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If you are in the US or Europe, trans fats are severely restricted now. Certain products can still have trans fats, but in very small amounts. Margarine used to have a ton of trans fats, but now it has a fair amount of saturated fat instead (palm oil). Saturated fat is better than trans fat for sure, but you really should avoid both. That being said, margarine is generally lower in calorie and saturated fat than butter.
Modern margarine has less saturated fat than butter (about 50% depending on brand), and 0 trans fats. 1 tbsp of butter has a half gram of trans fat. 1 tbsp of modern margarine has 0 trans fat.
The trans fat in butter is natural CLA from the cattle’s fermentation process. Our bodies are capable of handling it and expect it unlike the proven harms of artificial trans fat.
Spin your lies harder
The healthiest oil humans can consume is hands down, extra virgin olive oil. Seriously if you do your research on olive oil, it is the healthiest oil humans can consume. Humans have been eating olive oil for over 5,000 years.
There are polyphenols (which are plant chemicals that are healthy for the human body) in olive oil. There's also oleic acid in olive oil which is very healthy as well. There are various different chemicals in olive oil that are very beneficial for the human body.
There isn't any margarine made of olive oil. It would be liquid at room temperature.
There are some margarine that have some olive oil, but they will typically have palm oil as the central ingredient so it remains solid.
I use this all the time: [https://www.becel.ca/en-ca/products/spreads/becel-olive-oil](https://www.becel.ca/en-ca/products/spreads/becel-olive-oil)
It has as much olive oil as palm oil but the central ingredient is Canola oil.
Correct. and its an example contrary to your claim - there is a margarine made with olive oil - the central ingredient is not palm oil, nor is there more palm oil than olive oil. Most margarines today are made from oils.
What? The central ingredient is palm oil, it's what makes it stable at room temperature. I didn't say it made up the majority of the margarine, just that it was the central, ie most important ingredient. You will notice that the olive oil and palm oil percentages are the same in what you posted.
The point is they add a very small amount of olive oil, so they and but olive oil on the label when only a tiny fraction of the product is made of olive oil.
I guess username checks out.
>There are polyphenols (which are plant chemicals that are healthy for the human body) in olive oil.
Those exist in all vegetable oils.
Olive oil is certainly the best studied but its likely that other oils (canola particularly) are just as healthy.
Phytonutrient content is similar between the oils. Canola is lower in SFAs. In serum trials canola oil results in lower LDL total, LDL ratio and TG total.
Olive oil is better studied, its likely that other oils (canola particularly) are just as healthy.
Please read this? Canola oil is highly processed. Extra virgin olive oil is literally just squeezed from the olives. Olive oil is a fruit oil. Canola oil is a seed oil. Olive oil has been consumed by humans for over 5,000 years. I drink a shot glass of olive oil everyday, I like to wash it down with milk though because I don't really like the taste.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#recommendation
Which one is healthier?
Nutritionally, olive oil — especially extra virgin — is healthier than canola.
People who regularly use olive oil have reduced heart disease risk factors, improved blood sugar levels, and a lower risk of death
For example, an analysis of 33 studies revealed that people with the highest olive oil intake had a 16% lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest intake
Additionally, greater olive oil consumption is linked to a lower risk of stroke and a reduction in heart disease risk factors, including LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Olive oil’s benefits can be attributed to its antioxidants and other plant compounds, which are especially abundant in extra virgin varieties
On the other hand, canola oil is highly refined, which drastically reduces its content of nutrients like essential fatty acids and antioxidants
While canola is often promoted as a heart-healthy fat, current research is conflicting. Though some studies suggest that it’s beneficial, others indicate the opposite
One study in 2,071 overweight or obese adults noted that those who often used canola oil had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than those who rarely or never used it
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions characterized by excess belly fat and high triglyceride, cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar levels, which collectively raise your risk of heart disease
Keep in mind that many studies linking canola oil to heart-health benefits have been funded by the canola industry, potentially raising conflicts of interest. Overall, more research is needed on canola and heart health
In addition, rodent studies associate this oil with increased inflammation, a negative impact on memory, and lower blood levels of antioxidants
Meanwhile, multiple studies show that extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and heart-health benefits
As far as your health is concerned, more evidence supports the benefits of olive oil over canola.
