Notes from Overground

WHAT'S SO SCARY ABOUT SEED OIL?

Seed oils are extracted from canola, soybean, sunflower, and grapeseed. Americans have been using seed oils for cooking for decades and they are found in many of the foods we eat daily. Research suggests these oils, which are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, may potentially contribute to bodily inflammation when consumed in excessive amounts. Despite the inconclusive science, anti-seed oil sentiment has taken root online. The trend is driven by internet personalities, fringe wellness accounts, and rage-bait influencers claiming that seed oils cause infertility, hormonal collapse, and cognitive decline.

Anti-seed oil sentiment isn’t just a food trend but a lens into how influence works in the digital age. What began in niche Internet forums has become a viral health ideology and identity, one reinforced by memes, short-form videos, and carefully crafted contrarian personas. The anti-seed oil persona is meant to signal independence, distrust in institutions, and allegiance to a more “natural” way of life. The ascent of these figures shows the Internet’s ability to turn fringe voices into viral “authorities.”

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