Kennedy, Influencers Bash Seed Oils, Baffling Nutrition Scientists

Common cooking oils—such as canola, soybean, and corn oil—are now being targeted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a group of influencers, baffling nutritionists who accuse them of spreading misinformation and promoting myths about these healthy oils, Jonel Aleccia reported for The Associated Press (AP).

The seed oil debate has exasperated nutrition scientists, who emphasize that decades of research confirm the health benefits of consuming these oils.

Labeling them as the “hateful eight” for allegedly fueling inflammation and contributing to high rates of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes, Kennedy and his supporters are pressuring fast-food restaurants to return to using beef tallow, or rendered animal fat, in their fryers instead.

The seed oil debate has exasperated nutrition scientists, who emphasize that decades of research confirm the health benefits of consuming these oils, especially when used as alternatives to butter or lard.

Critics of seed oils make a range of claims that many scientists say lack scientific backing. Some contend that the production process leaves behind toxic byproducts of a chemical called hexane.

While hexane gas is considered hazardous, food science professor Eric Decker of the University of Massachusetts Amherst explains that the hexane used as a liquid solvent to extract the oil is evaporated off, and the remaining residue is so minimal that it poses no risk.

Another claim is that the high omega-6 and low omega-3 composition of seed oils creates an imbalance that may increase the risk of chronic conditions by promoting inflammation in the body.

However, research from the American Heart Association and other institutions has consistently shown that plant-based oils help lower so-called "bad" cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke—especially compared with sources high in saturated fat.

By contrast, olive oil and avocado oil, classified as fruit oils, are often cold-pressed, which helps retain many plant-based compounds that benefit health. However, this process also makes them more expensive and prone to smoking at high heat.