Oils & Fats · Cooking oil
Soybean & Vegetable Oil
Glycine max (soybean oil) · also called Soybean oil, salad oil, vegetable oil (label name)
Soybean oil is a common cooking and salad oil pressed or extracted from soybeans. It is all fat, mostly polyunsaturated, with some vitamin K. Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated oils lowers heart events in trials, but none tested soybean oil alone. The main cautions are vitamin K if you take warfarin and soy allergy. A bottle labelled only vegetable oil may hold other oils.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Soybean & Vegetable Oil
Soybean oil is a refined plant oil from soybeans. It is pure fat, mostly polyunsaturated, with a little plant omega-3 and some vitamins E and K. It is a food, not a proven remedy: the heart findings come from studies of polyunsaturated fat in general, and the harm claims come from mice and air tests.
What it is
Soybean oil comes from the seeds of the soybean plant, Glycine max, a legume. It is used for frying, baking and dressings and appears in many packaged foods. Bottles labelled only 'vegetable oil' are a label name, and what plants they hold was not found in the sources read, so check the ingredient list.
USDA data for soybean oil (salad or cooking), per 100 g: 884 kcal and 100 g of fat. That is 15.65 g saturated, 22.783 g monounsaturated and 57.74 g polyunsaturated fat, including 50.418 g of omega-6 linoleic acid and 6.789 g of omega-3 ALA. It has 8.18 mg of vitamin E, 183.9 mcg of vitamin K and 0.533 g of trans fat. A tablespoon (13.6 g) has about 120 kcal, 7.9 g polyunsaturated fat, 1.1 mg vitamin E and 25 mcg vitamin K.
ALA is not fish omega-3
Soybean oil has about 6.8 g of ALA per 100 g, or 0.92 g in a tablespoon. ALA is a plant omega-3. It is not the same as the omega-3 fats in fish. No trial of soybean oil ALA against heart outcomes was read.
What the research shows
The firmest findings are about swapping fats, not soybean oil alone. In 8 trials, replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat gave 19% fewer coronary events (RR 0.81). A Cochrane review of 15 trials found 21% fewer combined cardiovascular events when saturated fat was reduced, but little or no effect on death from any cause. The American Heart Association advises the same swap within a healthy diet pattern.
Omega-6 fat on its own is less clear. A Cochrane review of 19 trials found it may make little or no difference to deaths or heart events, and it lowered total cholesterol a little. A pooled analysis of 30 trials found no significant change in blood inflammation markers.
Claims of harm rest on weaker evidence. In male mice on a very high-fat diet, soybean oil plus coconut oil led to more weight gain and diabetes signs than mainly coconut oil. That does not show the same in people. A 2021 review calls the effect of linoleic acid on blood sugar unclear.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Used as a cooking, baking and salad oil and in many packaged foods
- Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition
Studied for research
- Fat, omega-6, omega-3 (ALA) and vitamins, high certainty for the nutrient content
- Heart events when it replaces saturated fat, moderate certainty for the swap, indirect for soybean oil
- Omega-6 fats and heart events, low certainty (little or no difference)
- Inflammation markers, low certainty (no significant change)
- Blood sugar and weight, insufficient evidence in people (mouse studies only)
- Fumes from deep-frying, very low certainty (air test, no people studied)
Main compounds
- Linoleic acid (omega-6)
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3)
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Saturated, monounsaturated and trans fat
Common forms
- Soybean oil, salad or cooking, as food (USDA values read)
- Bottles labelled 'vegetable oil' (contents not verified)
- Partially hydrogenated oils (a different product; see Safety)
- Soy foods, soy protein and supplements are different products and are not covered
Research links: 2010 review: polyunsaturated fat in place of saturated fat (8 trials) · 2018 Cochrane review: omega-6 fats and heart disease (19 trials) · 2017 review: linoleic acid and inflammation markers (30 trials) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Glycine max (L.) Merr.
- Naming authority
- (L.) Merr. (GBIF accepted; the plant whose seeds are pressed or extracted for soybean oil)
- Common names
- Soybean oil (English); Salad oil (English); Vegetable oil (a label name) (English); Aceite de soya (Spanish)
- Family or group
- Fabaceae (the legume or pea family), as given by GBIF. The oil is a processed fat, not the whole bean.
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Fabales > Fabaceae > Glycine > Glycine max
- Native range
- Not verified from a source read.
- Habitat
- Not verified from a source read.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: Not verified. The oil comes from the seeds of the soybean plant (existing nutrient summary; process not verified).
- Cultivation
- Not verified from a source read.
- Harvest and processing
- The existing nutrient summary says soybean oil is pressed or extracted from the seeds. How it is refined, bleached and deodorised was not verified from a source read. The FDA Q&A guidance uses the phrase 'highly refined oils' to mean refined, bleached, deodorized oils.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Bottles labelled 'vegetable oil'; Note: A label name; what plants are in them was not found in the sources read, so check the ingredient list.; Name: Soy foods, soy protein and soy lecithin; Note: Other products from the same plant with different nutrients and allergy questions; they have their own pages.; Name: Corn, sunflower, canola and other plant oils; Note: Other cooking oils with different fat mixes.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed.
