Rapeseed (Brassica napus subsp. napus), also known as oilseed rape, is a bright-yellow flowering plant that belongs to the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family)
. It is related to mustard, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and turnip
. Rapeseed is grown for the production of edible vegetable oils, animal feed, and biodiesel
. It is the world's second-leading source of protein meal after soybean and was the third-leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000, after soybean and palm oil
. In the United States, people call the edible variety canola oil
. Rapeseed oil is naturally low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fat, which is excellent for health
. It is also a great source of an omega-3 fat known as alpha-linolenic acid, which provides numerous heart health benefits like lower blood pressure and a decreased likelihood of heart disease
