Are seed oils really bad for you? Researchers unpack RFK Jr.'s claims

Life Kit

NPR

Health & Fitness, Self-improvement, Kids & Family, Education, Business

4.3 • 3.9K Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2025

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others have said that seed oils, like soybean, corn and sunflower oils, are poisoning Americans. But what does the research say? NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy speaks with nutrition and fatty acids scientists about the most common concerns with seed oils.

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0:00.0	Hey, everybody. It's Ian from How to Do Everything. On our show, we attempt to answer your how to questions.
0:06.1	We don't know how to do anything. So we call experts. Last season, both Tom Hanks and Martha Stewart
0:12.2	stopped by to help. Our next season is launching in just a few months. So get us your questions now
0:16.9	by emailing how to at npr.org or calling 1-800-424-2935.
0:24.1	You're listening to LifeKit from NPR.
0:29.2	Hey, it's Mariel.
0:31.2	One of the things we've been doing here at LifeKit is taking a look at topics that come up in the health and wellness space.
0:37.1	Claims people make in common concerns, especially about diet or medication.
0:41.3	Today, we're talking about seed oils.
0:43.8	Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said that seed oils,
0:47.3	like canola oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil, are poisoning Americans and can have dangerous health effects.
0:58.1	These oils are used a lot, especially in restaurants and in packaged foods.
1:01.2	So on this episode of Life Kit, seed oils.
1:02.8	What does the research say?
1:04.9	And what can you do if you're concerned?
1:08.7	NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy has been digging into this topic.
1:10.8	I talk to her after the break.
1:26.2	At Planet Money, we know that economic jargon can sometimes feel like speaking another language.
1:28.9	Yeah, like arbitrage, alpha,
1:34.2	autarchy. That's just what's in the news these days. There's also absolute advantage, aggregate demand, aggregate supply, and this is just the ace. Oh, animal spirits. That's a pretty good one.
1:39.7	Planet Money from NPR. We help you translate the economy so you can understand the world,
1:44.0	wherever you get your podcasts.
	...

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