Photographs
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) PubChem 5280450 | polyunsaturated fatty acid | Seed oil USDA: 50.418 g per 100 g (about 6.9 g in a tablespoon) | The main fat in soybean oil. In trials, omega-6 fats lowered total cholesterol a little and made little or no difference to deaths or heart events; effects on inflammation markers were not significant overall. 16 5 9 | Human data |
| Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3) PubChem 5280934 | polyunsaturated fatty acid | Seed oil USDA: 6.789 g per 100 g (about 0.92 g in a tablespoon) | A plant omega-3. It is not the same as the omega-3 fats in fish. No trial of soybean oil ALA against heart outcomes was read. In a kitchen test, total aldehydes from heated oil rose with the ALA share. 16 2 | Lab |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) PubChem 14985 | vitamin | Seed oil USDA: 8.18 mg per 100 g (about 1.1 mg in a tablespoon) | MedlinePlus lists vegetable oils among food sources of vitamin E. No trial of soybean oil for any vitamin E outcome was read. 16 14 | Nutrient database |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) PubChem 5284607 | vitamin | Seed oil USDA: 183.9 mcg per 100 g (about 25 mcg in a tablespoon) | Helps the liver make clotting factors and can work against warfarin. 16 15 | Authoritative guidance |
| Saturated, monounsaturated and trans fat | fats | Seed oil USDA per 100 g: saturated 15.65 g, monounsaturated 22.783 g, trans 0.533 g | Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated fat is linked to fewer heart events in trials. 16 7 6 | Human data |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol (replacing saturated fat) | Not specified in the sources read | The AHA advisory says that replacing saturated with unsaturated fats lowers LDL cholesterol, a cause of atherosclerosis, which links the biology to fewer heart events. 8 | Human data |
| Liver gene activity and fat storage | Cytochrome P450 genes (Cyp3a, Cyp2c families) and others, as named in the abstract | In male mice on a diet with 40% of calories from fat (soybean plus coconut oil), liver gene activity changed and the liver accumulated polyunsaturated fats and gamma-tocopherol. Mouse finding only. 3 | Animal research |
| Heat breakdown of fats into aldehydes | Not applicable | In a kitchen test, total aldehydes from heated oil rose with ALA share and two specific aldehydes tracked linoleic acid share. This is a chemistry result, not a body mechanism. 2 | Lab |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found for soybean oil in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not established in the sources read.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The cholesterol and heart results are for polyunsaturated fat or omega-6 fat in general, not for soybean oil alone. The mouse results are for diets with 40% of calories from fat, which is not the same as using a few tablespoons for cooking. Soy foods, soy protein and soy lecithin are different products from the refined oil.
Nutritional composition
Nutrition from USDA FoodData Central, item 171411, Oil, soybean, salad or cooking (SR Legacy, April 2018 release; values read 2026-10-26 from a saved copy of the data). Per 100 g: 884 kcal, 100 g total fat (15.65 g saturated, 22.783 g monounsaturated, 57.74 g polyunsaturated, of which 50.418 g linoleic acid and 6.789 g alpha-linolenic acid), 0.533 g trans fat, 0 g protein, carbohydrate, fibre and sugar, 0 mg cholesterol, sodium and potassium, 8.18 mg vitamin E and 183.9 mcg vitamin K. One typical USDA portion of 1 tablespoon (13.6 g, the 100 g values multiplied by 0.136): about 120 kcal, 13.6 g fat (2.1 g saturated, 3.1 g monounsaturated, 7.9 g polyunsaturated, 6.9 g linoleic acid, 0.92 g ALA), 0.07 g trans fat, 1.1 mg vitamin E and 25.0 mcg vitamin K. USDA also lists a vitamin D value for this item that looks like a database artifact for a plant oil, so it is not used. Blends sold as 'vegetable oil' were not read.
1 high certainty1 moderate certainty2 low certainty1 very low certainty1 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 6 benefits and uses checked for Soybean & Vegetable Oil, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Fat, omega-6 and omega-3 (nutrient content)High certainty
- Cholesterol and heart events (swapping saturated fat for unsaturated oil)Moderate certainty
- Omega-6 fats and heart eventsLow certainty
- Inflammation markers in the blood (linoleic acid)Low certainty
- Blood sugar and body weightNot enough evidence
- Fumes from deep-fryingVery low certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Total cholesterolLDL cholesterolC-reactive protein (CRP)
What is Soybean & Vegetable Oil good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most results are for polyunsaturated fat in general, not soybean oil alone.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Fat, omega-6 and omega-3 (nutrient content)
High certaintySoybean oil is all fat: 884 kcal per 100 g, about 120 kcal in a tablespoon. Most of that fat is polyunsaturated, mainly omega-6 linoleic acid, and it also has some plant omega-3 (ALA), vitamin E and vitamin K.
2 studiesSoybean oil, salad or cooking (USDA SR Legacy item 171411). Other soy…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial was read that tested the oil as a way to correct a nutrient shortfall. These are food-table values.
Results
By USDA data, per tablespoon (13.6 g): about 120 kcal, 13.6 g fat, 2.1 g saturated, 3.1 g monounsaturated, 7.9 g polyunsaturated (6.9 g linoleic acid, 0.92 g ALA), 1.1 mg vitamin E and 25 mcg vitamin K.
Effect sizes as reported
Per 100 g: 884 kcal; fat 100 g (saturated 15.65 g, monounsaturated 22.783 g, polyunsaturated 57.74 g); linoleic acid 50.418 g; ALA 6.789 g; vitamin E 8.18 mg; vitamin K 183.9 mcg; trans fat 0.533 g; cholesterol 0 mg.
Why this rating
High that the oil contains these amounts (USDA data for one item, salad or cooking soybean oil). Brands and blends differ. Not tested as a treatment for any shortfall.
Form and dose studied
Soybean oil, salad or cooking (USDA SR Legacy item 171411). Other soybean oil products and bottles labelled only vegetable oil were not read.
Who was studied
General adult diet.
Limits
Nutrient facts, not trials. The USDA item is an older database entry. Bottles labelled vegetable oil may contain other oils.
Why researchers looked
People use soybean oil as a main cooking and salad oil, so the first question is what it contains.
Traditional use
Soybean oil is used in cooking, baking, dressings and many packaged foods. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Nutrient database
These are the amounts in the oil, taken from USDA tables.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The vitamin K content matters for people on warfarin; see the Safety tab.
Cholesterol and heart events (swapping saturated fat for unsaturated oil)
Moderate certaintyIn trials, replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated vegetable oil lowered heart events, by 19% in one pooled analysis of 8 trials, and the American Heart Association says it lowers LDL cholesterol. None of this was tested with soybean oil alone.
