America’s Most Popular Cooking Oil Linked to Obesity in New StudyDec 01, 2025 at 10:18 AM EST By Jasmine Laws, US News Reporter A new study has found that soybean oil contributed to obesity in mice, prompting concern that the United States' most popular cooking oil could be playing a role in the country's obesity problem. The University of California, Riverside study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research in October, investigated how mice metabolized linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid widely present in soybean oil, by feeding them a high-fat diet based on the common cooking oil. While the study was conducted on mice, Frances Sladek, a UCR professor of cell biology and author of the study, told Newsweek that the findings "were translatable to humans as the pathways we found involved in soybean oil-induced obesity are highly conserved between mouse and human." Why It MattersSoybean oil is by far the most widely used cooking oil in the country, with rapeseed oil second and palm oil third, according to data from Statista. Soybean oil is also made up of more than 50 percent linoleic acid, Sladek said. The finding raises notable concern, not only because of the oil's popularity, but also because of America's high obesity rates—one in five children and two in five adults are obese in the U.S., meaning they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 30. Obesity is known to be associated with higher risks of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and strokes. The American diet has also been called into question by studies previously, as last year a study found that the majority of Americans ate a diet that promoted inflammation, increasing the risk of diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, depression and certain cancers. Stock image: A person pours soybean oil into a frying pan. | coffeekai/Getty Images What To KnowThe study specifically examined the effects of molecules called oxylipins on mice. These molecules are what linoleic acid is broken down into in the body, and so the higher the consumption of the acid, the higher the amount of these molecules will be in the body. While other fatty acids also break down into oxylipins, the oxylipins derived from linoleic acid were the ones the authors found contributed to obesity in mice. The finding is not new; the researchers noted this result in a previous study. What they did differently in this study was test the impact of a diet high in soybean oil in a group of male mice genetically engineered to express a different version of a liver regulatory gene, P2-HNF4α. This meant they had different metabolic pathways from the control group, as the genetic change reduced the activity of enzymes that convert linoleic acid into oxylipins. The researchers found that the modified mice had healthier livers and gained less weight than the control group on the same diet, further supporting the idea that oxylipins contribute to obesity. “This may be the first step toward understanding why some people gain weight more easily than others on a diet high in soybean oil,” said Sonia Deol, a UCR biomedical scientist and another author of the study. Although the researchers also note that the genetically modified mice had elevated oxylipins on a low-fat diet without becoming obese, suggesting that other metabolic factors are at play. Sladek said that they found that "it is the levels of the oxylipins present in the liver, not circulating in the blood, that correlate with obesity." However, he said that they aren't yet certain about "exactly how the oxylipins drive obesity." How Much Soybean Oil Do Americans Actually Consume?Consuming a small amount of linoleic acid is actually required for human health and is part of a healthy diet; however, the researchers noted that America has had a "remarkable increase" in its consumption of the oil over the past 50 years. The required amount of linoleic acid for health is around 1 to 2 percent of a person's calorific intake, the study authors noted, as small amounts play an important role in maintaining good health. Most Americans broadly have a much higher intake of linoleic acid at around 15 to 25 percent of their calorific intake, the study authors said. Sladek said that consuming small amounts of soybean oil is "perfectly safe and provides a good source of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid." He said that the problem is that "processed foods are becoming an ever larger part of our diet and many of those foods have soybean oil in them, or they have corn oil, safflower seed oil, sunflower seed oil — all these seed oils are made up of large amounts of linoleic acid, just like soybean oil." "So in general, we are taking in much more of these seed oils, all of which have high levels of linoleic acid, than our body needs," he added. What Does Soybean Oil Do to Your Body?It is not clear from the study how these findings would translate to the human body, and further research is needed to determine the impact of soybean oil on human health. However, the study authors note that the findings suggest the possible link warrants further investigation. Sladek said: "It took 100 years from the first observed link between chewing tobacco and cancer to get warning labels on cigarettes. We hope it won’t take that long for society to recognize the link between excessive soybean oil consumption and negative health effects." He also told Newsweek that in previous research, the team found that the soybean oil could impact the intestines, the microbiome and the hypothalamus. He said that while there is a growing body of evidence indicating that dietary linoleic acid is beneficial for the heart, "we have not looked at the impact of a soybean oil diet on the heart." "Different organs will respond differently to dietary linoleic acid and more research in general needs to be done," Sladek added. Other experts are not convinced of the findings, though. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, told Newsweek: "Much of the original research suggesting harms of omega-6 [polyunsaturated fatty acids], like this study, was done in mice or rats." "We’ve since clearly learned that humans are not mice, and that these effects don’t translate to what’s seen in humans," Mozaffarian said. "In mice, for example, high fat diets (from any source) cause obesity, whereas in humans, carbs are the problem." He said that in controlled trials in humans, soybean oil and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were found to "improve blood cholesterol levels, improve glucose control, and lower risk of heart attacks," while in "observational studies," these oils are "linked to less weight gain and obesity risk." Mozaffarian said that soybean oil is a "healthy oil for cooking," and pointed to studies finding that a tablespoon and a half daily of soybean oil could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, that the oil does not have pro-inflammatory effects, and that those who consumed 5 grams a day had a lower risk of "all-cause mortality." ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.newsweek.com/soybean-oil-linked-to-obesity-study-11133940
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Eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious foods on the planet. Yes, we are serious when we make that statement. They are a great source of protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, and contain a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. They are also low in carbs, making them perfectly suited for keto and carnivore diets. But whether you are following a low-carb, keto, paleo, or any other type of diet, there is probably an egg recipe that will suit your needs and preferences. There are many nutritional advantages to eggs, and to get the most out of them you want to consume both the whites and the yolks. Here are some of the benefits of eating eggs and some delicious ways to prepare them.
