Wellness influencers and online forums say seed oils such as canola, sunflower and grapeseed are ‘toxic.’ Are they harmful to your health?
Cooks around the world use seed oils such as canola, sunflower and grapeseed for their neutral taste and higher smoke point. Yet, a growing number of social media influencers, posters on forums, politicians and podcasters have claimed that they’re “toxic.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s choice for leader of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, has recently resurfaced the argument, urging people to “Make Frying Oil Tallow Again,” selling T-shirts, hats, dog bandanas and car magnets with the slogan in his merch store.
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Critics have linked consuming seed oils to various ailments, from headaches and inflammation to obesity and heart disease. Kennedy posted on X that Americans are being “unknowingly poisoned” by seed oils. But are they?
Polyunsaturated fats such as omega-6 and omega-3 can help lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Though omega-3s do this more effectively, “that doesn’t mean omega-6 is bad for you,” said Gardner.
Rather than the seed oils themselves, Gardner said the “real concern” is high consumption of ultraprocessed foods. Highly processed packaged snacks and ready-to-eat meals often contain seed oils as well as refined carbohydrates, sodium and sugar. “It’s hard to cast the blame on the seed oils when these foods contain so many other things.”
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