3 studiesMixed polyunsaturated fats and vegetable oils in the trials; the Coch…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A pooled analysis of 8 trials (13,614 people, 1,042 coronary events) found 19% fewer coronary heart disease events when polyunsaturated fat replaced saturated fat (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.95). A Cochrane review of 15 trials (about 59,000 people) found a 21% cut in combined cardiovascular events when saturated fat was reduced (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.93, GRADE moderate), but little or no effect on death from any cause. The AHA advisory reports about a 30% cut in cardiovascular disease in trials that swapped saturated fat for polyunsaturated vegetable oil. These trials used mixed polyunsaturated fats or advice to cut saturated fat, not soybean oil on its own.
Results
A fairly consistent drop in heart events when unsaturated oil replaces saturated fat. It describes a swap, not adding oil to an unchanged diet.
Effect sizes as reported
Pooled trials: coronary events RR 0.81 (0.70 to 0.95). Cochrane: combined cardiovascular events RR 0.79 (0.66 to 0.93); all-cause mortality RR 0.96 (0.90 to 1.03). AHA advisory: about 30% reduction in trials of swapping to polyunsaturated vegetable oil.
Why this rating
Moderate for the swap (the Cochrane review rates combined events GRADE moderate-quality). Indirect for soybean oil, which was not tested alone, so this is not a promise about soybean oil. The Cochrane review was funded by the World Health Organization.
Form and dose studied
Mixed polyunsaturated fats and vegetable oils in the trials; the Cochrane review also covers advice to cut saturated fat with other replacements.
Who was studied
Adults with and without heart disease.
Limits
No soybean-oil-only trial was read. Large differences between trials. Older trials. The benefit depends on what the oil replaces.
Why researchers looked
Soybean oil is a common polyunsaturated oil, and health bodies advise swapping saturated for unsaturated fat.
Traditional use
Soybean oil is eaten as a cooking oil. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
The AHA advisory says replacing saturated with unsaturated fats lowers LDL cholesterol, which links the biology with fewer heart events.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab for vitamin K and warfarin, soy allergy and heated oil.
Omega-6 fats and heart events
Low certaintyA Cochrane review of 19 trials found that more omega-6 fat (the main fat in soybean oil) may make little or no difference to deaths or heart events. It lowered total cholesterol a little.
1 studiesLinoleic acid from various foods and oils, and GLA supplements; not s…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
The Cochrane review of 19 trials (6,461 people, followed 1 to 8 years; 12 trials of linoleic acid and 7 of GLA supplements) found low-quality evidence that more omega-6 fat may make little or no difference to all-cause mortality (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.12) or cardiovascular events (RR 0.97, 0.81 to 1.15). It was uncertain for cardiovascular death, coronary events and stroke (very low quality). Heart attacks may be slightly fewer (RR 0.88, 0.76 to 1.02; low quality).
Results
No clear benefit or harm for deaths or heart events from more omega-6 fat. Only a small fall in total cholesterol.
Effect sizes as reported
All-cause mortality RR 1.00; CVD events RR 0.97; heart attack RR 0.88; total cholesterol -0.33 mmol/L (95% CI -0.50 to -0.16).
Why this rating
Low quality evidence for deaths and events, as rated by the Cochrane authors. Only 3 of 19 trials had low risk of bias. Not specific to soybean oil. The review was funded by the World Health Organization.
Form and dose studied
Linoleic acid from various foods and oils, and GLA supplements; not soybean oil alone.
Who was studied
Adults with or without cardiovascular disease.
Limits
Mixed fats and supplements. Trials of 1 to 8 years. Results from replacing different fats are mixed together.
Why researchers looked
Soybean oil is about half linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat, and people ask whether omega-6 helps or harms the heart.
Traditional use
Omega-6 fats are part of ordinary diets. Long use as food is not proof of benefit.
Proposed mechanism Systematic review
In the trials, omega-6 fats usually took the place of saturated or monounsaturated fats. Total cholesterol fell a little.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific. See the Safety tab.
Inflammation markers in the blood (linoleic acid)
Low certaintyPooled trials of 1,377 people found that eating more linoleic acid, the main fat in soybean oil, did not significantly change blood inflammation markers. This does not show an anti-inflammatory benefit either.
1 studiesDietary linoleic acid from various sources.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A meta-analysis of 30 randomised trials (1,377 adults) found no significant effect of higher linoleic acid intake on TNF, IL-6, adiponectin, MCP-1, fibrinogen or adhesion molecules. For C-reactive protein (16 studies) the change was not significant (SMD 0.09, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.24). A subgroup analysis suggested that a very large rise in linoleic acid intake might raise CRP.
Results
No significant change in blood inflammation markers overall. A possible rise in CRP only with very large increases in linoleic acid.
Effect sizes as reported
CRP SMD 0.09 (-0.05 to 0.24); IL-6 SMD 0.11 (-0.07 to 0.29); TNF SMD -0.01 (-0.19 to 0.17).
Why this rating
The meta-analysis found little difference between studies, but for some markers only a few studies were included, and the authors did not give a GRADE rating. Linoleic acid came from various sources, not soybean oil alone. Blood markers are not illnesses.
Form and dose studied
Dietary linoleic acid from various sources.
Who was studied
Adults.
Limits
No soybean-oil-only trial. Blood markers only. Few studies for some markers.
Why researchers looked
A popular claim says seed oils such as soybean oil cause inflammation, so researchers measured inflammation markers after eating more linoleic acid.
Traditional use
Not a traditional use. This is a modern question.
Proposed mechanism Systematic review
Not established. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fat that the body uses to make other fats; the abstracts read do not test a mechanism.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific.
Blood sugar and body weight
Not enough evidenceIn male mice on a very high-fat diet, adding soybean oil to coconut oil led to more weight gain and diabetes signs than mainly coconut oil. A 2021 review says what linoleic acid does to blood sugar control in people is unclear.
3 studiesMouse diets with 40% of calories from fat (soybean oil plus coconut o…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial in people was read that tested soybean oil for blood sugar or weight. The Cochrane omega-6 review found moderate-quality evidence of probably little or no effect of more omega-6 fat on body mass index (one trial, 371 people, MD -0.20 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.16). The 2021 review by Hamilton and Klett says sex, genetics, environment and disease status can change how linoleic acid affects insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake.