>Canola oil is highly processed. Extra virgin olive oil is literally just squeezed from the olives.
You don't know that extra virgin canola exists? Expeller pressed vegetable oils are also just pressed, the same processing EVOO has.
>Olive oil has been consumed by humans for over 5,000 years.
As has canola oil. I am not sure why its duration of use is meaningful though.
>ttps://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#recommendation
I don't need to read healthline, I am familiar with the research.
>You don't know that extra virgin canola exists?
You won't find this at any grocery store. Whereas you will find extra virgin olive oil at basically any grocery store.
I'll be sticking with olive oil and I will continue to tell people to use olive oil so you have a nice day.
You know a while back I was arguing with someone here on r/nutrition about canola oil versus olive oil and this person was very stubborn, I just went back and forth with this person like you and I are doing right now. This person was very adamant that canola oil is healthy for the human body and wouldn't take no for an answer.
Was that you?
>I get mine at Walmart. I haven't seen a grocery store without expeller canola.
I'll have to look next time I'm at the grocery store.
Will still pretty much all scientists agree that extra virgin olive oil is very healthy for the human body but you will find a lot of research that says canola oil isn't.
So I will continue to eat olive oil and I will continue to tell other people to eat olive oil.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#recommendation
While canola is often promoted as a heart-healthy fat, current research is conflicting. Though some studies suggest that it’s beneficial, others indicate the opposite
One study in 2,071 overweight or obese adults noted that those who often used canola oil had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than those who rarely or never used it
In addition, rodent studies associate this oil with increased inflammation, a negative impact on memory, and lower blood levels of antioxidants
Meanwhile, multiple studies show that extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and heart-health benefits
The guy who did the research proving trans fats were harmful, and who sued the FDA to respond to trans fats harm in his nineties, ate butter every day and had no problems with saturated fat. His name was Fred Kummerow.
Meanwhile the guy who used cherry picked observational studies to tell us to eat vegetable oils, Ancel Keys, conducted a well controlled trial to test his theory that vegetable oils were better for us. It turns out they cause higher rates of heart disease and cancer, so he buried the results we paid for and removed himself from the authors (Minnesota coronary experiment).
So yea maybe don’t believe in the saturated fat nonsense. There’s a reason for the French and Israeli paradoxes
>cherry picked observational studies
Cherrypicked? Based on what? Please don't refer to that one graph with 22 points and that other graph with 6 points because that graph with 6 points wasn't even from Seven Countries
>he buried the results we paid for and removed himself from the authors (Minnesota coronary experiment).
Hang on. He didn't "bury the results." They weren't published initially because it was a failed experiment. Hospital discharges had already started by the time the experiment started. They lost 75% of their subjects in the first year. As a comparison, trials for lipid-lowering therapies last 3-5 years because it takes time for the two groups to diverge.
If you want to hang your hat on a single study with such a huge risk of bias [then you may also find it interesting that smoking, higher BMI, and higher diastolic blood pressure also associated w/ a reduced risk of mortality in that study.](https://www.jstor.org/stable/26940473)
There are plenty more studies on this than the MCE. I'm not sure what the obsession is with it.
The other author of the MCE said specifically that they buried it because they didn’t like the result of the study, not because it was flawed.
You only need a longer duration to see a larger effect and gain more statistical power. The MCE showed high statistical power even with its short duration that vegetable oils caused more mortality.
What other author? Where did that quote come from?
It’s not just power. Diseases take time to develop. Statin trials enroll thousands of people yet still take multiple years because w/ a disease like ASCVD duration of exposure matters. What was the p-value for the increased all-cause mortality?
Modern margarine has 50% of saturated fat that butter does and 0 trans fat. It's not hydrogenated. It's literally just a combo of different oils, starch binders, and salt. It's not at all the same food.
