“Butter has many potentially beneficial qualities, while margarine, being highly processed from poor quality, highly unstable vegetable oils, does not,” explains Sirota. One of the key things that is different between butter and margarine is the fatty acid content. Many people are divided on which is better and why, and there tends to be good and bad advice on both sides. Butter is a dairy product made by churning milk. Trans fat, like saturated fat, increases blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. However, there are more-healthy alternatives to butter. It was first created by French chemist Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès and was originally made using beef tallow and skimmed milk. But the healthiest option is not strictly called butter or margarine – it’s a “spread”. There’s a lot of confusion out there when it comes to things like butter — especially grass-fed butter — and cooking oils. To boost its health profile, the margarine industry has also taken to promoting the fact it's low in saturated fat, a thinly veiled jab at butter. Margarine or Butter: The Heart-Healthiest Spreads. It’s also budget-friendly and suitable for those with certain dietary restrictions. Yes, you read that right. So is margarine healthy? Is margarine more healthful than butter? There are many uses for both of these products. Although the two are used similarly in recipes, there are several different factors to consider when deciding between butter vs. margarine. Uses, Side Effects & Healthy Alternatives. Thus, margarine is a processed food product made from plant sources that were designed to replace butter. There’s nothing natural about it. In addition, trans fat lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels. While many praise it as a heart-healthy, budget-friendly form of fat, others claim that it can clog the arteries, increase inflammation and pile on the extra pounds. But not all margarines are created equal — some margarines contain trans fat. What’s the healthiest pick? ), Burdock Root Detoxes Blood, Lymph System and Skin, Chia Seeds Benefits: The Omega-3, Protein-Packed Superfood, 9 Proven Black Seed Oil Benefits that Boost Your Health, Top 15 Potassium-Rich Foods to Start Eating Today, What Is Allspice? It contains virtually no casein or lactose and is thus a safer choice for people with milk allergy or lactose intolerance. 1. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Autism spectrum disorder and digestive symptoms. And which margarine is the healthiest? Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains unsaturated "good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. It enables the vegetable oils to harden and solidify at room temperature. In general, the more solid the margarine, the more trans fat it contains. Compared to butter, margarine is much lower in these essential nutrients. Many (but not all) other "soft spreads" or "tub" buttery products have less total fat as well as less saturated fat and/or calories. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Butter, on the other hand, is primarily saturated fat. What’s the Best, Healthiest Butter Substitute? Both butter and margarine are commonly used as spreads for bread. “Butter has many potentially beneficial qualities, while margarine, being highly processed from poor quality, highly unstable vegetable oils, does not,” explains Sirota. Limit the amount you use to limit the calories. Healthier alternatives to butter or margarine include olive oil and other vegetable oil–based spreads, which contain beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fats. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are integral to brain function, heart health and fetal development. These types of fats help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or … These types of fats help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat. Choose a blend with the least amount of saturated fat and zero trans fats. Accessed June 27, 2018. "Margarine" is a product that has 80 percent fat, like butter. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. These vegetable oils are chemically altered through processes like hydrogenation or interesterification, which makes them more solid and spreadable, with a texture similar to butter. Despite the potential health benefits of margarine, there are several important downsides to consider as well. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. Margarine usually tops butter when it comes to heart health. The differences between butter and margarine. Margarine contains unsaturated fats and trans fat due to the processing. These compounds have been shown to reduce levels of bad LDL cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. But is margarine actually better for you than butter? Slide show: Heart-healthy eating after acute coronary syndrome, Is the keto diet for you? Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Stick margarine. We use butter for many different applications, like frying, baking or as a spread; although cooking and baking are best left for the healthiest cooking oil (s). Butter is high in saturated fats while margarine is rich in polyunsaturated fats. Related: What’s the Best, Healthiest Butter Substitute? Margarine is also a popular choice for those on a budget, as it’s typically much more cost-effective than butter or other types of cooking oils. Because it’s made from vegetable oils instead of milk, it can also be enjoyed by those limiting dairy for personal reasons or health issues. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. This content does not have an English version. 3. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) They taste test five popular margarine brands and give you the skinny on what reigns supreme when it comes to health and taste. Enlarged prostate: Does diet play a role? There are several key differences between margarine vs. butter, especially when it comes to their nutrient profile and the fatty acids that they contain. You could opt for a drizzle of olive oil, mashed avocado, hummus, or even low-fat cottage cheese. The healthiest blends have the least amount of saturated fat. Shea butter does more than help promote healthy skin. Many other re… Studies show that vitamin K2 could play a key role in bone strength, heart health and cancer prevention. As far as your heart's concerned, the overriding consideration in choosing a spread is to avoid saturated and trans fats by looking at the per 100g amounts. Another important consideration is the amount of omega-6 fatty acids that it contains. Becel ® margarine has 80 less saturated fat than butter and is a delicious and simple way to incorporate plant-based oils into your diet. It’s also used as a spread and can help add a bit of flavor to dishes. 10) Margarine: Margarine is a processed assortment of vegetable oils designed to taste and look like butter. Margarine contains unsaturated fats and trans fat due to the processing. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. What is margarine? 30 Gluten-Free Recipes Uses, Side Effects & Healthy Alternatives. Accessed June 27, 2018. When it comes to the debate of butter vs. margarine, there is a lot of controversy over which is healthier. Butter is high in saturated fats while margarine is rich in polyunsaturated fats. Light butter blended with oil – 50 calories and 2 grams of saturated fat in … Accessed June 27, 2018. Margarine is a type of condiment that is commonly used for cooking and baking. Meanwhile, margarine is a heavily processed ingredient made from vegetable oil that has been chemically altered in a lab. Originally developed as a healthier alternative to butter, margarine is made from highly processed, polyunsaturated fats. Regardless of which product you choose when deciding between margarine vs. butter, it’s important to select grass-fed varieties of butter or margarine that is free of hydrogenated fats whenever possible. For starters, it’s a heavily processed ingredient. While polyunsaturated fats are often considered the healthier option between the two, some types of margarine also contain trans fats, which have been associated with a long list of health problems. On today’s episode of The Perfect Bite, host Andrea Jenna is joined by registered dietician Samara Foisy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. This is why Flora is called a spread – it contains less fat than margarine. Therefore, while it is definitely a highly processed ingredient, it is not the same as plastic. Margarine or butter — which side are you on? And before you turn up your nose at butter substitutes because of their bad rap, consider this: your classic trans-fat-laden margarine brands are a thing of the past. Confused about which margarine to buy? This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains unsaturated "good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Oils to harden and solidify at room temperature for being healthiest butter or margarine to spread for starters it. Of 80 % or more ( similar to margarines, but even slight variations can vastly alter final! “ an overconsumption of saturated fat, like butter if you do decide to stick to butter those! Health downsides on both sides “ margarine is the amount you use to limit the calories food Nutrition... 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