Results
Animal results suggest a harm in a high-fat mouse diet. Human evidence on soybean oil is absent, and the human-relevant reviews are inconclusive.
Effect sizes as reported
Mouse study: no numbers in the abstract. Body mass index: MD -0.20 kg/m2 (-0.56 to 0.16) in one trial of omega-6 fat.
Why this rating
Insufficient for people. The mouse result is animal-only evidence (very low relevance to cooking use) and the human evidence is one small trial of omega-6 fat in general plus a narrative review.
Form and dose studied
Mouse diets with 40% of calories from fat (soybean oil plus coconut oil). A narrative review of linoleic acid in people. Not soybean oil as eaten in cooking.
Who was studied
Male C57/BL6 mice; adults in the Cochrane trial.
Limits
Animal-only for obesity and diabetes claims. The comparison diet was mainly coconut oil, not another unsaturated oil. A narrative review is not a systematic one.
Why researchers looked
Some researchers have proposed that rising soybean oil use has played a part in obesity, so animal and lab studies tested it.
Traditional use
Not a traditional use. This is a modern question.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
In the mouse study, liver gene activity changed, including cytochrome P450 genes. This is an animal finding and was not shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific. See the Safety tab.
Fumes from deep-frying
Very low certaintyIn a simulated kitchen, deep-frying with soybean oil gave off the most gaseous aldehydes of the three oils tested. This measured the air, not anyone's health.
1 studiesSoybean, palm and olive oil, deep-frying in a simulated kitchen.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study of the health effects of heated soybean oil was read. The lab test compared palm, olive and soybean oil while deep-frying food. The authors say olive oil seems better than soybean and palm oils for toxic emissions during deep-frying.
Results
Soybean oil gave off the highest gaseous aldehydes (3636 +/- 607 micrograms per cubic metre) in a kitchen test.
Effect sizes as reported
Aldehydes 3636 +/- 607 micrograms per cubic metre; correlation with ALA share rs = 0.78 (p < 0.01).
Why this rating
Very low as health evidence: it is an air-measurement lab test with no people studied.
Form and dose studied
Soybean, palm and olive oil, deep-frying in a simulated kitchen.
Limits
Lab only. It does not say how much harm, if any, this causes at home.
Why researchers looked
Heated oils give off gases and particles, and researchers compared oils with different fatty acid make-up.
Traditional use
Frying is a common way to use soybean oil.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory analysis
The authors found that total aldehydes rose with the share of alpha-linolenic acid in the oil, and that two specific aldehydes tracked linoleic acid.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab on heated oil and ventilation.
Connections to the rest of health
How Soybean & Vegetable Oil connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Nutrition | High certainty | Fat, omega-6 and omega-3 (nutrient content): Soybean oil is all fat: 884 kcal per 100 g, about 120 kcal in a tablespoon. Most of that fat is polyunsaturated, mainly omega-6 linoleic acid, and it also has some plant omega-3 (ALA), vitamin E and vitamin K. | 16 14 | |
| Cholesterol Balance | Moderate certainty | Cholesterol and heart events (swapping saturated fat for unsaturated oil): In trials, replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated vegetable oil lowered heart events, by 19% in one pooled analysis of 8 trials, and the American Heart Association says it lowers LDL cholesterol. None of this was tested with soybean oil alone. | 7 6 8 | |
| Heart Health | Moderate certainty | Cholesterol and heart events (swapping saturated fat for unsaturated oil): In trials, replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated vegetable oil lowered heart events, by 19% in one pooled analysis of 8 trials, and the American Heart Association says it lowers LDL cholesterol. None of this was tested with soybean oil alone. | 7 6 8 | |
| Heart Health | Low certainty | Omega-6 fats and heart events: A Cochrane review of 19 trials found that more omega-6 fat (the main fat in soybean oil) may make little or no difference to deaths or heart events. It lowered total cholesterol a little. | 5 | |
| Cholesterol Balance | Low certainty | Omega-6 fats and heart events: A Cochrane review of 19 trials found that more omega-6 fat (the main fat in soybean oil) may make little or no difference to deaths or heart events. It lowered total cholesterol a little. | 5 | |
| Inflammation Balance | Low certainty | Inflammation markers in the blood (linoleic acid): Pooled trials of 1,377 people found that eating more linoleic acid, the main fat in soybean oil, did not significantly change blood inflammation markers. This does not show an anti-inflammatory benefit either. | 9 | |
| Blood Sugar Balance | Not enough evidence | Blood sugar and body weight: In male mice on a very high-fat diet, adding soybean oil to coconut oil led to more weight gain and diabetes signs than mainly coconut oil. A 2021 review says what linoleic acid does to blood sugar control in people is unclear. | 3 4 5 | |
| Weight Management | Not enough evidence | Blood sugar and body weight: In male mice on a very high-fat diet, adding soybean oil to coconut oil led to more weight gain and diabetes signs than mainly coconut oil. A 2021 review says what linoleic acid does to blood sugar control in people is unclear. | 3 4 5 | |
| Preventive Wellness | Preliminary mechanism | Very low certainty | Fumes from deep-frying: In a simulated kitchen, deep-frying with soybean oil gave off the most gaseous aldehydes of the three oils tested. This measured the air, not anyone's health. | 2 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrition | Biological association | High certainty | Studied for: Fat, omega-6 and omega-3 (nutrient content) | 16 14 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Moderate certainty | Studied for: Cholesterol and heart events (swapping saturated fat for unsaturated oil) Studied for: Omega-6 fats and heart events | 7 6 8 5 |
| Pain Inflammation | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Inflammation markers in the blood (linoleic acid) | 9 |
| Metabolism Weight | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Blood sugar and body weight | 3 4 5 |
| Cellular | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Fumes from deep-frying | 2 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food allergy | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | Soybeans are a major food allergen; 0 of 7 soybean-allergic people reacted to commercial soybean oils in one small 1985 study. Preparation or compound: Soy protein (traces in the oil) |
11 1 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Biological association | Moderate certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| LDL cholesterol | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 5 8 |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: no clear change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 9 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega-6 linoleic acid | Preliminary mechanism | Human | The main fat in soybean oil; trials of omega-6 fats show little or no change in deaths or heart events and a small fall in total cholesterol. | 16 5 |
