The NOT So Scary TRUTH about Seed Oils

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If you're on social media you know all the BUZZ about seed oils. We all know those social media influencers who walk around grocery stores dissing food that has seed oils in the ingredients. 

But are seed oils really that "toxic" and why do people claim they are?

First of all, what are seed oils? 
 
Seed oils are used for cooking. The oil is extracted from various plants by a chemical or mechanical process. Seed oils may be used at home, such as in a recipe for baking, or added to a frying pan for cooking, or even used for a salad dressing recipe. 

The most common seed oils include:
- Canola Oil
- Corn Oil 
- Cotton Seed Oil 
- Soybean Oil 
- Sunflower Oil
- Safflower Oil 
- Grapeseed Oil 
- Rice Bran Oil 
- Peanut Oil

Critics claim that the extraction process releases toxic byproducts in the oils. Hexane is used to extract the oil from the seed and can be toxic in a gas form. BUT the hexane is evaporated off in the process of extraction. 

But are they really that toxic? 

According to Julia Zumpano, RD, LD at the Cleveland Clinic seed oils can be healthy and unhealthy for people. Seed oils are mostly in foods that are not considered healthy such as ultra-processed foods. They aren't necessarily good for people but the reason they're usually marked as "toxic" is how they're used. Julia Zumpano, RD, LD states "I think that’s why we’re hearing about them as being so bad for your health. But it’s less about the seed oils themselves and more about the fact that they’re so often found in ultra-processed foods.” 

Overall seed oils should be consumed in moderation such as any type of oil. Rather than focusing on just a seed oil ingredient, it is best to consume more whole foods and reduce ultra processed foods from your diet. 


L.G. 


References: 
https://www.massgeneral.org/news/article/seed-oils-facts-myths 
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/seed-oils-are-they-actually-toxic 

Comments

  1. nina macaliNovember 2, 2024 at 8:37 PM

    This is a great topic! We hear so much about seed oils and to stay away and there is so much misinformation out there! "Overall seed oils should be consumed in moderation such as any type of oil. Rather than focusing on just a seed oil ingredient, it is best to consume more whole foods and reduce ultra processed foods from your diet. " That last section is so true!! something so simple, yet so difficult

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