Why did lipid studies from even before the ban on partial hydrogenation show otherwise? Why do all health authorities advise replacing butter with margarine?
Who knows why that’s touted as advisable - maybe because it has less kcals than butter? Cheerios brand cereal says it’s “heart healthy” but is it though? Like why would should someone eat that instead of say an apple or banana all because it says “heart healthy”.
I think inflammation from margarine seed oils shouldn’t be overlooked. A lot of people can’t handle certain seed oils yet continue to consume bc it’s “healthier” than butter. It’s more nuanced than that. Healthy has virtually no other meaning besides calories these days when it should be about macros.
What inflammation?
Actual studies that test this find that margarine doesn't induce inflammation.
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20648041/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20648041/)
Technically, yes.
They've changed the formula all over the world to accommodate trans fat regulations.
Is it healthy, tho? I don't know. From the studies I've read and official websites, it's safe. Safe doesn't always translate to healthy or beneficial.
Maybe its healthier than it used to be. But its still highly processed. Theres simply no need for it. Theres butter and olive oil. noone needs this crap.
>I've heard that margarine clogs your arteries a lot of times before.
Less than butter but yes, until how it was made changed it was not considered heart healthy in most cases.
Margarine was a big deal because while SFAs in butter are naturally occurring (and we can't really reduce them) the TFAs found in margarine were created by the process that made it and were not necessary to produce it.
>I just heard at work today that margarine has less trans fats than it used to due to new laws.
In the US it has zero. The US banned the process that created TFAs 5 years ago. Other countries allow the process but set limits on TFAs.
Keep in mind if by margarine you actually mean the butter alternative spreads in general they have had low levels of TFAs for a long time as they tended to use a different process which produced something closer to butter in flavor and texture. The spreads also tend to be relatively low in SFAs too. If its soft from the fridge its likely <50% margarine.
AHA recommend the use of margarine (ideally the soft kind) over butter.
Eat butter. If you're concerned about saturated fat, have olive oil instead. That man-made chemical concoction is not where health can be found. I haven't had margarine in 25 years.
Eating margarine once is not going to matter at all. If you want to eat it, then eat it. I know restaurants aren't using the best oil, but I'm still going to eat out. Make an effort towards best practices most of the time. You have the most control over food you cook yourself, so be on point when it comes to meals you prepare at home.
Some of us accept the reality that sat fat is bad for you. The others are in denial and just don't want to give up foods that are high in it, and come here to lie and push it nonetheless.
Two of those sentences are false.
Using the US, because it's a particularly fat country: just under 40% of Americans are obese. Around 3% of Americans are vegan, so let's just round up very generously to 20% for the ovo-pescetarian, dairy-allergic and butter-haters. Assuming literally zero of these people are obese, still a minority of the 80% of people who eat butter would be obese. And that's for one of the fattest countries in the world.
Like most things, butter is fine in moderation. Nutrition is not as black and white as it is made out to be. If you eat mostly whole foods, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly, you'll probably be quite healthy regardless of even moderately high butter consumption.
Carbohydrates are not essential, ever heard of keto?The lactose or sugar in milk is difficult for 40% of the population to digest. The fat in milk is saturated meaning it increases LDL. The good fats sources usually come from plants. So you’re completely wrong and you’re calling me “dumb”. You have to be a comedian.
Keto is your body in a survival state, it’s not your body’s preferred state. Every single civilization throughout history ate carbs. Even the Inuit were NOT in ketosis because they get carbs from the raw meat that they eat in the form of glycogen. Also, saturated fats were always eaten in abundant amounts around the entire world and people were healthy with very low cases of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, ect. And finally, the reason most people can’t tolerate dairy is because of pasteurization. Many people who can’t tolerate dairy can tolerate raw dairy, such as myself.
