What happens to the body if you eat butter on a regular basis

In one way or another, we all use oil: we dress salads with it, spread it on bread, cook baked goods, fry on it, add it to porridge. And some types of oil are also used in cosmetics. There are many useful vegetable oils: olive and sesame oils reduce cholesterol, coconut oil strengthens the immune system and speeds up metabolism, flaxseed oil is rich in Omega-3 and increases stamina. But we decided to pay attention to butter, familiar since childhood, which in dietary circles is stigmatized as harmful to the figure and health. Let’s find out if it is really so, together with nutritionist, nutritionist Anna Berseneva.

How caloric is butter?

One of the main myths – about the caloric content of butter – is easy to debunk, simply by comparing it with vegetable products. Coconut, olive, sunflower and other oils on average contain 850-900 kcal per 100 grams, while butter – 610-750 kcal depending on the fat content.

For a long time it was believed that this product should be completely excluded from the diet, because it contributes to obesity and contains “bad cholesterol”, which clogs blood vessels and leads to diseases of the cardiovascular system. It really doesn’t.

Anna: Butter can be consumed and in many cases it is even necessary. I especially recommend it for children, because for their development, the vitamins contained in butter, especially vitamin K, are essential. For pregnant women, those who are planning to conceive, or if there are such problems as amenorrhea (long absence of menstrual cycle), I also recommend butter. How to use it? It is better not to heat, that is, frying on it is not useful. For this there are analogs-substitutes: for example, coconut oil. On it, heat treatment takes place without any negative consequences. Or, if we are talking about butter, there is such an option as ghee, on which you can fry or use it for other thermal processing.

In addition, saturated fats are also found in some types of vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. Meanwhile, WHO advises to eat them, but the share should be no more than 7% of the daily calorie. That is, an adult should eat no more than 20-25 grams of oil per day.

Improved digestion

“Bad” cholesterol is useful in itself. It is a component of cell membranes, protects nerve fibers, is involved in digestion. In addition, butter contains glycosfingolipids, which protect the intestines from infections. Finally, vitamin A acts as a healer, reduces inflammation, and therefore helps with GI problems.

Your mood, CNS and brain function will improve

Vitamin D has a whole range of benefits, including improved mood, memory, concentration, CNS and sleep. Omega-6 acid stimulates brain function, and the tryptophan found in milk fat promotes serotonin production. Milk fat is also involved in the renewal of brain cells, increases attention, which is why butter is especially useful for schoolchildren and those who are engaged in mental labor.

You’ll have energy

Butter is a great source of energy, especially for those living in countries with harsh climates like Russia. It also helps to keep you warm.

There will be less chance of fungal infections

Butter contains lauric acid, which has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. If you consume the oil regularly, you will reduce the chances of contracting such infections or speed up recovery from existing diseases.

Obesity

Butter contains 67-82.5% fat depending on its type, and clarified butter has even more fat. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, do not exercise, and at the same time lay on such heavy food – weight problems are not far off.

High cholesterol

No matter how much we say that cholesterol in butter is useful, but we are talking only about moderate use. If you already have an elevated level of this indicator in the blood, then you should give up butter.

Deterioration of the state of the gastrointestinal tract

With exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases, butter should be excluded from the diet. And in a healthy person, excessive use of this product can cause a whole range of unpleasant consequences: from nausea and diarrhea to exacerbation of existing diseases.

Despite the negative effects of excessive use of butter, our expert does not recommend replacing the natural product with artificial alternatives. And there is a good reason for this.

Anna: I would like to say separately about alternatives. That is, all the substitutes for trans fats, margarines, milk fat substitutes, some light versions with a huge list of ingredients and flavor enhancers from a small chemical laboratory – it’s all very bad. Especially for children, pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy. Because such products are the true fruit of the chemical industry. Accordingly, butter in moderate, healthy variants of consumption (without heat treatment, 10-30 grams per day depending on nutrition and situation) is much better. And it will really be for the benefit and health, unlike various artificial substitutes.