{"id":13892,"date":"2025-04-08T23:56:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T16:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=13892"},"modified":"2025-04-08T23:56:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T16:56:15","slug":"dietitians-fact-check-5-claims-made-about-seed-oils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=13892","title":{"rendered":"Dietitians Fact Check 5 Claims Made About Seed Oils"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/dietitian-fact-checks-claims-seed-oils-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Dietitian Fact Checks 5 Claims Made About Seed Oils on Social Media | MyFitnessPal\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve spent any time on health and wellness <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/channel\/seed-oils-bad?lang=en\">TikTok<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C1zhKitsOD_\/\">Instagram<\/a>, you\u2019ve probably heard people warning you to toss your seed oils immediately\u2014or else.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Influencers claim they\u2019re toxic, inflammatory, and even to blame for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-U9YwS_e380\">America\u2019s obesity crisis<\/a>. But is there any science behind the fear mongering?&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We asked dietitians to fact-check some of the most viral claims about seed oils and help you make informed choices.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-claim-1-seed-oils-are-toxic-and-cause-inflammation\">Claim #1: Seed Oils Are \u201cToxic\u201d and Cause Inflammation<\/h2>\n<p>You might have heard that seed oils\u2014like sunflower, soybean, safflower, or corn oil\u2014are harmful because they\u2019re full of \u201ctoxins\u201d that cause inflammation. But according to MyFitnessPal dietitian Brookell White, this idea doesn\u2019t hold up.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cSeed oils are getting a bad rap,\u201d<\/strong> she says. \u201cThey\u2019re high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, which are actually essential\u2014we need them for brain development, metabolism, and overall growth (<a href=\"https:\/\/examine.com\/supplements\/omega-6-fatty-acids\/\">1<\/a>).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s true that omega-6 fats can lead to the formation of arachidonic acid, a compound linked to inflammation, your body only converts a small amount. In fact, <strong>studies show that diets high in omega-6 fatty acids can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.todaysdietitian.com\/newarchives\/0623p18.shtml\">5<\/a>) .<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s more likely to drive inflammation? Ultra-processed foods that happen to contain seed oils, along with added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat. \u201cThere\u2019s strong evidence that reducing ultra-processed food supports better health,\u201d says White (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/384\/bmj-2023-077310\">2<\/a>). \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean seed oils used in home cooking or whole foods are the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-claim-2-seed-oils-were-invented-as-industrial-products\">Claim #2: Seed Oils Were Invented as Industrial Products<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, this family of oils has industrial uses. But that doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t belong in your kitchen.<\/p>\n<p>White explains that <strong>seed oils were originally extracted using a mechanical screw press, an innovation from the 1880s that made oil production more efficient<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/health\/are-seed-oils-toxic-the-answer-is-complicated-according-to-research\">6<\/a>).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Today, these oils are used not only in food, but also in eco-friendly products like soaps and cosmetics. That\u2019s not a red flag\u2014it\u2019s actually a benefit for sustainability (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4869010\/\">7<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>What about chemical processing? Some people worry about the use of solvents like hexane during refining. But White emphasizes that any residue in the final oil is minimal and regulated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The bigger issue, she says, is what happens when seed oils are overheated and reused repeatedly<\/strong> (ahem, like in deep fryers at restaurants) because that can lead to oxidation and harmful compounds (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.todaysdietitian.com\/newarchives\/0623p18.shtml\">5<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/is-olive-oil-good-for-you-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Is Olive Oil Healthy? | MyFitnessPal\" class=\"wp-image-61730 size-full\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-you-might-also-like\">You might also like<\/h5>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/is-extra-virgin-olive-oil-really-a-health-food\/\">Is Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Really a Health Food?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-claim-3-seed-oils-are-responsible-for-the-rise-in-obesity\">Claim #3: Seed Oils Are Responsible for the Rise in Obesity<\/h2>\n<p>This one sounds simple, but the truth is far more complicated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<strong>While seed oils are often blamed for rising obesity rates, other factors likely play a bigger role<\/strong>,\u201d says Lauren Cuda, a dietitian with MyFitnessPal. \u201cDiets high in ultra-processed foods\u2014many of which contain seed oils\u2014are associated with poor health outcomes, but not just because of the oils. These foods are also high in calories, added sugars, and low in fiber and nutrients (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/12\/7\/1955\">8<\/a>).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In other words, it\u2019s not the canola oil in your homemade vinaigrette. <strong>The problem is the combination of low-nutrient, high-calorie packaged foods that may contribute to weight gain.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When people reduce seed oils, it\u2019s often part of a broader dietary change that includes eating fewer processed foods. That\u2019s what drives the weight loss results people sometimes get from eliminating seed oils. It\u2019s not cutting oils alone that does the trick.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-claim-4-seed-oils-are-full-of-oxidized-fats-that-destroy-your-cells\">Claim #4: Seed Oils Are Full of \u201cOxidized\u201d Fats That Destroy Your Cells<\/h2>\n<p>Seed oils contain polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which can be sensitive to heat, light, and air. But that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re destroying your cells (<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/12504167\/\">9<\/a>), (<a href=\"https:\/\/journal.pan.olsztyn.pl\/Potential-Health-Implications-of-the-Consumption-of-Thermally-Oxidized-Cooking-Oils,98482,0,2.html\">3<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe idea that seed oils are harmful because of oxidation is misleading,\u201d says MyFitnessPal dietitian Katherine Basbaum. \u201cThey also contain antioxidants like vitamin E, which help prevent oxidative stress in the body. <strong>In fact, eating these oils in appropriate amounts may actually help protect your cells<\/strong>,\u201d she adds (<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11641740\/#:~:text=This%20is%20possibly%20due%20to,unsaturated%20fatty%20acids%20from%20oxidation.\">10<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Basbaum recommends keeping your oils in a cool, dark place. And when cooking, don\u2019t heat them beyond their smoke point.