What Are Refined Oils?

Refined oils are oils that undergo extensive processing, which strips them of their natural nutrients and introduces harmful additives.  

REFINED OILS BROKEN DOWN

1. Nutrient Stripping: The refining process removes essential nutrients from oils, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. What you are left with is a calorie-dense, nutrient-poor product that offers little to no nutritional value.

2. Unhealthy Fats: Refined oils often contain unhealthy trans fats and a high proportion of omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation in the body. 

3. Chemical Additives: To improve shelf life and appearance, many refined oils are treated with chemicals and preservatives. These additives can have adverse effects on your health when consumed over time.

4. Oxidation: The refining process exposes oils to high temperatures, leading to oxidation, which create harmful free radicals in the oil. Consuming oxidized oils may contribute to oxidative stress and cell damage in the body.

What are vegetable seed oils? 

Vegetable seed oils are typically made from soybeans, corn, canola, or sunflower seeds.

These oils not only are refined but they are typically derived from genetically modified (GMO) crops that have been planted as a monocrop (when you monocrop you limit the diversity of crops, in turn the farmer uses more pesticides/herbicides in the growing process which then depletes the soil from the essential nutrients (minerals/vitamins).

See the most common seed oils below.

Grapeseed Oil

Extracted from the seeds of grapes; grapeseed oil is often used in salad dressings and for sautéing due to its mild taste and high smoke point.

Sunflower Oil

Extracted from the seeds of sunflower, this oil is widely used for cooking and frying due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.

Soybean Oil

Derived from soybean seeds, soybean oil is versatile and used in a wide range of food products, including premade salad dressings, margarine, and frying.

Canola Oil

Made from the seeds of the canola plant, canola oil has a mild flavor and is often used in cooking, baking, and salad dressings.

Corn Oil

Produced from corn seeds, corn oil is used in frying, baking, and as a general cooking oil.

Side Note: While avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, e&c. are always my go to choice for oils they too go through a refinement process. They typically do not have added chemicals, fats and still contain some nutritional value.

Refined Olive Oil

Olive oil can be refined to remove impurities and reduce acidity, resulting in a milder flavor.

Refined Coconut Oil

Refined coconut oil has a higher smoke point than unrefined (virgin) coconut oil and a more neutral flavor.

WHAT REFINED OILS DO TO THE BODY

So, what exactly do these refined oils do to our bodies once they sneak into our diets? 

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Inflammation Overload

Ok here it is- inflammation is the enemy triggered by the consumption of refined oils!

These oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids but lacking in omega-3s, throwing our delicate balance out of whack. The result? Chronic inflammation, the root cause of numerous health issues like heart disease, arthritis, and even cancer.

Heart Havoc

Our hearts deserve better than the havoc wreaked by refined oils. They are notorious for increasing LDL cholesterol levels (the bad kind) while reducing HDL cholesterol (the good kind). This deadly combo paves the way for a one-way ticket to heart disease.

Stuck Weight 

Say hello to your new frenemy in the battle of stubborn stomach fat. Refined oils not only pack a calorie punch but also disrupt our metabolism and promote fat storage, making it harder to shed those stubborn pounds.

Gut Imbalance

Our gut is like a delicate ecosystem, and refined oils can wreak havoc on our gut microbiota, leading to digestive issues and inflammation.