Protein and healthy fats
Eggs are a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. The high-quality protein found in eggs is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, bones, skin, and hair, as well as producing hormones and enzymes. Protein also helps you feel full and satisfied, which can prevent overeating and cravings. One egg contains about 6 grams of protein.
Eggs are a good source of healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats can lower the risk for heart disease and are beneficial for brain function and hormone production. Eggs are also one of the few natural sources of Vitamin D which is important for bone health and immune function.
Vitamins and minerals
Eggs are packed with many essential vitamins and minerals, including choline, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, folate, iron, and zinc. Choline is an important nutrient for brain health and development. Vitamin A is vital for vision, skin health, and immune function. Vitamin B12 is important for production of red blood cells, DNA, and nerve function. Folate is essential for cell division, DNA synthesis, and fetal development, and riboflavin is important for energy production, antioxidant defense, and eye health.
Of the minerals, phosphorous helps regulate acid-base balance, and is a component of bones, teeth, DNA, RNA, and cell membranes. Then selenium is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress and damage. It also supports thyroid function and reproductive health.
Antioxidants
Eggs contain two antioxidants that are especially beneficial for eye health: lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants accumulate in the retina and protect it from harmful blue light and age-related macular degeneration. They may also help prevent cataracts and improve visual acuity.
How to eat eggs
In addition to their nutritional advantages, eggs are also a versatile and affordable food. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, and they can be used as an ingredient in many different dishes.
There are many ways to enjoy eggs as part of a healthy diet. You can have them scrambled, boiled, poached, fried, baked, or made into an omelet or a frittata. You can also add them to salads, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, or stir-fries. You can even make egg muffins or egg cups for a quick and easy breakfast on the go.
Perfect for keto and carnivore diets
Keto and carnivore diets are both low-carb diets, and eggs are a naturally low-carb food. A large egg contains only 0.6 grams of carbs. Eggs are also high in protein and fat, which are the two main macronutrients that are consumed on keto and carnivore diets.
Eggs can be included in your keto or carnivore diet in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:
Breakfast: Eggs are a popular breakfast food on keto and carnivore diets. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as scrambled, fried, or omeleted. Eggs can also be used to make breakfast dishes such as quiches and frittatas.
Lunch: Eggs can also be included in lunch meals. For example, you could make an egg salad sandwich, a hard-boiled egg salad, or an egg wrap. Eggs can also be added to salads or soups.
Dinner: Eggs can also be included in dinner meals. For example, you could make a steak and eggs dish, a bacon and eggs dish, or an omelet with vegetables and meat.
Eggs are a versatile, nutritious, wonderful food that can provide you with many health benefits and delicious meals. They can be adapted to suit your preferences and needs. Everyone should include more eggs in their diet, especially if you are following a keto or carnivore diet.
Your choice of egg matters!
Of all the eggs available including caged, free-range, organic free-range, and pasture-raised, pasture-raised eggs are the best ones to eat.
Caged eggs are laid by hens that spend their entire life in cages. They eat, poop, and lay eggs in the same crowded cages. Free-range eggs are eggs laid by hens that are housed in cages but do have outdoor access. There will not be much nutritional difference between these two types of eggs.
However, Organic free-range eggs are laid by hens that have outdoor access and are fed organic feed. These eggs will have a higher vitamin content, but the prize has to go to Pasture-raised eggs. These eggs are laid by hens that spend their time outdoors during the day and only go indoors at night to sleep. As a result, they feed on whatever they can find in the pasture, including insects, bugs, grubs, grass, and whatever else they can find. Pasture-raised eggs are of superior quality compared to caged chickens, and you will see that reflected in the price.
Where to Buy?
We recommend buying local. Find a farmer, rancher, or other local person who is selling eggs in your local community. You can search for local eggs on Google, or you can use a site like EggsNearby.com where some individuals list or advertise eggs for sale.
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