By Neuroscience News
Soybean oil, the most widely produced and consumed edible oil in the U.S., could potentially impact neurological conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and depression.
Research using mice models revealed pronounced effects on the hypothalamus, a critical part of the brain that regulates body weight, temperature, stress response, reproduction, and growth.
The consumption of soybean oil was found to decrease the levels of oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone", and affect about 100 other genes related to brain function and energy metabolism.
The researchers emphasize that their findings are specific to soybean oil and do not necessarily apply to other soy products or vegetable oils.