Is the cooking oil in your kitchen really safe? A health expert has warned against using certain common oils that may be harming your health without you even realising it. In a viral Instagram video, health educator Prashant Desai from Stanford School of Medicine breaks down five popular oils he no longer allows in his home.
Desai captioned his video, “5 Oils You Thought Were Safe… Until You Watch This.” The video has triggered widespread concern and conversation about the hidden dangers in everyday cooking habits.
Cooking Oil: What Makes It Unsafe?
Before listing the oils, Desai explains the three main criteria he considers when judging cooking oils:
1. Source of the oil – Where the raw material comes from
2. Refinement level – How heavily the oil has been processed
3. Price – Cheaper oils tend to be lower in quality
Using these standards, he identifies five oils that may be doing more harm than good.
1. Refined Palm Oil
This oil is widely used due to its low cost. However, Desai warns that it is “pro-inflammatory,” meaning it can trigger inflammation in the body if consumed regularly. Chronic inflammation is linked to various diseases.
2. Refined Blended Oils
These are marketed as heart-healthy options, but Desai disagrees. “Blending several oils from different raw materials is just a marketing trick,” he explains. According to him, these mixtures are not ideal for health and may actually be more harmful than helpful.
3. Refined Soybean Oil
This oil is heavily processed and often comes from genetically modified soybeans. The expert claims it’s one of the unhealthiest oils in the market and urges people to completely eliminate it from their kitchens.
4. Refined Sunflower Oil
Although commonly used in Indian households, this oil has extremely high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. While omega-6 is essential in moderation, excessive intake can lead to inflammation and other long-term health issues.
5. Vanaspati Ghee (Hydrogenated Ghee)
Desai calls this product “not real ghee” and warns that it contains harmful trans fats. “This is the worst oil to bring home,” he says, adding that trans fats are notorious for damaging heart health.
What You Can Do
While many restaurants and processed foods still use these oils, Desai encourages people to take control of what they use at home. He suggests switching to healthier alternatives and staying away from highly refined and blended options.
His video ends with the message, “You can’t change what’s used outside, but you can control what you cook with inside your own kitchen.”
