- Scientists at UCR study soybean oil and weight.
- Soybean oil is common in many processed foods.
- Many mice on a high-fat soybean diet gain weight.
- Other engineered mice do not gain weight.
- These mice make a different liver protein HNF4α.
- Soybean oil contains linoleic acid, a common fat.
- The body converts linoleic acid into oxylipins.
- Oxylipins link to inflammation and fat in the liver.
- Use of soybean oil rose five-fold from 2% to nearly 10%.
- Researchers also saw higher cholesterol in mice.
Difficult words
- soybean oil — vegetable oil common in many foods
- processed foods — products made in factories for eating
- engineered — changed by scientists to have new traits
- liver — an organ in the body that makes proteinsliver protein
- linoleic acid — a common fat found in many vegetable oils
- oxylipins — molecules made from fats that affect the body
- inflammation — the body's response that causes redness and swelling
- cholesterol — a substance in blood linked to heart health
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you eat foods with soybean oil?
- Do you eat processed foods?
- Do you check your weight?
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