For years, we believed that this oil was part of a healthy diet. We added it to salads, baked with it, found it in "fit" products, and without hesitation enjoyed the belief that we were doing something good for our bodies. But science is – as always – full of surprises, and this time it reveals a rather unpleasant truth.
Which oil? A new discovery by prominent researchers has called into question one of the most widespread ingredients in the modern diet. And no, it's not sugar or trans fats – but for something that often hides under the innocent label of “vegetable oil,” but can cause more harm to your body than you ever dare to think.
The worst vegetable oil for health: we thought it was healthy for decades, but the body does not tolerate well
Soybean oil is like that long-time acquaintance that you only realize years later is quietly stealing your energy - and, well, your health. Although you probably don't sprinkle it on salads (at least not consciously), it's ubiquitous: in processed foods, snacks, baked goods, and even in the "fit" bars we take with us on hikes in the mountains.
Scientists are now claiming something quite bold – that it could be Soybean oil even more harmful than sugarYes, you read that right. The sugar we all blame for the modern food apocalypse.
Why is soybean oil problematic?
Soybean oil, that silent king of industrial ingredients, represents half of the world's vegetable oil productionIf that doesn't sound alarming enough, let's add: it often hides behind an innocent label. “vegetable oil” on the packaging. Ah, this marketing...
A recent study published in a prestigious scientific journal PLOS One, revealed some pretty alarming findings. Researchers from the University of California tested the effects of different fats on lab mice—not out of their culinary curiosity, but to understand how our bodies (well, in this case, the bodies of mice) respond to different types of oils.
Coconut vs. Soy: The Winner Surprisingly Isn't Who You Expect
The mice were divided into groups – one group consumed saturated fats from coconut oil, the other unsaturated fats from soybean oil. The scientists were convinced that it would fructose the one that will do the most damage. But no – the biggest surprise was soybean oil.
The mice that enjoyed it were:
- acquired 25 % more weight like those on coconut oil,
- had fatty liver,
- and developed increased insulin resistance – which means greater susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Lead researcher Dr. Poonamjot Deol described the results as “surprising,” given that sugar has been demonized and vegetable oils have been touted as a health food. It turns out that this story was a bit too one-sided.
Why is soybean oil everywhere?
Australian nutritionist Lindy Cohen explains that Soybean oil is popular mainly because it is cheap and versatile.The industry loves it – and we consume it, often without even knowing it.
And let's not forget: when the label says "vegetable oil," there's a good chance it's - you guessed it - soybean oil.
What does this mean for us?
Although the research was conducted on mice, many genetic mechanisms match oursThis means that our bodies could also respond similarly – with more weight, poorer metabolism, and problems with insulin.
Therefore, experts advise: Instead of soybean oil, choose friendlier alternatives, such as:
- olive oil (which never goes out of fashion),
- or coconut oil, which deserves a little more recognition after this study.
Conclusion: Time to revamp your kitchen oil repertoire
Like old dietary dogmas, soybean oil took decades to come under scrutiny. Although it was long promoted as a healthy choice, we now know that it can have unpleasant consequences – especially when consumed regularly and in large quantities.
So, the next time you reach for a product with the label in the store “vegetable oils”, conjure up the image of a mouse with fatty liver and say to yourself, “Thanks, but I’d rather have the olive.”
