All About Seed Oils

Seed Oils and Their Purpose

Seed oils have been a hot-button topic lately. Soybean oil (also known as vegetable oil) has found itself at the center of this debate, especially after the publication of the Make America Healthy Again report. The Soy Nutrition Institute is dedicated to researching the health benefits of soy and educating about its findings.

If the end goal is to make Americans healthier, choosing U.S.-grown soybean oil can be part of a healthy dietary pattern. As research continues to highlight the role of dietary fat in long-term health, soybean oil remains a practical, evidence-based option.

What are seed oils?

Oils made from the seeds of plants including canola, corn, soybean and more.

What are the benefits of soybean oil?

With a neutral flavor, heart-health benefits and a favorable fatty acid profile, soybean oil is a practical option for cooking and food preparation. Soybean oil is low in saturated fat and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Both are essential fatty acids, meaning the body cannot make enough of them and they must be obtained through the diet.

Research supports replacing foods high in saturated fat with unsaturated fats, including those found in soybean oil, as part of a dietary pattern associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Soybean oil also has an FDA-permitted qualified health claim related to reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Linoleic acid can help lower LDL cholesterol when it replaces saturated fat in the diet. Research has also associated higher dietary intake of linoleic acid with cardiovascular health.

Where can you find soybean oil?

Soybean oil is commonly labeled as vegetable oil and is used in dressings, margarine, shortenings, sauces, baked goods and more. Vegetable oil is suitable for high-heat cooking and frying because it has a relatively high smoke point and can be a practical choice for frying foods such as French fries and doughnuts.

For additional information and resources on this topic, visit: