For a long time, many people — especially online health influencers — have said that seed oils are bad for your health. They warned against using oils like sunflower, canola, or sesame oil in cooking, calling them harmful or even toxic.
But now, a new study is challenging that belief.
At the 2025 American Society for Nutrition annual meeting, researchers shared findings that show seed oils may actually help reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The reason? Linoleic acid — a healthy fat found in seed oils.
The study looked at blood samples from nearly 1,900 people. It found that people who had higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood had lower signs of inflammation and better heart health. They also showed a lower risk of developing diabetes.
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“We saw that people with more linoleic acid in their blood had a healthier overall profile for heart disease and diabetes,” said Kevin C. Maki, a professor at Indiana University.
This study is more reliable than earlier ones because it was based on actual blood test results, not just surveys about what people ate.
Other health experts are supporting these findings too.
“Seed oils are actually healthy — they’re low in bad fats like saturated fats,” said Kerry Beeson, a nutrition expert from Prep Kitchen.
despite the bad reputation seed oils have gotten in recent years, science now says they’re not just safe — they might actually be good for you.
