Is Soybean Oil Bad for You?

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Soybean oil consumption has been growing rapidly for sometime now. It’s a good idea to know: is soybean oil bad for you? This article breaks down details on why overconsumption of soybean oil may be harming you.

There are still a lot of people trying to hold on to the belief that soybean oil is good for you. It’s still the most consumed vegetable oil in America. It’s used everywhere!

It’s not that consumers are necessarily asking for it, it’s popular due to cost. Soybean oil is MUCH less expensive than the alternatives. It’s made via monocrop agriculture and it’s mass produced, there’s no such thing as small batch soybean oil.

This post highlights the process of getting a soybean to oil and how soybean oil is harmful to your health.

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.” – source

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.” – source

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!

What is soybean used as an ingredient in?

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.” – source

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.” – source

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.” – source

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Soybean Oil

Here are a few questions to help recap and provide as much information as needed to help you understand more about human consumption of Soybean Oil.

Why is soybean oil bad for you?

Soybean oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory when consumed in large amounts. To maintain a healthy balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, it is important to consume a variety of healthy fats, including those found in fish, nuts, and seeds.

Does Soybean oil cause Inflammation?

Soybean oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory when consumed in large amounts. Inflammation is a normal immune response that helps protect the body against infection and injury. However, chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Consuming a diet that is high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 fatty acids can lead to an imbalance that can promote chronic inflammation. To help reduce the risk of chronic inflammation, it is important to consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.

What is soybean oil?

Soybean oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the soybean plant. It is one of the most commonly used cooking oils in the United States and is a common ingredient in many processed foods.

How to avoid soybean oil?

If you are trying to avoid soybean oil, there are a few steps you can take. First, read the ingredient labels on the foods you buy to check for soybean oil. Many processed foods, including salad dressings, baked goods, and snack foods, contain soybean oil. Avoiding processed foods that contain soybean oil can help you reduce your intake of this oil. Additionally, you can use other types of oils for cooking and baking, such as olive oil or coconut oil. You can also try using avocado or nut butters as a spread on toast or sandwiches instead of using soybean oil-based spreads.

What are negative effects of soybean oil?

There are a few potential negative effects of consuming soybean oil in large amounts. It’s high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory when consumed in large amounts. Consuming a diet that is high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 fatty acids can lead to an imbalance that can promote chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, some people may have allergies or sensitivities to soy, which can cause adverse reactions when soybean oil is consumed. It is always best to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.

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