Seed oil misinformation

Since 2018, the health effects of consuming certain processed vegetable oils, or "seed oils" have been subject to misinformation in popular and social media. The trend grew in 2020 after podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan interviewed fad diet proponent Paul Saladino about the carnivore diet. Saladino made several claims about the health effects of vegetable fats.^[1]

The theme of the misinformation is that seed oils are the root cause of most diseases of affluence, including heart disease,^[2] cancer,^[3] diabetes,^[4] and liver spots.^[5] These claims are not based on evidence,^[6] but have nevertheless become popular on the political right.^[7] Critics cite a specific "hateful eight" oils that constitute seed oils: canola, corn, cottonseed, soy, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and rice bran.^[8]

Consumer vegetable oils are generally recognized as safe for human consumption.^[9]

Seed oils are oils extracted from the seed, rather than the pulp or fruit, of a plant. Seed oils are characterized by the industrial process used to extract the oil from the seed and a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs.) ^[10] Critics "hateful eight" oils consist of seed oils: canola, corn, cottonseed, soy, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and rice bran^[11] which are creations of industrialization in the early twentieth century. In the United States, cottonseed oil was developed and marketed by Procter & Gamble as the creamed shortening Crisco in 1911.^[12] The extracted oil was refined and partially hydrogenated to give a solid at room temperature and thus mimic natural lard, and canned under nitrogen gas. Compared to lard, Crisco is cheaper, easier to stir into a recipe, and can be stored at room temperature for two years without expiring.

Critics of seed oils often point to the health hazards of the solvents used in the industrial process of generating vegetable oils.^[13] Hexane, which can be neurotoxic, is extremely effective at oil extraction.^[14] Thus, it is often quoted as a danger when consuming vegetable oils as it can be found in finished oils in trace amounts.^[15] The United States Environmental Protection Agency studied the toxicity of hexane extensively in the 1980s.^[16] The studies found that the hexane used in industrial processes was safe for consumption and did not cause nerve damage.^[17]

Processed oils have a higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids than oils from fish and walnuts. Omega-6 fatty acids constitute a growing proportion of Americans' fat intake and have been hypothesized to contribute to several negative health effects, including inflammation^[18] and immunodeficiency.^[19] In humans, most cardiovascular health researchers believe omega-6 fatty acids are safe and healthy.^[20] The American Heart Association has stated that a reduction in omega-6 fatty acids could lead to an increase, not reduction, in cardiovascular disease.^[21] Omega-6 fatty acids are significantly associated with a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease.^[22] Research indicates that consumption of omega-6 fatty acids has little effect on inflammatory bowel disease.^[23]

Opposition to seed oils has been associated with the political right. Professor of Russian studies Maya Vinokour described the belief as "lifestyle fascism" and "right-wing masculinist discourse."^[7]

Former independent U.S. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaigned on health-related conspiracy theories and attracted support from voters opposed to seed oils.^[24] In his speech suspending his campaign and endorsing that of Donald Trump, he blamed several health conditions on processed foods' inclusion of seed oils.^[25] Later that day, Kennedy appeared alongside Trump to declare that the latter would "make America healthy again," endorsing Trump's health and food policies.^[26] Trump's running-mate, JD Vance, has stated that he does not cook with seed oils.^[27]