Seed Oils: Are They Really Toxic?

Seed Oils: Savory or Scary?

It seems like social media is always looking for ways to tear down or call specific foods bad for you. For the last few years, there have been so many negative articles about seed oils and how “toxic they are”. But are they “toxic” or are people stretching the truth? 

What exactly are seed oils?

Seed oils are plant-based oils that can be used for cooking, baking, and found in processed foods. Many restaurants use canola oil which is a common seed oil used for frying foods. Other common seed oils are the following: sunflower, grapeseed, safflower, soybean, corn, and cottonseed. 

So, are these seed oils bad for us? 

It is not a simple answer so let's break it down. Let’s take canola oil for our example. Canola is used in foods such as hamburgers, french fries, and fried chicken to get that ultra crunch. When it is used in processed foods either from a restaurant or in a package in the grocery store, it may not be the most “healthy” option. The common theme with seed oils such as canola is that they contain omega-6 fatty acids. 

Oils with omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. These fatty acids have been shown in studies to promote inflammatory responses in the body when in high doses. When someone eats a LOT of foods that contain omega-6 fatty acids they are more likely to develop inflammatory diseases such as allergies, arthritis, and more. 

However, there are some benefits to seed oils and how we need omega-6 fatty acids in our bodies to function. For example, omega-6 fatty acids have a key role in growth and development, brain function, and maintaining our metabolism. 

Overall Thoughts 

If you have been a long-time reader with HappyStrongHealthy, you would know that all foods have a place in our diet. So while the oil itself is not necessarily amazing for you, they are typically used on foods that are not the BEST for your and your health. However, if you have been craving those Chick-Fil-A fries all week and want them, eat them! With that being said, studies have already proven that we should not eat foods high in seed oils all the time, but every once in a while is more than okay. We must remember that our eating patterns are all about balance instead of removing things like oils out of our diet. 

Sources

• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/seed-oils-are-they-actually-toxic 

• https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/omega-6-fatty-acids#:~:text=Along%20with%20omega%2D3%20fatty,and%20maintain%20the%20reproductive%20system. 

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Written by Emma Sommers

Hey, I'm Emma!

I'm currently a Senior at Purdue University studying Nutrition and Dietetics. I love everything about nutrition and have a passion towards helping people learn to love food and all the science behind it!  Learn more about the HSH offerings here.