06/19/2015

Not All Cooking Oils Are Created Equal

15:57 minutes

Ever wondered which cooking oil is healthiest? There’s canola oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil, even hazelnut, avocado, and apricot kernel oil. But each oil has a unique composition of fats and is manufactured in different ways. Some cooking enthusiasts will say that the healthiest oil is the one with the most omega-3s. Others warn against too much chemical processing, and opt for “virgin” oils. Tom Brenna, a professor of human nutrition at Cornell University, helps us get to the fat of the matter.

Segment Guests

Tom Brenna

Tom Brenna is a professor of human nutrition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Meet the Producers and Host

About Christopher Intagliata

Christopher Intagliata was Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.

About Elah Feder

Elah Feder is the former senior producer for podcasts at Science Friday. She produces the Science Diction podcast, and co-hosted and produced the Undiscovered podcast.