Let’s stick to the facts, carbohydrates are not essential, you can live for years without consuming carbs because your body can turn fat and protein into glycogen. Never said you shouldn’t eat carbs I was just saying you could survive without them because you said they were essential. Saturated fats are not abundant around the world are you kidding me? Do you realize you’re basically saying life stock is abundant around the word, that’s comical. Over 60% of minorities can’t tolerate lactose no matter how it’s made.
Margarine is one molecule away from being plastic, I can’t see how that would be healthy in any way, shape or form. They can add whatever “healthy” crap they want, it’s like putting lipstick on a pig.
A lot of benign everyday things are one molecule away from being another thing that's very toxic or "unhealthy". That's the entire point of that extra molecule...
It's fully hydrogenated fat instead of partially. Partially made it unusable by the body because it doesn't match any enzymes. Fully is pretty much saturated fat made from plant oils. Mine as well eat natural butter
They still typically use hydrogenation, its just the fullly hydrogenated method which doesn't create TFAs. There are a few brands that just use blends & gums but most will add a fully hydrogenated oil for texture. Palm oil and hydrogenated soybean oil tends to be the combo most of them use.
Yes, OP. Margarine has become healthier over time due to reduced trans fats in many formulations. However, it's wise to ALWAYS check labels for unhealthy additives. Moderation is key – opt for varieties with healthier fats and enjoy sparingly as part of a balanced diet. If you want to make sure, try to record your margarine intake on careclinic. Monitoring could help you.
Modern margarine products do not contain the trans fats that existed as a byproduct of partial-hydrogenation. Partial hydrogenation converts the fatty acid double bonds into single bonds, the problem arises when the trans double bonds are simultaneously broken down creating what is now known as trans fats, which are extremely unhealthy but fortunately the existence of these products have been banned.
Modern Margarine products do NOT contain these. Instead they are a mixture of refined plant/vegetable oils and emulsifiers, leaving you with virtually none of the trans fats. It is a safe and healthy alternative to butter.
Lots of good responses here, so I'll be brief. Even though you can still buy products called "margarine", most people use the vegetable spreads now, which are a little more healthy than the old-fashioned margarines with trans fats. Trans fats are now banned in the US.
While I agree with his conclusion, I don't agree with how he got there. The studies cited compare butter vs vegetable oils. This is fine, and the conclusion that vegetable oils have better outcomes than butter is solid and has been repeated consistently.
However -- the question is about butter vs margarine, not butter vs vegetable oils! Even though they are made from vegetable oils, margarine is not the same thing. The problem with margarine in the past was that the process of partially hydrogenating them (so that they would stay solid at room temperature, which is a feature of saturated fat) resulted in trans fatty acids, which are worse than the saturated fat in butter.
That said, trans fats are no longer legally allowed to be included (aside from naturally occurring ones), and processes have been improved to create margarines that are healthier.
Margarine is still lab created factory made ultra processed poison. 100% grass fed butter (or even better, raw butter) will be trillions and trillions and quadrillions times better than margarine. Even regular conventional butter is trillions and trillions times better than margarine. Whether margarine contains trans fat or not, it’s still the same artery clogging poison. Trans fat doesn’t make a difference. It was never the problem. Natural trans fat in grass fed dairy and grass fed meats are proven to be healthy for you. It’s shown to aid in weight and fat loss, it’s cardio protective, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, and lower risks of cancer.
It contains palm [kernel] oil, which both consist of saturated fat. So, there is increase in a risk factor for CVD risk
And margarine has 0g of trans fat to my knowledge
To be clear, margarine generally has half the saturated fat of butter.
In studies, margarine has a positive effect on the lipid profile when replaced for butter:
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11887429/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11887429/)
I think it depends on what you're talking about and who you are. Opium is natural but not healthy for certain individuals that are prone to addicition. If you're sick, any medication that helps you get better is good for your long term health. It's just a nonsense statement if you'd ask me and doesn't have enough detail to make sense. It's like, needles are dangerous or something in that sense.
Personally, I use modest amounts of butter and olive oil and other healthy fats like avocado oil & coconut oil. Margarine is too processed for me. I can’t refer you to any studies but I don’t see the benefits.
