A new study challenges the belief that seed oils are harmful by showing that they may lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. The research was presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida, and carries meaningful implications for Thai consumers amid ongoing discussions about cooking oils and chronic disease.
Seed oils, such as soybean and corn oil, are rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Critics have claimed these oils fuel inflammation and contribute to heart disease and diabetes. Yet in Thai kitchens they remain common staples, appearing in street-food stir-fries and packaged snacks alike.
The study, led by a senior researcher from a public health institution in the United States, evaluated nearly 1,900 adults from a Covid-19-era observational cohort. Rather than relying on self-reported diets, the team measured actual blood levels of linoleic acid. The lead scientist noted that higher linoleic acid in blood was linked to lower biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, including inflammation.
Participants with higher plasma linoleic acid tended to have lower glucose and insulin levels, reduced insulin resistance, and decreased inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein, glycoprotein acetyls, and serum amyloid A. The researchers emphasized consistent results across multiple indicators, suggesting a healthier overall risk profile for heart disease and diabetes.
This approach improves on earlier studies by using objective blood measurements instead of dietary questionnaires, strengthening the reliability of the findings. For Thai readers, this supports a nuanced view: unsaturated fats from seed oils can be part of a balanced diet that replaces saturated fats from animal and processed sources.
Thailand-specific considerations are important. Urban lifestyles and changing eating patterns have fueled debates about Westernized diets and processed ingredients. Public health officials in Thailand have long endorsed replacing saturated fats with unsaturated plant oils to reduce cardiovascular risk. The World Health Organization and Thai health authorities advise focusing on dietary patterns rather than vilifying a single oil. The ongoing debate about ultra-processed foods continues in Thai discourse.
Nutrition experts caution against overinterpretation. While the associations are compelling, they do not prove causation. Controlled intervention studies are needed to determine whether increasing linoleic acid directly improves heart and metabolic health. The research team plans to pursue such studies, comparing different oil types to tailor future dietary guidance.
Thai audiences are reminded that diet is one piece of the health puzzle. Thai cuisine features herbs, plant-based oils, and fresh vegetables that support long-term wellness. Moderation, variety, and whole foods remain more important than focusing on a single ingredient. A public health official in Bangkok has previously stressed that seed oils provide a practical way to include healthy unsaturated fats in meals, while the overall eating pattern matters most.
Thailand has faced nutritional shifts over generations, from past undernutrition to modern concerns about obesity and heart disease. The rise of plant-based and alternative diets in urban centers underscores the relevance of these findings for local food choices and health messaging. Researchers and health authorities alike advocate clear communication to counter online myths with robust evidence.
For practical guidance, Thais should incorporate more plant-based foods and healthy unsaturated fats into meals, while reducing saturated fats from animal sources. The Thai adage of kin pordee—eating in moderation—remains central. Ongoing nutrition education and transparent research will help navigate evolving food information in a modern Thai context.
Data from the study are reported in scientific outlets and commentary from nutrition professionals. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and major hospital networks continue to provide locally tailored recommendations based on current evidence.