Dr. Becky Maes - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Becky Maes

Is Cottonseed Oil Bad For You?


Grade

F


Short answer

Cottonseed oil is one of the worst edible oils you can use. It really is worth it to spend the extra couple bucks and get a better quality oil. As far as nutrition is concerned, cottonseed oil is little better than lard.

Grade

F


Long answer

Cottonseed oil is cheaply produced for mass production. Unfortunately, like many cheap things produced en masse, cottonseed oil is incredibly bad for your health. First, the nutritional information - fat. That's it. Cottonseed oil is 100% fat, with a good sized portion of its fat content coming from saturated fatty acids. While it does so at lower levels than lard, cottonseed oil can raise cholesterol levels quite a bit. 

Furthermore, people with allergies to cotton or hibiscus plants may suffer a negative reaction as a result of cottonseed oil. Due to the fact that cotton is not considered a food and thus is not regulated as heavily, farmers spray a wide array of pesticides on the cotton, making it one of the most heavily contaminated crops in the United States. Cottonseed oil may even contain DDT, a particular pesticide that has been linked to negative liver changes. 

Cottonseed oil has also been used as a substitute for olive oil, often being mixed with the real thing to increase volume at a lower cost. When looking for a cooking oil that will not take a toll on your health, steer clear of cottonseed oil.


Possible short-term side effects

  • increased cholesterol levels

Possible long-term side effects

  • weight gain
  • cardiovascular disease
  • various forms of cancer
  • unwanted liver changes

Ingredients to be aware of


Healthier alternatives

  • extra virgin olive oil



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Written by Jeff Volling | 01-08-2016

01-08-2016
Written by Jeff Volling
Suggest improvement or correction




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