Are seed oils actually bad for you? Experts say we're missing the big picture

Whether you prefer cooking with beef tallow or olive oil, dietitians say picking the healthiest cooking oil matters less than the meals you prepare with them.

 What MAHA’s crusade against seed oils reveals about flaws in America’s food system

Critics of corn, canola, and similar oils find fertile ground in a nation beset by chronic disease and rising distrust.

Are Seed Oils Bad for You? What to Know About the Oils You Cook With

Olive oil and avocado oil are the top recommendations from many health professionals, including Tara Schmidt, lead registered dietitian at the Mayo Clinic Diet, and Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic who works in preventive cardiology. The dietitians steer patients to them not only because of their healthy unsaturated fats but also because olive oil and avocado oil are generally less processed than other oils. Unlike olive oil, seed oils tend to be more processed. They are often produced with both high heat and chemical solvents.

Robert F Kennedy Jr claims seed oils are ‘poisoning’ us. Here’s why he’s wrong

Seed oils are in many foods. They are usually cheap and easy to cook with, and their inoffensive taste means they can be used in a huge variety of things. Go on any social media platform, though, and you will find self-appointed health influencers blaming them for everything from inflammation to the obesity epidemic. Politicians do it too: the man Donald Trump wants for his health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has claimed that Americans are being “unknowingly poisoned” by them. But is any of this true, and should it change how you buy or cook your food?

Seed oils are toxic, says Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – but it’s not so simple

Seed oils — often confusingly referred to as “vegetable oils” — are, as the name implies, oils extracted from the seeds of plants. This is unlike olive oil and coconut oil, which are derived from fruits. People decrying their widespread use often refer to the “hateful eight” top seed oil offenders: canola, corn, soybean, cottonseed, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower and rice bran oil. These oils entered the human diet at unprecedented levels after the invention of the mechanical screw press in 1888 enabled the extraction of oil from seeds in quantities that were never before possible.

Seed oils vs. butter and other animal fats: Which is healthier? Experts settle the debate

The seed oil versus animal fat debate has gone from a niche topic among wellness influencers on social media to an entire movement. Perhaps you've already heard of the "Hateful Eight" — not the movie, but the list of oils to supposedly avoid, including canola and corn. Seed oil naysayers claim these plant-based cooking oils are "toxic" or lead to chronic diseases, neither of which are backed by scientific evidence.

Are Seed Oils Actually Bad for You?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others claim they’re harming our health, but the evidence suggests otherwise.

Are Seed Oils Bad for You?

Seed oils are a controversial topic. One of the main reasons I want to address them is that it’s a space where people often talk very negatively. And then there are people on the other side who are either saying that seed oils are not bad, or in some cases might even be “heart healthy.” The goal of this post is to unpack the entire discussion in what I would consider a balanced fashion.

Are seed oils bad for you?

When people talk about seed oils, they are mainly referring to a list of eight oils derived from the seeds of plants. All eight are a source of fat and contain a relatively high proportion of omega-6 fatty acids, specifically linoleic acid. The charge against them is that, when heated, linoleic acid breaks down into pro-inflammatory compounds, and inflammation increases the risk of diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease and cancer. But is this the case?

Are seed oils bad for you?

At the end of the day, if you want to avoid seed oils just in case, that’s fine. The evidence so far suggests that there are no issues with them, but everyone gets to choose. Many seed oil detractors suggest replacing them with animal-based fats, like tallow or butter. However, these types of fats are linked to poorer health outcomes. So, if you still want to switch away from seed oils, go for olive oil.

Are Seed Oils Bad For You? Here's What the Science Says

It's not the all-time, most nutritious option, but there's no reason to freak out about seed oils.

Are Seed Oils Bad For You? Here’s the Truth

One controversial category of cooking oil is known as seed oils, or refined vegetable oils. While refined seed oils have been found in grocery stores for over a hundred years, experts have started to question their purported health benefits. Here’s what to know about seed oils and your health — including whether seed oils are bad for you.

Are Seed Oils Bad for You? Here’s What You Need to Know

We’re in the midst of a heated health debate: Are seed oils really that bad for you? Some argue they fuel chronic inflammation and modern disease. Others defend them as “heart-healthy,” citing evidence they help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk. At the core of this debate lies a key question: Is the real issue seed oils themselves, or simply how much we’re consuming? Or is it both?

Are Seed Oils Getting a Bad Rap?

“The refining process can have both a positive and negative impact on the oil,” says Hollendonner. “Some benefits include a longer shelf life, better taste and color, higher smoke point (allows for high heat cooking/frying) and the elimination of toxins that could make us sick.” “Some drawbacks of the refining process include the loss of beneficial compounds like antioxidants, polyphenols and phospholipids. The processing also can result in the formation of unhealthy trans-fatty acids,” adds Hollendonner.

Are Seed Oils Getting a Bad Rap?

The real problem with seed oils is that they’re frequently found in highly processed and fast-food items. “If you cut back or eliminate your consumption of pre-packaged foods like cookies, potato chips, crackers, frozen meals and deep-fried foods, you will significantly reduce your seed oil intake,” says Hollendonner. “These foods are also typically high in added sugar, refined carbohydrates and sodium, so avoiding them will have additional health benefits.”

Do Seed Oils Make You Sick?

Critics say they raise your risk for weight gain, heart issues, and more. But the science doesn't support those claims.

Processed To Death – Get These Cooking Oils Out of Your Pantry STAT!

Whenever I see the chefs on Food Network using canola oil I want to scream at the TV… and I have to admit, I sometimes do. That’s because for years I was misled into thinking that canola oil was healthy and would buy quarts of it. I recently received an email newsletter from “CanolaInfo.org” with their “Top 10 Pantry Essentials” for a healthy 2015, and of course canola oil was at the top of their list. The canola industry is doing an amazing job marketing canola oil as “heart healthy” and “natural”, but it’s a total sham.

Seed Oils: Are They Actually Toxic?

These common cooking oils are often found in ultra-processed foods and can contribute to inflammation in your body. “Seed oils are chemically processed, which may include cleaning, pressing, bleaching, deodorizing, refining and, in some cases, adding a chemical solvent hexane for oil extraction,” Zumpano explains. “The processing of these oils strips the seeds of their nutrients and could potentially add harmful ingredients.” The end result is oils with no real health benefits — though, this downside isn’t unique to seed oil. Other types of oil can be very processed and refined, too, so it’s always important to pay attention to what you’re buying.

The Toxic Truth about Cooking Oils

Contrary to popular belief, not all cooking oils are “healthy” as many claim to be. Let’s look at vegetable oils, the most common of cooking oils. Many of these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids. Oils, high in omega-6, that fall into this category are soybean, corn, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut, sesame, palm and rice bran. Not only do they contain fatty acids, they are also high in saturated fats which can spike cholesterol levels.

These are the worst cooking oils for your health, experts say

Next time you cook up a storm or scan an ingredient list, steer clear of these bad-for-you oils.

What are Seed Oils?

Typically, seed oils are the name for edible oils made from seeds. Sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, canola, linseed, sesame and grapeseed are all common seed oils. But, particularly in commodity markets, other oils that don’t come from seeds can also be categorised as seed oils. These include soy and corn oil. While all seed oils are vegetable oils, not all vegetable oils are considered seed oils. Rather, seed oils fall into a sub-category under the wider umbrella of vegetable oils.