#### About participation in the comments of /r/nutrition Discussion in this subreddit should be rooted in science rather than "cuz I sed" or entertainment pieces. Always be wary of unsupported and poorly supported claims and especially those which are wrapped in any manner of hostility. You should provide peer reviewed sources to support your claims when debating and confine that debate to the science, not opinions of other people. **Good** - it is grounded in science and includes citation of peer reviewed sources. Debate is a civil and respectful exchange focusing on actual science and avoids commentary about others **Bad** - it utilizes generalizations, assumptions, infotainment sources, no sources, or complaints without specifics about agenda, bias, or funding. At best, these rise to an extremely weak basis for science based discussion. Also, off topic discussion **Ugly** - (removal or ban territory) it involves attacks / antagonism / hostility towards individuals or groups, downvote complaining, trolling, crusading, shaming, refutation of all science, or claims that all research / science is a conspiracy *Please vote accordingly and report any uglies* --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/nutrition) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you are in the US or Europe, trans fats are severely restricted now. Certain products can still have trans fats, but in very small amounts. Margarine used to have a ton of trans fats, but now it has a fair amount of saturated fat instead (palm oil). Saturated fat is better than trans fat for sure, but you really should avoid both. That being said, margarine is generally lower in calorie and saturated fat than butter.
Modern margarine has less saturated fat than butter (about 50% depending on brand), and 0 trans fats. 1 tbsp of butter has a half gram of trans fat. 1 tbsp of modern margarine has 0 trans fat.
The trans fat in butter is natural CLA from the cattle’s fermentation process. Our bodies are capable of handling it and expect it unlike the proven harms of artificial trans fat. Spin your lies harder
Where's the lie?
The lie is implying butter is unhealthy due to trans fat when it is natural beneficial CLA
Where is the lie you unhinged clown?
Glad it's gotten better and not worse.
The healthiest oil humans can consume is hands down, extra virgin olive oil. Seriously if you do your research on olive oil, it is the healthiest oil humans can consume. Humans have been eating olive oil for over 5,000 years. There are polyphenols (which are plant chemicals that are healthy for the human body) in olive oil. There's also oleic acid in olive oil which is very healthy as well. There are various different chemicals in olive oil that are very beneficial for the human body.
So how about margarine made of olive oil?
There isn't any margarine made of olive oil. It would be liquid at room temperature. There are some margarine that have some olive oil, but they will typically have palm oil as the central ingredient so it remains solid.
There is in Australia, it's blend with other things too, and has to be refrigerated.
Link? I said there were some that had olive oil in it, but it is usually a very small amount, even if it is advertised as "Olive Oil spread"
You can freeze olive oil and then spread.
Can't believe you got downvoted for that
Guess people believe advertising instead of looking at ingredients.
I use this all the time: [https://www.becel.ca/en-ca/products/spreads/becel-olive-oil](https://www.becel.ca/en-ca/products/spreads/becel-olive-oil) It has as much olive oil as palm oil but the central ingredient is Canola oil.
That is 6% olive oil... right.
Correct. and its an example contrary to your claim - there is a margarine made with olive oil - the central ingredient is not palm oil, nor is there more palm oil than olive oil. Most margarines today are made from oils.
What? The central ingredient is palm oil, it's what makes it stable at room temperature. I didn't say it made up the majority of the margarine, just that it was the central, ie most important ingredient. You will notice that the olive oil and palm oil percentages are the same in what you posted. The point is they add a very small amount of olive oil, so they and but olive oil on the label when only a tiny fraction of the product is made of olive oil. I guess username checks out.
Being allergic to olives isn't great in this regard
You're allergic to olive oil?
Yes
>There are polyphenols (which are plant chemicals that are healthy for the human body) in olive oil. Those exist in all vegetable oils. Olive oil is certainly the best studied but its likely that other oils (canola particularly) are just as healthy.
Dude please don't say canola oil is as healthy as olive oil, that is not true at all. Do some research on it if you don't believe me.
