The Hidden Dangers of Soybean Oil: Unveiling the Health Risks
In recent years, concerns surrounding the impact of soybean oil on human health have gained significant attention. As a widely used cooking oil and ingredient in processed foods, soybean oil has become a staple in many households. However, emerging research suggests that this seemingly innocuous oil may not be as benign as once believed. High in omega-6 fatty acids and prone to oxidation, soybean oil has been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including inflammation, heart disease, obesity, and even disruptions in hormonal balance. This blog delves into the detrimental health implications of soybean oil consumption, urging readers to reconsider its ubiquitous presence in their diet and explore healthier alternatives for a truly nourishing lifestyle.
Soybean Oil Explained
“Soybean oil is made by extracting oil from whole soybeans. This process involves dehulling and crushing soybeans, separating the oil from the rest of the bean, and distilling and refining it to remove contaminants that may affect the flavor, smell and color of the oil.”
Seed oils are polyunsaturated fatty acids (otherwise known as PUFAs). To make soybean oil, the soybean needs to be be pressed from the bean.
“Commodity soybean oil is composed of five fatty acids: palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), and linolenic acid (18:3). The percentage of these five fatty acids in soybean oil averages 10%, 4%, 18%, 55%, and 13%, respectively."
Regular soy oil contains approximately 54% linoleic acid, that’s a lot of omega-6 fatty acids. Too much omega-6 is a problem.
How prolific is soybean oil consumption in the United States?
Out of the top 8 oils consumed in the United States, Soybean oil is the most consumed at 66% of the total volume!
Most soybean oil is heavily refined, blended, and hydrogenated. You’ll find soybean oil in nearly all margarine and shortenings, mayonnaise, prepackaged high carb snacks, salad dressings, several frozen foods, fake dairy, fake meat. If you see a stand alone vegetable oil, it’s likely most of it by volume will be soybean oil.
Soybean Oil is Unstable and Oxidized
“Soybean oil is very susceptible to oxidation during storage at room temperature and to polymerization during fiying at high temperatures mainly because of the high polsoinsaturation content of its fatty acids.”
What does oxidized mean?
“Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a reaction by a molecule, atom or ion. Oxidation occurs when the oxidation state of a molecule, atom or ion is increased. The opposite process is called reduction, which occurs when there is a gain of electrons or the oxidation state of an atom, molecule, or ion decreases.”
Why is Linoleic Acid Bad?
Before understanding why linoleic acid should be avoided, let’s review: Polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats aren’t all bad. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids — are essential. However, too much 6 not balanced with 3 is bad.
There are polyunsaturated fats that are highly unstable, easily oxidized, and tend to cause inflammation. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fat you want to avoid. Soybean oil is (by volume) HALF linoleic acid, that’s a lot!
Linoleic acid is increasingly unhealthy when heated but it’s actually not much better even at room temp.
When heated, soybean oil generates oxidized lipids. Oxidized lipids increase inflammation in your blood, this increased inflammation in your blood increases your risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of your arteries) which may lead to heart disease.
What are the side effects of consuming soybean oil?
“New research shows soybean oil not only leads to obesity and diabetes, but could also affect neurological conditions like autism, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression.”
Soybean Oil Consumption Review
Soybean is the #1 consumed oil in the United States because it’s cheap and it’s thought to be healthy. Out of the top 8 consumable oils in the US, soybean oil alone accounts for 66% of that volume. Reality check: soybean oil is NOT healthy.
Research indicates that soybean oil may lead to obesity and serious neurological conditions. Soybean oil contains high amounts of linoleic acid, in fact, it contains more than 50% linoleic acid by volume. When heated, linoleic acid is oxidized which when consumed increases inflammation in your blood and increases your risk of heart disease.
If you’re on a low carb diet and are consuming a lot of fat, avoid soybean oil. If you’re alive today and want to be healthy, avoid soybean oil. Soybean oil is a fat you do not need. Avoid it.