| Vitamin K | Preliminary mechanism | Authoritative guidance | A source of vitamin K, which matters for people on warfarin. | 16 15 |
| Cytochrome P450 genes (mouse liver) | Preliminary mechanism | Animal | Liver gene activity changed in mice on a high-fat soybean-oil diet; not shown in people. | 3 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | Biological association | Human | The main fat in soybean oil. In trials, omega-6 fats lowered total cholesterol a little and made little or no difference to deaths or heart events; effects on inflammation markers were not significant overall. Preparation or compound: Seed oil |
16 5 9 |
| Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3) | Biological association | Lab | A plant omega-3. It is not the same as the omega-3 fats in fish. No trial of soybean oil ALA against heart outcomes was read. In a kitchen test, total aldehydes from heated oil rose with the ALA share. Preparation or compound: Seed oil |
16 2 |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | Biological association | Nutrient database | MedlinePlus lists vegetable oils among food sources of vitamin E. No trial of soybean oil for any vitamin E outcome was read. Preparation or compound: Seed oil |
16 14 |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | Biological association | Authoritative guidance | Helps the liver make clotting factors and can work against warfarin. Preparation or compound: Seed oil |
16 15 |
| Saturated, monounsaturated and trans fat | Biological association | Human | Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated fat is linked to fewer heart events in trials. Preparation or compound: Seed oil |
16 7 6 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Soybean & Vegetable Oil. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing soybean and vegetable oil summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central data, read the FDA allergen Q&A guidance, FDA allergen and trans fat pages and MedlinePlus pages, checked the plant name against GBIF, and re-checked nine PubMed records by summary and abstract. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps. Little oil-specific research exists, so this page is shorter than most.
Study library: every study we checked 16
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bush 1985 Soybean oil is not allergenic to soybean-sensitive individuals. J Allergy Clin Immunol · PMID 3894482 · DOI |
Randomised double blind crossover trial |
7 7 people with a history of allergic reactions to soybean and positive skin tests to soybean extract |
Three commercial soybean oils and olive oil (control) Commercial soybean oil swallowed in capsules 2, 5 and 8 ml at 30-minute intervals Four separate challenge days · vs Olive oil |
No reactions to any of the three commercial soybean oils or to olive oil. The authors conclude that soybean oil does not appear to pose a risk to soybean-sensitive people. 0 of 7 people reacted (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Allergic reactions after swallowing the oil Limitations: Very small and old (1985). Only three commercial oils and amounts up to 8 ml were tested. The abstract does not say how refined the oils were. It cannot prove every soybean oil is safe for every allergic person. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Chiang 2022 Particulate matters, aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced from deep-frying emissions: comparisons of three cooking oils with distinct fatty acid profiles. NPJ Sci Food · PMID 35660737 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis n/a |
Deep-frying with palm, olive and soybean oil in a simulated kitchen | Soybean oil, palm oil and olive oil heated for deep-frying Cooking oil, heated · vs Palm and olive oil |
Soybean oil gave off the highest level of gaseous aldehydes (3636 +/- 607 micrograms per cubic metre), including acrolein. Total aldehydes rose with the share of alpha-linolenic acid in the oil. Palm oil gave off the most particles and PAHs. The authors say olive oil seems better than soybean and palm oils for toxic emissions during deep-frying. Soybean oil aldehydes 3636 +/- 607 micrograms per cubic metre; correlation with ALA share rs = 0.78 (p < 0.01 for the ALA correlation) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Particles, gaseous aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the air Limitations: It measures air in a simulated kitchen. It did not measure illness in anyone. The abstract does not say how many fry runs were done. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Deol 2015 Soybean Oil Is More Obesogenic and Diabetogenic than Coconut Oil and Fructose in Mouse: Potential Role for the Liver. PLoS One · PMID 26200659 · DOI |
Animal study mouse |
Male C57/BL6 mice on isocaloric diets | Diet with 40% of calories as fat from coconut oil plus soybean oil, compared with mainly coconut oil Soybean oil in a high-fat diet 40% of calories from fat · vs Mainly coconut oil diet |
Mice on the soybean-plus-coconut-oil diet gained more weight and fat and had more diabetes signs, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, plus fatty livers, than mice on mainly coconut oil. Liver gene activity (including cytochrome P450 genes) changed. No numbers in the abstract (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Weight gain, body fat, blood sugar, liver changes and gene activity Limitations: Male mice only, on a diet with 40% of calories from fat. Mouse results do not show the same in people eating soybean oil in cooking. The comparison diet was mainly coconut oil, not another unsaturated oil. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Hamilton 2021 Linoleic acid and the regulation of glucose homeostasis: A review of the evidence. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · PMID 34763302 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Narrative review of evidence on linoleic acid and blood sugar control | Linoleic acid (LA) Dietary linoleic acid |
The authors say evidence suggests that sex, genetics, environmental factors and disease status can change how linoleic acid affects insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake and insulin secretion. The abstract states that the evidence on how more dietary LA could promote inflammation and affect glucose metabolism is unclear. No numbers in the abstract (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, insulin secretion, beta-cell function Limitations: A narrative review, not a systematic one. It covers linoleic acid from all sources, not soybean oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract (the record lists NIH extramural support). Read: abstract |
| Hooper 2018 Omega-6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 30488422 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
6461 19 randomised trials, 6,461 adults followed 1 to 8 years (12 trials of linoleic acid, 7 of GLA supplements) |
Higher omega-6 fat intake (linoleic acid or GLA) Dietary or supplemental omega-6 fat 1 to 8 years · vs Lower omega-6 intake |