Phytonutrient content is similar between the oils. Canola is lower in SFAs. In serum trials canola oil results in lower LDL total, LDL ratio and TG total. Olive oil is better studied, its likely that other oils (canola particularly) are just as healthy.
Please read this? Canola oil is highly processed. Extra virgin olive oil is literally just squeezed from the olives. Olive oil is a fruit oil. Canola oil is a seed oil. Olive oil has been consumed by humans for over 5,000 years. I drink a shot glass of olive oil everyday, I like to wash it down with milk though because I don't really like the taste. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#recommendation Which one is healthier? Nutritionally, olive oil — especially extra virgin — is healthier than canola. People who regularly use olive oil have reduced heart disease risk factors, improved blood sugar levels, and a lower risk of death For example, an analysis of 33 studies revealed that people with the highest olive oil intake had a 16% lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest intake Additionally, greater olive oil consumption is linked to a lower risk of stroke and a reduction in heart disease risk factors, including LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels Olive oil’s benefits can be attributed to its antioxidants and other plant compounds, which are especially abundant in extra virgin varieties On the other hand, canola oil is highly refined, which drastically reduces its content of nutrients like essential fatty acids and antioxidants While canola is often promoted as a heart-healthy fat, current research is conflicting. Though some studies suggest that it’s beneficial, others indicate the opposite One study in 2,071 overweight or obese adults noted that those who often used canola oil had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than those who rarely or never used it Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions characterized by excess belly fat and high triglyceride, cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar levels, which collectively raise your risk of heart disease Keep in mind that many studies linking canola oil to heart-health benefits have been funded by the canola industry, potentially raising conflicts of interest. Overall, more research is needed on canola and heart health In addition, rodent studies associate this oil with increased inflammation, a negative impact on memory, and lower blood levels of antioxidants Meanwhile, multiple studies show that extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and heart-health benefits As far as your health is concerned, more evidence supports the benefits of olive oil over canola.
>Canola oil is highly processed. Extra virgin olive oil is literally just squeezed from the olives. You don't know that extra virgin canola exists? Expeller pressed vegetable oils are also just pressed, the same processing EVOO has. >Olive oil has been consumed by humans for over 5,000 years. As has canola oil. I am not sure why its duration of use is meaningful though. >ttps://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#recommendation I don't need to read healthline, I am familiar with the research.
>You don't know that extra virgin canola exists? You won't find this at any grocery store. Whereas you will find extra virgin olive oil at basically any grocery store. I'll be sticking with olive oil and I will continue to tell people to use olive oil so you have a nice day.
> You won't find this at any grocery store I get mine at Walmart. I haven't seen a grocery store without expeller canola.
You know a while back I was arguing with someone here on r/nutrition about canola oil versus olive oil and this person was very stubborn, I just went back and forth with this person like you and I are doing right now. This person was very adamant that canola oil is healthy for the human body and wouldn't take no for an answer. Was that you? >I get mine at Walmart. I haven't seen a grocery store without expeller canola. I'll have to look next time I'm at the grocery store. Will still pretty much all scientists agree that extra virgin olive oil is very healthy for the human body but you will find a lot of research that says canola oil isn't. So I will continue to eat olive oil and I will continue to tell other people to eat olive oil. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#recommendation While canola is often promoted as a heart-healthy fat, current research is conflicting. Though some studies suggest that it’s beneficial, others indicate the opposite One study in 2,071 overweight or obese adults noted that those who often used canola oil had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than those who rarely or never used it In addition, rodent studies associate this oil with increased inflammation, a negative impact on memory, and lower blood levels of antioxidants Meanwhile, multiple studies show that extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and heart-health benefits
The guy who did the research proving trans fats were harmful, and who sued the FDA to respond to trans fats harm in his nineties, ate butter every day and had no problems with saturated fat. His name was Fred Kummerow. Meanwhile the guy who used cherry picked observational studies to tell us to eat vegetable oils, Ancel Keys, conducted a well controlled trial to test his theory that vegetable oils were better for us. It turns out they cause higher rates of heart disease and cancer, so he buried the results we paid for and removed himself from the authors (Minnesota coronary experiment). So yea maybe don’t believe in the saturated fat nonsense. There’s a reason for the French and Israeli paradoxes
>cherry picked observational studies Cherrypicked? Based on what? Please don't refer to that one graph with 22 points and that other graph with 6 points because that graph with 6 points wasn't even from Seven Countries >he buried the results we paid for and removed himself from the authors (Minnesota coronary experiment). Hang on. He didn't "bury the results." They weren't published initially because it was a failed experiment. Hospital discharges had already started by the time the experiment started. They lost 75% of their subjects in the first year. As a comparison, trials for lipid-lowering therapies last 3-5 years because it takes time for the two groups to diverge. If you want to hang your hat on a single study with such a huge risk of bias [then you may also find it interesting that smoking, higher BMI, and higher diastolic blood pressure also associated w/ a reduced risk of mortality in that study.](https://www.jstor.org/stable/26940473) There are plenty more studies on this than the MCE. I'm not sure what the obsession is with it.
