Seed Oils

SEED OILS

Seed oils come from the seeds of plants like soybean, canola (rapeseed), corn, sunflower, and grapeseed. They are used for cooking at home, in restaurants and in prepared foods.

BENEFITS

Seed oils are high in unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats can support heart health, can help lower cholesterol, and may reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.

CONS

There is some controversy over whether omega-6 fatty acids may promote inflammation. However, current research does not support that conclusion. Omega-6 fatty acids do not appear to directly cause inflammation themselves. The real concern is that seed oils are used in many unhealthy ultra-processed foods, such as fried foods, baked goods, and packaged snacks, which are typically high in added sugar, salt, and calories.

SUMMARY

Seed oils themselves should not be a concern. What matters most is overall diet quality, including whole, minimally processed foods, balanced fats, and fiber.