Some warn that seed oils are toxic and extremely detrimental to our health.
Others reason that theres no hard evidence to support these kinds of claims.
Is there a clear-cut answer here?
Photo:Lacaosa/Getty Images
Bianca Tamburello, RDN, is a registered dietitian atFRESH Communications.
What Are Seed Oils?
Seed oil is an umbrella term for a variety of vegetable-based, oftentimes refined oils.
All are typically created through synthetic chemical extraction methods that sometimes include additional processing like bleaching and deodorizing.
Do Seed Oils Offer Nutritional Benefits?
Here’s a look at what’s inside one tablespoon of canola oil, for example.
If you opt for grapeseed oil, instead, the composition will look a little different.
Here’s a look at what’s inside one tablespoon of grape seed oil.
Meanwhile, sunflower seed oila common cooking oillooks different, as well.
It contains more vitamins and some iron content, as well.
Here is what is included in one tablespoon of sunflower seed oil.
Are Seed Oils Unhealthy?
These types of fat are widelyconsidered to be inflammatory fats.
So we shouldn’t ditch all inflammatory fats.
Prone to Oxidation
Seed oils are more prone to oxidation due to their chemical structure.
For example, the oxidation of seed oils can produce lipid peroxides.
These are harmful compounds that degrade even further into other toxic substances like aldehydes and ketones.
These substances have been linked to all sorts of health problems and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Most of the time, it won’t tarnish or change the flavor at all.
Many seed oils higher threshold for heat makes themoptimal for fryingand high-heat cooking methods like roasting and sauteeing.
But theres no reason to panic and banish seed oils from your pantry and recipes altogether.
Opt for omega-3-rich oils when you’ve got the option to.
Limit processed food and packaged products that contain added seed oils.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seed oils do not have to be totally avoided.
However, it is important to note that they are less nutrient-dense than other options.
attempt to avoid processed and packaged seeds that contain seed oils.
This is an easy way to eliminate them from your diet partially.
Olive oil is not considered to be a seed oil.
It is considered a vegetable oil because it is made by pressing whole olives.
Seed oils are refined oils that come from only the seed portion of a plant.
Seed oils can last up to nine months if stored properly.
But, they can quickly become rancid if exposed to heat, air, and light.
This can happen in as little as two months.
Olive, avocado, and coconut oil are great alternatives to seed oil, as is butter.
All of these are lower in linoleic oil and are neutral-tasting.
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