United States: Seed oils are trending, and there is concern as to whether they have adverse effects on your health.
On Tuesday, a paper published in the journal Gut gave rise to headlines comparing seed oils to fuel for colon cancer; however, some experts have noted that those headlines are misleading.
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Opposite most vegetable oils, seed oils are obtained from the seed of a plant, compared to the fruit of the plant, from which most usual vegetable oils are squeezed.
For instance, sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds, which belong to seed oil, while olive oil is derived from whole olives, which are the fruit of plants.
However, there are some seed oils, such as sesame, that have smell and taste, thus making them ideal for use in the kitchen, adding flavor to foods or dressing.
Health risks from them
According to Kristina Petersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State University, “Based on the evidence we have, seed oils don’t pose any health risks,” CBS News reported.
“In fact, when you look at the evidence, it shows that intake of seed oils, instead of fats like butter and other animal fats, actually improves blood cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of diseases like heart disease (and) Type 2 diabetes,” Petersen added.
Seed oils are making headlines, prompting fears about whether they can have negative effects on your health. Here's what to know.https://t.co/3RKP0bjmr5
— CBS Philadelphia (@CBSPhiladelphia) December 19, 2024
Moreover, as Dr. Steven Shamah, director of endoscopy at Lenox Hill Hospital, noted, “Everything in moderation.”
Like all oils, seed oils contain fat, which is important for a balanced diet but in certain quantities. However, the type of fat, saturated or unsaturated, is also important.
Saturated fats
Saturated fats can be found in meat, dairy, and coconut, which could raise both “good” and “bad” cholesterol levels. They should be consumed in limited amounts.
According to the American Heart Association, saturated fats should constitute 5 to 6 percent of the total daily human calorie intake.
Seed oils contain unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These fats can decrease bad cholesterol and, at the same time, increase the level of good cholesterol, as studies have shown.
They contain high amounts of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that is essential for the body but which must be consumed with omega-3 fatty acids, Shamah explained.
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As Shamah noted, “Linoleic acid, commonly found in seed oils in small amounts, is beneficial; however, in large amounts, puts significant stress on many forms of beneficial bacteria in the microbiome,” CBS News reported, while mentioning that overconsumption could be common in modern cities, as seed oils are present in various processed foods.
Seed oils are described by those in opposition to creating linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that falls apart into toxins once used for cooking, sickening the human body in so doing and leading to the development of numerous health complaints such as inflammation, a weakened immune system, chronic illnesses, etcetera.
That linoleic acid, for example, can be transformed into arachidonic acid in the body is not alarming, according to experts.