What you know about some “healthy food” might end up harming you. One of these is soybean oil. It’s the most widely used oil for food-making, both fresh and packaged. But recent scientific studies have found potentially harmful effects of this popular ingredient.
Is Soybean Oil Really Healthy?
This plant-based oil is said to have multiple benefits, such as it being good for the skin and promoting heart and bone health. People also love it for its versatility. But the main reason why people classify it as “healthy” is that soybean oil is polyunsaturated fat.
Polyunsaturated fat contains omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, which are good for the heart. Soybean oil falls under the omega-3 type. Saturated fat, on the other hand, raises LDL cholesterol and other risk factors associated with heart disease. However, whether or not saturated fat increases one’s risk of developing heart disease remains unclear. At the same time, there is also still no conclusive proof that soybean oil is good, despite being polyunsaturated fat.
So, if soybean oil is polyunsaturated fat and therefore heart-healthy, what are its potentially harmful effects?
Previous Studies
Scientific studies conducted in 2015 and 2017 found that soybean oil contributes to obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver. These studies were of mice put in high-fat diets involving this oil and a version with lower linoleic acid.
The low linoleic acid control group showed fewer signs of obesity and insulin resistance. The group that consumed unmodified soybean oil experienced all four effects.
A new study, however, determined that either modified or unmodified, soybean oil has significant effects on the brain.
Soybean Oil Effects on the Brain
The University of California – Riverside released a study in January 2020 with findings linking soybean oil consumption to serious neurological conditions. This study found that, regardless of linoleic acid levels, the consumption of this oil affects the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates reproduction, weight, metabolism, body temperature, physical growth, and how we respond to stress. There’s a gene in this part that produces oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “love” hormone. This study found that mice’s oxytocin levels dropped after being fed soybean oil.
On top of that, there are a hundred other hormones that are affected by soybean oil consumption. This could mean that the use of this oil could be connected with critical neurological conditions such as:
- Autism
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Anxiety, and
- Depression
While these are significant findings, the study still left a lot of questions unanswered. For example, the researchers do not yet know the specific component of this oil that causes these effects.
Your Next Step
If you’ve been consistently consuming soybean oil, don’t panic. Soy products are still alright to include in your diet because they contain essential fatty acids and proteins. But if you want to clear your system of harmful oil residue, you can go on a detox cleanse.
Our 21 Day Full Body Cleanse will help you jumpstart a new and better lifestyle and eating habit. You’ll get 30 days’ worth of professional-grade supplements along with ebooks, recipes, and exercise videos to help you sweat and eat right. On top of that, you’ll also get access to expert support seven days a week!
The best way to getting healthier is to make a change instead of worrying. Our 21 Day Full Body Cleanse program will help you make that first step towards a better and healthier you. Join us today!