<\/strong> But used properly, these oils don\u2019t pose the oxidative risk some online voices suggest (<a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/j.1467-3010.2008.01738.x\">11<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-claim-5-fats-like-butter-ghee-beef-tallow-or-coconut-oil-are-always-healthier\">Claim #5: Fats Like Butter, Ghee, Beef Tallow, or Coconut Oil Are Always Healthier<\/h2>\n<p>This claim often comes with the idea that \u201cnatural\u201d fats are better than \u201cprocessed\u201d ones. But when it comes to your heart health,<strong> saturated fat content matters more than social media trends<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/saturated-and-unsaturated-fatty-acids\/\">Fats<\/a> like butter, ghee, beef tallow, and coconut oil are all high in saturated fat,\u201d says Basbaum. \u201cAnd <strong>excess saturated fat has been linked to increased risk of heart disease and higher mortality<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11600290\/\">12<\/a>).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand,&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/foods-low-in-saturated-fat\/\">unsaturated fats<\/a>\u2014like those found in olive, avocado, and canola oil\u2014have been shown to <em>decrease<\/em> heart disease risk (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5123772\/\">13<\/a>).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>That doesn\u2019t mean you can never cook with butter or enjoy coconut oil in a recipe. But making unsaturated fats your default choice for daily cooking supports long-term health.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And remember: no single ingredient makes or breaks your diet. <\/strong>\u201cHealth is about your overall eating pattern,\u201d Basbaum says. \u201cThat means aiming for more fiber, fruits, and veggies, and less added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat\u2014while still enjoying the foods you love.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"643\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/essential-guide-fats-fatty-acids-1024x643.jpg\" alt=\"Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know | MyFitnessPal\" class=\"wp-image-61857 size-full\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-you-might-also-like-0\">You might also like<\/h5>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/saturated-and-unsaturated-fatty-acids\/\">Guide to Fats: Types, Benefits, and How Much You Need<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/h2>\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057167416\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>What oils are seed oils?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Cooking oils derived from the seeds of plants. The most common are canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed, grapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, rice bran oil, and peanut oil (<a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/seed-oils-are-they-actually-toxic\">14<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057184307\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Is olive oil considered a seed oil?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/is-extra-virgin-olive-oil-really-a-health-food\/\">Olive oil<\/a> It comes from the fruit of the olive tree, specifically the flesh and pulp, rather than from seeds (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.internationaloliveoil.org\/olive-world\/olive-oil\/\">15<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057202451\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Which is the healthiest oil to use?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There is no single \u201chealthiest\u201d oil. The healthiest oil for you in a specific situation depends on things like the cooking method you\u2019ll be using and your personal health goals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057220515\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Does Chick-fil-A use seed oils?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">According to the company&#8217;s website, the restaurant fries its \u201chand-breaded chicken exclusively in fully refined, heat-processed peanut oil (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chick-fil-a.com\/customer-support\/our-food\/nutrition-and-allergens\/does-chick-fil-a-use-peanut-oil\">16<\/a>).\u201d\u00a0For the most up to date information, you can also check the ingredient list of your meals whenever eating out to determine if specific food items contain seed oils.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057246334\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Do seed oils cause inflammation?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Studies in healthy adults do not suggest that these oils cause inflammation. In fact, they may be linked to reduced inflammation (<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29610056\/\">18<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057266619\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Are seed oils processed or refined?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, most seed oils are processed and refined. Oils that are cold-pressed or expeller-pressed are extracted without chemicals, so these oils are less processed and refined than those extracted with chemical solvents (<a href=\"https:\/\/engagement.source.colostate.edu\/are-seed-oils-bad-for-you-registered-dietitian-explains\/\">19<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057283698\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Is canola oil a seed oil?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Also known as rapeseed oil, canola oil comes from seeds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1744057301228\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong>Are seed oils linked to heart disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Not directly. \u201cOne recent study followed 200,000 adults for more than 3 decades and found worse health outcomes with butter consumption than plant-based oils,\u201d notes Melissa Jaeger (<a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.heart.org\/news\/replacing-butter-with-plant-based-oils-may-reduce-the-risk-of-premature-death\">20<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>These<strong> oils may be a social media scapegoat, but the science tells a different story. <\/strong>They\u2019re a source of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/saturated-and-unsaturated-fatty-acids\/\">essential fats<\/a> your body needs and aren\u2019t inherently harmful. The real health risks come from ultra-processed foods\u2014not the oils themselves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s smart to be mindful of how you store and cook with oils, there\u2019s no need to fear seed oils in your salad dressing or stir-fry. Instead of falling for viral nutrition myths, focus on your overall dietary pattern: more whole foods, fewer ultra-processed ones, and a balanced mix of healthy fats.<\/p>\n<p>Wondering how much fat you&#8217;re really eating? Download the <a href=\"https:\/\/myfitnesspal.app.link\/HMWfYrIJnSb\">MyFitnessPal app<\/a> to track stay on top of your nutrition and make progress toward your health goals.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/seed-oil-myths\/\">Dietitians Fact Check 5 Claims Made About Seed Oils<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\">MyFitnessPal Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/seed-oil-myths\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve spent any time on health and wellness TikTok or Instagram, you\u2019ve probably heard people warning you to toss your seed oils immediately\u2014or else.&nbsp; Influencers claim they\u2019re toxic, inflammatory, and even to blame for America\u2019s obesity crisis. But is there any science behind the fear mongering?&nbsp; We asked dietitians to fact-check some of the &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13892\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}