Low-quality evidence that more omega-6 fat may make little or no difference to all-cause mortality or cardiovascular events. Very low quality for cardiovascular death, coronary events and stroke. Heart attack risk may be a little lower (low quality). High-quality evidence that total cholesterol fell a little. LDL, HDL, triglycerides and body mass index changed little or not at all. All-cause mortality RR 1.00; CVD events RR 0.97; heart attack RR 0.88; total cholesterol -0.33 mmol/L; LDL -0.04 mmol/L (95% CI 0.88 to 1.12; 0.81 to 1.15; 0.76 to 1.02; -0.50 to -0.16; -0.21 to 0.14) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: All-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, blood lipids, body mass Limitations: Only three of 19 trials had low risk of bias. The omega-6 fats were linoleic acid or GLA from many sources, not soybean oil alone. Large differences between trials for cholesterol (I2 81%). Funding and conflicts: Funded by a grant from the World Health Organization to the authors' university. Read: abstract |
| Hooper 2020 Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 32428300 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
59000 15 randomised trials (16 comparisons), about 59,000 adults |
Reduced saturated fat, replaced with polyunsaturated fat, carbohydrate, monounsaturated fat or protein Dietary fat At least 24 months · vs Higher saturated fat or usual diet |
Reducing saturated fat for at least two years reduced combined cardiovascular events by 21% (GRADE moderate quality). There was little or no effect on all-cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality. Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat or carbohydrate seemed useful; replacement with monounsaturated fat was unclear. Small reductions in total and LDL cholesterol. Combined cardiovascular events RR 0.79 (11 trials, 53,300 people); all-cause mortality RR 0.96 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.93 for events; 0.90 to 1.03 for all-cause mortality) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Mortality, cardiovascular events, blood lipids Limitations: This is the May 2020 version of the review; the abstract notes an update published in August 2020 that was not read. The review is about cutting saturated fat, not about soybean oil. Large differences between trials (I2 65%). Funding and conflicts: Funded by a grant from the World Health Organization; the lead author sits on a WHO nutrition guidance group. Read: abstract |
| Mozaffarian 2010 Effects on coronary heart disease of increasing polyunsaturated fat in place of saturated fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS Med · PMID 20351774 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
13614 8 randomised trials, 13,614 participants, 1,042 coronary heart disease events |
Polyunsaturated fat (mostly vegetable oils) Dietary fat Intervention groups averaged 14.9% of energy from polyunsaturated fat versus 5.0% in controls At least 1 year · vs Control diets with more saturated fat |
Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat lowered coronary heart disease events by 19% overall, about 10% for each 5% of energy shifted. Longer trials showed bigger benefits. RR 0.81 overall; RR 0.90 per 5% of energy (95% CI 0.70 to 0.95 overall; 0.83 to 0.97 per 5% of energy) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Coronary heart disease (heart attack and cardiac death) Limitations: Eight trials; the fats were mixed polyunsaturated fats, not soybean oil alone. The trials are old (searched to June 2009). Funding and conflicts: The first author reports grants from the US NIH and others and an investigator-initiated fish oil trial supported by drug and supplement companies; he also reports honoraria from food-industry and public-health groups. Read: abstract |
| Sacks 2017 Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation · PMID 28620111 · DOI |
Expert advisory review |
Review of trials and observational studies of dietary fats | Polyunsaturated vegetable oil in place of saturated fat Oils as part of the diet · vs Higher saturated fat intake |
Trials that lowered saturated fat and replaced it with polyunsaturated vegetable oil reduced CVD by about 30%. Replacing saturated with unsaturated fat lowers LDL cholesterol. The authors conclude that lowering saturated fat and replacing it with unsaturated fats, especially polyunsaturated, will lower CVD, within an overall healthful diet. CVD reduced by about 30% in the trials the authors reviewed (Not stated in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), LDL cholesterol Limitations: An expert advisory review, not a new trial. It is about polyunsaturated vegetable oils as a group, not soybean oil alone. It carries an erratum. Funding and conflicts: Written by an American Heart Association panel; the AHA says panel members complete conflict-of-interest disclosures. Read: abstract |
| Su 2017 Dietary linoleic acid intake and blood inflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct · PMID 28752873 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
1377 30 randomised trials, 1,377 adults |
Higher dietary linoleic acid (LA) Dietary linoleic acid · vs Lower LA intake |
No significant effect of higher LA intake on TNF, IL-6, adiponectin, MCP-1, CRP, fibrinogen, PAI-1 or adhesion molecules. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis suggested that a very large rise in LA intake might raise CRP. CRP SMD 0.09 (16 studies); IL-6 SMD 0.11; TNF SMD -0.01 (CRP 95% CI -0.05 to 0.24; IL-6 -0.07 to 0.29; TNF -0.19 to 0.17) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood inflammation markers: cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, adhesion molecules Limitations: Only a limited number of studies for some markers. Linoleic acid came from various sources, not soybean oil alone. Blood markers are not disease outcomes. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| s-fda-allergen-qa FDA: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen Labeling Requirements (Edition 5, January 2025), question D.9 on oils · Source |
Regulator guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-fda-allergens FDA: Food Allergies (page current as of 03/11/2026) · Source |
Regulator guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-fda-pho FDA: Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Removing Trans Fat) (content current as of 10/01/2024) · Source |
Regulator guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-gbif-glycine-max GBIF Backbone: Glycine max (L.) Merr. (usageKey 5359660) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-medlineplus-vite MedlinePlus: Vitamin E in diet (review date 1/21/2025) · Source |
Regulator guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-medlineplus-vitk MedlinePlus: Vitamin K in diet (review date 1/21/2025) · Source |
Regulator guidance n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-171411 USDA FoodData Central: Oil, soybean, salad or cooking (FDC 171411, SR Legacy, April 2018) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of soybean oil on its own was found for cholesterol or heart events; the best evidence is for polyunsaturated fat in general.
- Human evidence on blood sugar and weight is absent; the harm claims come from male mice on a very high-fat diet.
- No human study of health effects from heated soybean oil was read.
- What a bottle labelled 'vegetable oil' contains, plus contamination, smoke point, storage, and advice for pregnancy, children or kidney disease, were not found in the sources read.
