseed oil contains more than 10 percent alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), inhibiting the clogging of blood, whereas olive oil barely contains it at all.

As for blood pressure,  there were no significant differences between the test groups: in both the groups, systolic blood pressure slightly sank.

International Evidence of the Benefits of Rapeseed Oil
A Danish study conducted by an international group of scientists compared the effects of olive oil, sunflower oil and rapeseed oil on lipid substances and their carrier materials in blood. The test subjects were 18 young, healthy men; 50 grams of each respective oil was added in three-week periods to their diets. The experiment showed that the subjects' cholesterol levels were 10-20 percent higher after the test cycles containing olive oil than those with rapeseed oil or sunflower oil. All in all, rapeseed and sunflower oils were found to have more beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and cholesterol than olive oil.