Soya oil, cholesterol and heart disease risk
What it found
Soya oil lowered blood cholesterol when it replaced saturated fats, and it did not raise markers of inflammation or oxidation.
The evidence comes from clinical and population studies in people.
What they found
Studies in people
Cholesterol lowered
When saturated fats in the diet were replaced with soya oil, blood cholesterol levels went down.
Inflammation markers
Soya oil did not affect inflammatory biomarkers in clinical studies.
Oxidative stress
Soya oil did not increase oxidative stress in clinical studies.
Saturated fat studies
Some population studies found no link between saturated fats and heart disease, likely because they did not account for what replaced the saturated fats.
Other findings
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
Health agencies have consistently rejected the importance of the dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats, and instead stress getting enough of each type.
What the authors conclude
“several lines of evidence indicate that soybean oil can positively contribute to overall health and reduction of risk of coronary heart disease.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that several lines of evidence indicate that soybean oil can positively contribute to overall health and reduction of risk of coronary heart disease.
How it was done
Health agencies recommend replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats to lower heart disease risk, but some people question this advice. There is also debate about whether omega-6 fats, like those in soya oil, cause inflammation or oxidative stress.
The authors reviewed clinical and population studies on soya oil and its effects on cholesterol, inflammation and oxidation.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of other studies, so it cannot prove cause and effect on its own.
- The studies looked at markers like cholesterol and inflammation, not directly at heart attacks or deaths.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Pennsylvania State University, USA; Texas Tech University, USA
The paper
- Title
- Soybean oil lowers circulating cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease risk, and has no effect on markers of inflammation and oxidation
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Messina M, Shearer G, Petersen K (2021). Soybean oil lowers circulating cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease risk, and has no effect on markers of inflammation and oxidation. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). doi:10.1016/j.nut.2021.111343PubMed 34171740DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error