- The Cochrane saturated fat review used is the May 2020 version; a later update was not read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 2
Total cholesterol
Lowered in trials
All the cholesterol carried in the blood. High levels are linked to more heart disease.
Moderate certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is a common blood marker in diet trials of fats.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A small average fall for omega-6 fats in general. Large differences between trials. Soybean oil alone was not tested.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Total cholesterol -0.33 mmol/L (95% CI -0.50 to -0.16) with more omega-6 fat; rated high-quality evidence by the review authors | 4,280 adults in 10 trials | More omega-6 fat (linoleic acid or GLA), 1 to 8 years across trials |
LDL cholesterol
Lowered in trials
The 'bad' cholesterol carried in the blood. Higher levels are linked to more heart disease.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is the usual blood marker used in diet trials for heart risk.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Cutting saturated fat lowers LDL a little. Adding omega-6 on its own showed no clear LDL change in 2 small trials. The AHA says the swap lowers LDL.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Small reductions in LDL cholesterol with less saturated fat (no number in the abstract) | About 59,000 adults in 15 trials | Reduced saturated fat, replaced with polyunsaturated fat, carbohydrate, monounsaturated fat or protein |
| 5 | LDL -0.04 mmol/L (95% CI -0.21 to 0.14) with more omega-6 fat; low quality | 244 adults in 2 trials | More omega-6 fat |
Other 1
C-reactive protein (CRP)
No clear change in trials
A blood marker that rises with inflammation in the body.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is the most common inflammation marker in diet trials.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
No significant change overall. A subgroup analysis suggested a possible rise with very large increases in linoleic acid.
Safety implication
Not established; the possible rise was a subgroup finding.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | CRP SMD 0.09 (95% CI -0.05 to 0.24), not significant, with higher linoleic acid intake | Adults in 16 randomised studies | Higher dietary linoleic acid from various sources |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- Vitamin K and warfarin. USDA lists 183.9 mcg of vitamin K per 100 g of soybean oil, about 25 mcg in a tablespoon. MedlinePlus says people taking warfarin should keep the amount of vitamin K-containing foods the same every day, because sudden changes can change how the medicine works. The MedlinePlus page does not name soybean oil, so this is a general vitamin K rule applied to a food that USDA shows contains vitamin K. Tell your care team if you use a lot of soybean oil or change how much you use. Authoritative guidance 16 15
- Soy allergy. The US FDA lists soybeans among the nine major food allergens. In a small 1985 double-blind study, 7 soybean-allergic people had no reactions to three commercial soybean oils (up to 8 ml). That study is small and old and cannot prove safety for everyone. Highly refined oils are exempt from the US allergen labeling rule, but the source must still be in the oil's name (for example, soybean oil). Ask your allergist about your own case. Clinical trial and regulator 11 1 10
- Partially hydrogenated oils and trans fat. USDA lists 0.533 g of trans fat per 100 g of soybean oil (about 0.07 g in a tablespoon). In 2015 the FDA determined that partially hydrogenated oils are not generally recognized as safe. Check ingredient lists for 'partially hydrogenated' on older or imported products. Authoritative guidance 16 12
- Heated oil. In a kitchen test of deep-frying, soybean oil gave off the most gaseous aldehydes of three oils. This is an air measurement, not a study of illness. Good ventilation while frying is common sense, not a finding of this test. Laboratory analysis 2
Side effects 2
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction to soy (rash, hives, swelling, wheeze, vomiting, anaphylaxis) In the one small trial read, 0 of 7 soybean-allergic people reacted to commercial soybean oils. Reactions to the pressed oil were not found in the sources read; soy foods and soy protein are different from the oil. | Not established | can be severe (anaphylaxis) Not described in the sources read. | Clinical trial 1 11 |
| Extra calories The oil is pure fat: about 120 kcal in a tablespoon (USDA). This is a fact about energy density, not a reported harm. | Not established | mild Reversible | Nutrient database 16 |
Liver
No liver injury from eating soybean oil as food was found in the sources read. A liver-safety source such as LiverTox was not searched for this oil. A mouse study found fatty livers on a very high-fat diet with soybean oil; that is animal evidence only. 3
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Soybean & Vegetable Oil supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warfarin (a blood thinner) prescription | Vitamin K helps the liver make clotting factors and can work against warfarin. Soybean oil is a source of vitamin K (USDA). | MedlinePlus advises steady day-to-day vitamin K intake for people on warfarin. No study of soybean oil and warfarin was read, and the MedlinePlus page does not name soybean oil. | Authoritative guidance and nutrient database Low certainty 16 15 | Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you use a lot of soybean oil or change how much you use, and keep the amount steady. |
Who should check first 3
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Known soy allergy | Ask an allergist before using soybean oil, and read labels. Highly refined oils are exempt from the US allergen rule, but the source is named in the ingredient list. Avoid soy foods and soy protein as your allergist advises. For trouble breathing or swelling, call your local emergency number. | Authoritative guidance 11 10 1 |
| Taking warfarin | Keep your soybean oil use steady and tell your care team about big changes. | Authoritative guidance 15 16 |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children | No official advice restricting culinary soybean oil in these groups was found in the sources read. This is not a finding of safety. Ask your midwife, doctor or dietitian about your own diet. | Gap |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity from soybean oil as ordinary food was found in the sources read. The points to know are vitamin K and warfarin, soy allergy, trans fat in partially hydrogenated products and fumes from overheating.
Animal. A mouse study on a diet with 40% of calories from soybean plus coconut oil found more weight gain, diabetes signs and fatty liver than mainly coconut oil. This is animal evidence and does not show the same in people.
High dose or long term signals. No signal in people was found in the sources read. The Cochrane omega-6 review gave no clear harm for deaths or heart events, with a possible small CRP rise only at very large increases in linoleic acid (Su et al.).
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Quality and contamination (pesticide residues, solvent residues, rancidity, genetic modification, adulteration) were not researched for this page. What a bottle labelled 'vegetable oil' contains was not found in the sources read.
