Is olive oil healthier than butter?
You often hear people recommend (olive) oil because it is considered healthier. Generally, olive oil is thought to be healthier than butter due to its content of unsaturated fats. But is olive oil really healthier than butter? Let’s find out!
Is butter healthy?
Butter is made from milk fat and mainly contains saturated fats. Saturated fats are fats that are solid at room temperature and, in large amounts, can contribute to increased levels of LDL cholesterol, which may raise the risk of heart disease and other health problems. Therefore, the general consensus is that saturated fats are not good for health. Butter also contains small amounts of unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. So, is butter healthy? Not really!
Is olive oil healthy?
Olive oil, on the other hand, is made from pressed olives and mainly contains unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are better for health than saturated fats. Olive oil contains large amounts of monounsaturated fats, which can improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Olive oil also contains small amounts of polyunsaturated fats, which are essential for a healthy diet.
In addition, extra virgin olive oil contains polyphenols, antioxidants, and vitamins. The combination of these healthy nutrients and unsaturated fats has led to the consensus that extra virgin olive oil is healthy.
Is olive oil healthier than butter?
One study compared the effects of butter and olive oil on heart health. The study found that consuming olive oil instead of butter may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Another study concluded that olive oil can help regulate blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. So yes, olive oil is healthier than butter.
It is important to note that although olive oil is healthier than butter, it is still a source of calories and fat and should be consumed in moderation. One tablespoon of olive oil contains about 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, of which 2.8 grams are saturated fat, 9.8 grams are monounsaturated fat, and 1.4 grams are polyunsaturated fat. Butter contains about 100 calories and 11 grams of fat per tablespoon, of which 7.3 grams are saturated fat. In short, olive oil is healthier than butter due to its higher content of unsaturated fats, vitamins, antioxidants, polyphenols, and potential benefits for heart health! In other words, because olive oil is healthy. So go ahead and buy that 5-liter olive oil can and start cooking. Besides olive oil in cans, we also offer olive oil in bottles 🙂
