Tuesday Tip: Are Seed Oils Bad? 🛢️
If you’ve been paying attention to health trends lately, you may have heard that seed oils are apparently toxic. People claim that they cause inflammation, heart disease, and should be avoided at all costs. But is that really the case?
Despite the sensational headlines, the science doesn’t fully support these fears. A recent review of human research on seed oils suggests they’re not as harmful as some claim. Seed oils, like soybean, canola, sunflower, and corn oils, are simply vegetable oils extracted from plant seeds. The main concern is their high content of linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid, which some argue may raise bad cholesterol or increase inflammation.
Whilst some studies have raised these concerns, newer, higher-quality reviews show that seed oils may actually benefit heart health. Replacing saturated fats with seed oils can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, two key markers of heart disease risk. Plus, research suggests higher linoleic acid intake is linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease and even a reduced risk of dying from it.
As for inflammation, the evidence is weak. A 2020 meta-analysis found no strong link between linoleic acid and increased inflammation. Even drastic reductions in linoleic acid didn’t lower levels of inflammatory markers.
So, should you avoid seed oils? Not unless you’re specifically intolerant or have a personal preference and don’t an actually like them . The idea that they’re “toxic” or harmful is, like many trends out there in the media, vastly overblown . Eating a balanced diet with a variety of fats – saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated is far more important.
Bottom line: Seed oils aren’t the villain they’ve been made out to be. Focus on the overall quality of your diet rather than obsessing over individual ingredients. Health isn’t about fearing one food; it’s about the bigger picture. So don’t stress over every drop of oil you use. Your heart will thank you.
Happy Tuesday! 🤗
Xx
Every Step Fitness 