One of the most recurring debates in nutrition is whether butter is better than margarine. This is an issue that even professionals seem to disagree on.
Perhaps due to a lack of updates on changes in margarine production and evidence on the health effects of butter.
This article compares both products and highlights what is known today about the effect of consuming margarine or butter on our bodies.
What is butter?
Butter is a food that is made from the fat in milk.
It is mainly used as a fat for frying, as a spread, or as a component of various foods such as sauces, cookies, or sweet products.
Because it comes from milk, butter is mainly made up of saturated fat.
What is margarine?
Margarine is a processed food made from vegetable oils. It has a taste and appearance similar to butter. However, its fat content is different.
Margarine is made through a process called hydrogenation. This brings the margarine to a solid-state and a creamy texture.
For decades, hydrogenation increased not only the saturated fat content but also added trans fat—a type of fat that is very harmful to health.
A more recent process called interesterification achieves similar results without forming trans fats.
Therefore modern margarine is made up of a mixture of fats – saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated.
Why so much confusion?
When consuming high levels of saturated fat was associated with an increased risk of heart disease, butter fell into the unhealthy category.
So some nutritionists and doctors recommended consuming margarine.
Many people accepted the disappearance of butter in stride, dismissing the loss of its tasty flavor but accepting that its effect on the heart could be too high a price.
The problem: The old-fashioned margarine had high levels of trans fat that did a double whammy for heart disease. Many people felt betrayed or cheated.
There was never good evidence that using margarine instead of butter reduced the chances of having a heart attack or developing heart disease.
Making the switch was a well-intentioned assumption, given that margarine had less saturated fat than butter, but it overlooked the dangers of trans fats.
Margarine vs. Butter – Which is Healthier?
Today, the dilemma between butter versus margarine has been simplified.
From a heart disease standpoint, butter remains on the list of foods to use in moderation, primarily because it is high in saturated fat.
Margarine, however, depends on its manufacturing process.
Some of the newer margarine is low in saturated fat, high in unsaturated fat, and free of trans fat. Some producers even add healthy fats like Omega-3.
This margarine is best if you don’t use them too much (they are still high in calories).
In addition, margarine has another advantage – it is suitable for vegans.
If you prefer margarine over butter, try selecting varieties without trans fat. Avoid it if it says “hydrogenated” anywhere on the packaging or ingredient list.
Remember that when it comes to fatty foods, the goal should always be to limit your saturated fat intake and avoid trans fat altogether.
If you have an intolerance problem (gluten, lactose, etc.), make sure you buy suitable margarine. If you have hypertension, choose unsalted margarine options.
Healthier alternatives to margarine and butter
The healthiest alternatives to butter or margarine are raw vegetable oils.
Olive, canola, coconut oil, and other products that contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are better for your health.
These fats are healthier and are associated with better triglycerides, higher levels of good cholesterol, and lower harmful cholesterol levels.
The next time you decide to snack or make a sauce at home, consider making it based on olive oil rather than topping it in butter.
ABSTRACT
Butter and margarine look similar and are used for the same purpose in cooking.
However, their nutritional profiles differ – butter is high in saturated fat, margarine is high in unsaturated fat, and depending on how it is made, it may have trans fat.
The health effects of saturated fat are highly controversial, although most dietary recommendations suggest limiting it to 10% of total calories in the diet. (4)
Regarding trans fats, which can be found in some margarine, it is sure that they increase the risk of chronic heart disease.
If you prefer margarine over butter, choose non-trans fat brands. These could be considered even healthier than butter.
Whatever you choose, consume these products in moderation. Or better yet, use healthy oils, like olive oil.
