Diet in soybean oil may cause diabetes, obesity: study

New studies have found that soybean oil might be altering our genes and causing a rise in metabolic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance, Twistedsifter reported.

To study the use of soybean oil on health, the experiment was conducted on mice which were divided into three groups.

The first group of mice consumed food high in normal soybean oil, the second group was fed in soybean oil from which linoleic acid was removed and the third group was given coconut oil.

It was discovered that the first and the second groups of mice had modified genes. Around 100 different types of hypothalamus genes had been affected. These genes are related to schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.

The most affected gene was the oxytocin, which is the happiness hormone. This gene regulates feelings such as euphoria and love, promotes social bonding, and also plays a major role in body weight.

The results of the study have helped researchers identify that linoleic acid is the main driver of the issue.

Further tests were conducted and it was found that stigmasterol also has negative effects.

Study author Poonamjot Deol has advised people to limit their use of soybean oil until the exact problem in soybean usage is identified.

She said, "If there’s one message, I want people to take away, it’s this: reduce consumption of soybean oil."