Big Idea: Why Are Seed Oils So Pervasive and The Case For and Against Them

Dhru Purohit Show

This episode is brought to you by Momentous, Ollie, and Manukora Honey.

Vegetable oils are a hot topic in the wellness world. Some consider them a heart-healthy alternative to saturated fats, while others argue they may be far more harmful to our overall health than once believed. But where did they come from, and how did they become so widely used?

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Jeff Nobbs to discuss the history of seed oils and how they’ve become ubiquitous in restaurants and ultra-processed foods. He also describes the research limitations and selective reporting that have heavily influenced their recommendation and use.

Jeff Nobbs is the cofounder and CEO of Zero Acre Farms, a company replacing harmful vegetable oils with healthier, more sustainable options made through fermentation. With over 15 years of experience in health and nutrition, Jeff has launched several start-ups focused on better ingredients and food access, including the restaurant chain Kitava and the nonprofit HelpKitchen. He’s also served as COO of Perfect Keto and GM at Ebates (now Rakuten).

In this episode, Dhru and Jeff dive into:

• The history of seed oils and how they became so pervasive (04:01)

• Why trans fats were banned from commercial production (17:26)

• Observational research and the case for seed oils (21:40)

• Randomized controlled trials and the case against seed oils (28:21)

• Biomarkers in people who consume seed oils and observational data on trans fats (33:04)

• The Minnesota Coronary Experiment (40:32)

• McDonald’s transition to seed oils (43:15)

• Final thoughts (44:36)

Also mentioned:

• Full episode with Jeff Nobbs

This episode is brought to you by Momentous, Ollie, and Manukora Honey.

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