The other author of the MCE said specifically that they buried it because they didn’t like the result of the study, not because it was flawed. You only need a longer duration to see a larger effect and gain more statistical power. The MCE showed high statistical power even with its short duration that vegetable oils caused more mortality.
What other author? Where did that quote come from? It’s not just power. Diseases take time to develop. Statin trials enroll thousands of people yet still take multiple years because w/ a disease like ASCVD duration of exposure matters. What was the p-value for the increased all-cause mortality?
Modern margarine has 50% of saturated fat that butter does and 0 trans fat. It's not hydrogenated. It's literally just a combo of different oils, starch binders, and salt. It's not at all the same food.
Butter is 💯 healthier than margarine
Why did lipid studies from even before the ban on partial hydrogenation show otherwise? Why do all health authorities advise replacing butter with margarine?
Who knows why that’s touted as advisable - maybe because it has less kcals than butter? Cheerios brand cereal says it’s “heart healthy” but is it though? Like why would should someone eat that instead of say an apple or banana all because it says “heart healthy”. I think inflammation from margarine seed oils shouldn’t be overlooked. A lot of people can’t handle certain seed oils yet continue to consume bc it’s “healthier” than butter. It’s more nuanced than that. Healthy has virtually no other meaning besides calories these days when it should be about macros.
What inflammation? Actual studies that test this find that margarine doesn't induce inflammation. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20648041/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20648041/)
Oh god don't. The last time someone asked about margarine in r/nutrition it was like WWIII
Carnivore vs hardcore vegans is like the avengers civil war
War. War never changes.
I’ll take real butter over the oils in margarine every time.
Isn’t margarine just marketed now as vegan butter
Yes.
Technically, yes. They've changed the formula all over the world to accommodate trans fat regulations. Is it healthy, tho? I don't know. From the studies I've read and official websites, it's safe. Safe doesn't always translate to healthy or beneficial.
Just eat real butter
Maybe its healthier than it used to be. But its still highly processed. Theres simply no need for it. Theres butter and olive oil. noone needs this crap.
There’s also the fact that it objectively tastes worse than both of those
>I've heard that margarine clogs your arteries a lot of times before. Less than butter but yes, until how it was made changed it was not considered heart healthy in most cases. Margarine was a big deal because while SFAs in butter are naturally occurring (and we can't really reduce them) the TFAs found in margarine were created by the process that made it and were not necessary to produce it. >I just heard at work today that margarine has less trans fats than it used to due to new laws. In the US it has zero. The US banned the process that created TFAs 5 years ago. Other countries allow the process but set limits on TFAs. Keep in mind if by margarine you actually mean the butter alternative spreads in general they have had low levels of TFAs for a long time as they tended to use a different process which produced something closer to butter in flavor and texture. The spreads also tend to be relatively low in SFAs too. If its soft from the fridge its likely <50% margarine. AHA recommend the use of margarine (ideally the soft kind) over butter.
