America’s most widely consumed oil causes genetic changes in the brain

Soybean oil is America’s most widely consumed oil, but it may cause genetic changes in the brain. A new study from the University of California, Riverside, shows soybean oil not only leads to obesity and diabetes, but could also affect neurological conditions like autism, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression.

Used for fast food frying, added to packaged foods, and fed to livestock, soybean oil is by far the most widely produced and consumed edible oil in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Soybean oil is also often hidden in vegetable oils and is frequently used in salad dressing, says the UC Riverside researchers who authored the study.

Soybean oil has previously been deemed a “healthy” plant-based oil because it’s a polyunsaturated fat. But these new findings, which were discovered in a mouse study published in the journal Endocrinology, reveal that that might not be the case, according to the researchers.

It should be noted that other soy products, such as tofu or soy sauce, do not pose these risks and should still be enjoyed in healthy moderation.

Bottom line: Best to reduce how much soybean oil you eat.

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