I heard butter is healthier than margarine...is it true?

Question

somebody told me that butter was more healthier because your body doesnt know how to store the margarine.

Answer 1

Yes, butter is from a natrual source, margarine is radioactive treated oil!

Answer 2

Butter is healthier than margarine because the fats occurring in the butter are naturally occurring... which means while it is high in saturated fat, it contains other types of fat. Butter is also not "pure" fat. It contains a high percentage of milk-fat to be sure, but it does contain other things (some of the sugars and proteins found in milk). Believe it or not, butter's usually less than half fat. The rest of it is protein and sugar solids, water, and usually a bit of salt.

Margarine, on the other hand, is made by taking vegetable oil and hydrogenating it. And yeah, that's exactly what it sounds like. They basically pass a bunch of hydrogen through the oil, and as they do, it causes the oil to "load up" on hydrogen molecules, which turns the oil from a liquid to a solid at room temperature.

This process pretty much negates any health value the oil may have had over butter and renders it worse for your health because it turns the oils into nothing but saturated trans-fats (which are the single unhealthiest fat you can consume).

So, the end result is that yes, most margarine is much worse for you than butter is, if for no other reason than margarine is nothing but artificially saturated fats, but butter is not only natural fats, but other non-fatty substances as well.

While some soft margarines are supposed to have a better fat profile than butter, they almost never have the flavor people are looking for in cooking. Let me recommend what most chefs do when they're looking for all the flavor and a lower saturated fat content... though admittedly, they do it first for the flavor, which is great.

If you're cooking a savory dish (sauteing vegetables, searing meat, etc) use half butter, and half olive oil instead of straight butter-- or mostly olive oil with a little butter just to get that hint of buttery flavor in your dishes.


The addition of olive oil not only raises the smoke point so you can use it in more dishes, it gives you a better fat profile than butter (or margarine, for that matter), can.

Answer 3

Butter - Saturated Fats and Cholesterol

Butter, as an animal fat, contains both saturated fats and cholesterol - the two dietary ingredients that give rise to our blood cholesterol. Saturated fats, mainly found in animal products, can raise LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), thus also raising total blood cholesterol as well. Cholesterol, on the other hand, has little effect on blood cholesterol in most people. But for some, even a little dietary cholesterol can cause a soar in blood cholesterol levels.

Margarine - Trans Fats (.....in the past)

When margarine was first introduced into the market place, it was loaded with trans fats. Hydrogenation "solidifies" liquid vegetable oil into a spread so it is easier to use. As a result of this hydrogenation process, trans fats are produced. Similar to saturated fats, trans fats also increase LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) and lower HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol).
In recent years, food manufacturers and the general public began to realize the negative health effects of trans fats. Another type of margarine is now widely available - non-hydrogenated margarine. This type of margarine contains no trans fat and is softer than the first-generation margarine stick. Instead of hydrogenating the liquid vegetable oil, manufacturers now add a tiny amount of modified palm and palm kernel oil to enhance spreadibility of margarine. By doing that, soft margarine can be trans fatty acid free.


BOTH saturated fats and trans fats can raise total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Therefore, try minimizing the intake of BOTH saturated fats and trans fats. It is clear that butter contains more saturated fats and trans fats when we add up the numbers. In addition, butter also contains cholesterol.

The Verdict?

Margarine. Choose non-hydrogenated soft margarine

Answer 4

Yes because butter is natural and margarine is made of just fake ingredients. If you leave margarine outside no even flies will come near it because it's not organic.
Not even flies want it! then why a human would?

Answer 5

Yes! Butter is natural. Margarine is a disgusting lab creation. Just use moderately. :D

Answer 6

First of all, it's extremely unwise and dangerous to the health for a juvenile to drink. It can and will affect the development of the organs and brain in adolescence, and ANY health benefit is cancelled out by the risks. Your friend and you would be better off to drink grape juice, V8, or other non-alcoholic beverage with fruit or vegetable juice content and low/no sugar. Even the benefits found in consuming red wine have only been found in ADULTS, and NONE of those benefits have indicated that beginning to drink is healthier than NOT drinking. Period. DRINKING ALCOHOL IS NOT A HEALTHY ACTIVITY. Don't be foolish enough to risk your life and health by drinking before you turn 21.

Answer 7

yes that 100% true. It is also just very bad for you.

(yes I cant believe its not butter is margarine)

Answer 8

I think so. Margarine is just colored lard after all. EW! And to think they used to call it a healthy alternative.

Answer 9

butter is more healthy cuz margarine has chemicals or something

Answer 10

I heard the same thing. From what I've heard, it was used for lubrication and other industrial uses. It's not made from "edible" ingredients.