Soybean oil accounts for 57% of all cooking oils in the United States and 30% around the world. In grocery stores, it is commonly labeled as “vegetable oil” and is primarily made from polyunsaturated fatty acids. It also contains the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, as well as the omega-6 fatty acid known as linoleic acid. Over 50% of soybean oil is actually made from linoleic acid. Studies in the past have shown that soybean oil may have heart health benefits. For example, one study found that it may help in reducing cholesterol levels and their coronary heart disease risk.
However, other recent research provides evidence that consuming too much soybean oil can increase an individual’s risk of certain health conditions, including obesity, dementia, type 2 diabetes, neuroinflammation, and ulcerative colitis. Soybean oil isn’t just used at homes either. Many restaurants utilize this oil while cooking, and it is also being incorporated into processed as well as ultraprocessed foods. As the prevalence of this cooking oil is increasing, it is essential to note the health effects of its consumption.
For this study, researchers used a genetically modified mouse model. These mice create an altered version of the liver protein HNF4α. This protein plays a crucial role in the development as well as function of the liver, pancreas, and lower gastrointestinal tract. According to the researchers of the study, this form of the protein only exists in humans under specific conditions, such as a chronic illness or metabolic stress. This protein would allow the mice to be resistant to weight gain in comparison to mice that did not have the protein.
At the end of the study, the researchers were able to prove that their hypothesis was correct. They discovered that genetically engineered mice on a high soybean oil diet gained significantly less weight than normal mice who had the same diet. Additionally, the genetically engineered mice had healthier livers and enhanced mitochondrial function. These findings demonstrate the mechanism by which soybean oil causes obesity in mice and can be used in the future for the development of therapeutic strategies against metabolic diseases.
As this study was performed on mice, it does not necessarily indicate a correlation between soybean oil and obesity. However, this study does shed light on how soybean oil can impact obesity. Soybean oil is widely used but has been shown to have detrimental effects, so finding an alternative would be important. The early findings indicate that soybean oil can contribute to obesity, but more research is needed in this area.
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