Partially hydrogenated oils. FDA determined in 2015 that partially hydrogenated oils are not generally recognized as safe. USDA lists 0.533 g of trans fat per 100 g for soybean oil. 12 16
Deep-frying emissions. In a simulated kitchen, soybean oil gave off the highest level of gaseous aldehydes of the three oils tested, including acrolein. 2
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US FDA (United States) | Food allergen labeling: highly refined oils from major allergens are exempt from the allergen labeling rule, but the source (such as soybean oil) must be part of the oil's common or usual name in the ingredient list. Oils that are not highly refined must declare the source under the allergen rule. source | 2025-01 |
| US FDA (United States) | Food Allergies: soybeans are one of nine major food allergens. source | 2026-03-11 |
| US FDA (United States) | Final determination (2015) that partially hydrogenated oils are not Generally Recognized as Safe; they are the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat. source | 2024-10-01 |
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (United States) | Vitamin K in diet: people taking warfarin should keep their intake of vitamin K-containing foods the same each day and ask their provider. Soybean oil is not named in the page text read. source | 2025-01-21 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat, widespread hives, repeated vomiting, dizziness or collapse after eating a soy food or product containing soy (possible anaphylaxis): use epinephrine if prescribed, then call 911 or your local emergency number
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, black stools, or blood in urine or vomit while taking warfarin: seek urgent medical help (this is general warfarin advice, not a finding about soybean oil)
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is soybean oil?
What does 'vegetable oil' mean on a label?
It is a label name. We did not find in the sources read what plants such a bottle can contain, so check the ingredient list. US rules put the source of an oil, such as soybean oil, in its name.
Is soybean oil bad for you?
No human trial read showed harm from ordinary use. Pooled trials found no significant change in blood inflammation markers with more linoleic acid, and omega-6 fats made little or no difference to deaths or heart events. The harm claims come from mouse and lab studies, which do not show the same in people.
Is soybean oil good for the heart?
Does soybean oil cause inflammation?
A pooled analysis of 30 trials (1,377 adults) found no significant change in blood inflammation markers with more linoleic acid, the main fat in soybean oil. A subgroup analysis suggested a very large increase might raise C-reactive protein. This is a blood marker, not a disease.
Does soybean oil affect warfarin?
Can people with a soy allergy use soybean oil?
Does soybean oil have omega-3?
Yes, as ALA: about 6.8 g per 100 g, or about 0.92 g in a tablespoon, by USDA data. ALA is a plant omega-3, not the same as the omega-3 fats in fish.
Does soybean oil contain trans fat?
Does soybean oil make you gain weight or raise blood sugar?
Is it safe to fry with soybean oil?
In a simulated kitchen, deep-frying with soybean oil gave off the most gaseous aldehydes of three oils tested. That measured the air, not anyone's health. No human study of heated soybean oil was read.
Is soybean oil safe in pregnancy or for children?
No official advice restricting soybean oil as a food in pregnancy, breastfeeding or childhood was found in the sources read. That is not a finding of safety. Ask your midwife, doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing soybean and vegetable oil summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central data, read the FDA allergen Q&A guidance, FDA allergen and trans fat pages and MedlinePlus pages, checked the plant name against GBIF, and re-checked nine PubMed records by summary and abstract. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps. Little oil-specific research exists, so this page is shorter than most.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Two Cochrane reviews were funded by the World Health Organization; funding is not stated in the other abstracts read.
Sources 16
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Bush RK, Taylor SL, Nordlee JA, Busse WW. Soybean oil is not allergenic to soybean-sensitive individuals.. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1985. PMID 3894482. DOI 10.1016/0091-6749(85)90709-2. (abstract)
- Chiang KM, Xiu L, Peng CY, Lung SC, Chen YC, Pan WH. Particulate matters, aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced from deep-frying emissions: comparisons of three cooking oils with distinct fatty acid profiles.. NPJ Sci Food. 2022. PMID 35660737. DOI 10.1038/s41538-022-00143-5. (abstract)
- Deol P, Evans JR, Dhahbi J, Chellappa K, et al.. Soybean Oil Is More Obesogenic and Diabetogenic than Coconut Oil and Fructose in Mouse: Potential Role for the Liver.. PLoS One. 2015. PMID 26200659. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0132672. (abstract)
- Hamilton JS, Klett EL. Linoleic acid and the regulation of glucose homeostasis: A review of the evidence.. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2021. PMID 34763302. DOI 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102366. (abstract)
- Hooper L, Al-Khudairy L, Abdelhamid AS, Rees K, et al.. Omega-6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018. PMID 30488422. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD011094.pub4. (abstract)
- Hooper L, Martin N, Jimoh OF, Kirk C, et al.. Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020. PMID 32428300. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD011737.pub2. (abstract)
- Mozaffarian D, Micha R, Wallace S. Effects on coronary heart disease of increasing polyunsaturated fat in place of saturated fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. PLoS Med. 2010. PMID 20351774. DOI 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000252. (abstract)
- Sacks FM, Lichtenstein AH, Wu JHY, Appel LJ, et al.. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association.. Circulation. 2017. PMID 28620111. DOI 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510. (abstract)
- Su H, Liu R, Chang M, Huang J, Wang X. Dietary linoleic acid intake and blood inflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Food Funct. 2017. PMID 28752873. DOI 10.1039/c7fo00433h. (abstract)
- . FDA: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen Labeling Requirements (Edition 5, January 2025), question D.9 on oils. . . (full-text)
- . FDA: Food Allergies (page current as of 03/11/2026). . . (full-text)
- . FDA: Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Removing Trans Fat) (content current as of 10/01/2024). . . (full-text)
- . GBIF Backbone: Glycine max (L.) Merr. (usageKey 5359660). . . (full-text)
- . MedlinePlus: Vitamin E in diet (review date 1/21/2025). . . (full-text)
- . MedlinePlus: Vitamin K in diet (review date 1/21/2025). . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Oil, soybean, salad or cooking (FDC 171411, SR Legacy, April 2018). . . (full-text)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Cold-pressed or refined, to match how you cook
- A harvest or best-by date and a dark glass or tin container
- The oil's origin and any testing statement
- Smoke point for the way you cook
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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