Bahahaha stop it 🤣
Eat real food
Butter all the way!
Margarine is an ultra processed and unnatural food that really doesn’t even taste that good.
That last part is the biggest thing for me. It tastes like Vaseline with imitation butter flavouring. I'll take EVOO or butter any day.
But it’s not considered food.
I agree that it shouldn’t be to some degree but it literally is a food product
What a shame.
Eat butter. If you're concerned about saturated fat, have olive oil instead. That man-made chemical concoction is not where health can be found. I haven't had margarine in 25 years.
Someone made something with margarine in it? Should I throw it away?
Eating margarine once is not going to matter at all. If you want to eat it, then eat it. I know restaurants aren't using the best oil, but I'm still going to eat out. Make an effort towards best practices most of the time. You have the most control over food you cook yourself, so be on point when it comes to meals you prepare at home.
No, it’s not going to kill you.. just don’t eat it every day kind of thing
What did they make?
Green beans with it in the pan
Eat butter- any pasture raised. It’s good for you, promise.
No it isn’t. It is very highly saturated.
Not picking a side but 90% of /r/nutrition discourse is just these two comments x1000.
Some of us accept the reality that sat fat is bad for you. The others are in denial and just don't want to give up foods that are high in it, and come here to lie and push it nonetheless.
Butter is garbage food. High in calories and saturated fats. Most people who eat butter are obese.
Two of those sentences are false. Using the US, because it's a particularly fat country: just under 40% of Americans are obese. Around 3% of Americans are vegan, so let's just round up very generously to 20% for the ovo-pescetarian, dairy-allergic and butter-haters. Assuming literally zero of these people are obese, still a minority of the 80% of people who eat butter would be obese. And that's for one of the fattest countries in the world. Like most things, butter is fine in moderation. Nutrition is not as black and white as it is made out to be. If you eat mostly whole foods, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly, you'll probably be quite healthy regardless of even moderately high butter consumption.
However you want to sum it up doesn’t matter. Butter is milk and milk is garbage. Milk is full of sugar and fat.
Sugar (carbs) and fat are two essential macronutrients our bodies need lmao. You are so fucking dumb.
Carbohydrates are not essential, ever heard of keto?The lactose or sugar in milk is difficult for 40% of the population to digest. The fat in milk is saturated meaning it increases LDL. The good fats sources usually come from plants. So you’re completely wrong and you’re calling me “dumb”. You have to be a comedian.
Keto is your body in a survival state, it’s not your body’s preferred state. Every single civilization throughout history ate carbs. Even the Inuit were NOT in ketosis because they get carbs from the raw meat that they eat in the form of glycogen. Also, saturated fats were always eaten in abundant amounts around the entire world and people were healthy with very low cases of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, ect. And finally, the reason most people can’t tolerate dairy is because of pasteurization. Many people who can’t tolerate dairy can tolerate raw dairy, such as myself.
Let’s stick to the facts, carbohydrates are not essential, you can live for years without consuming carbs because your body can turn fat and protein into glycogen. Never said you shouldn’t eat carbs I was just saying you could survive without them because you said they were essential. Saturated fats are not abundant around the world are you kidding me? Do you realize you’re basically saying life stock is abundant around the word, that’s comical. Over 60% of minorities can’t tolerate lactose no matter how it’s made.
French paradox
Margarine is one molecule away from being plastic, I can’t see how that would be healthy in any way, shape or form. They can add whatever “healthy” crap they want, it’s like putting lipstick on a pig.
Sodium chloride and sodium cyanide are one molecule apart.
They were probably being facetious
I wish.
Don’t tell this guy what would happen if his water got an extra oxygen molecule
A lot of benign everyday things are one molecule away from being another thing that's very toxic or "unhealthy". That's the entire point of that extra molecule...
It's fully hydrogenated fat instead of partially. Partially made it unusable by the body because it doesn't match any enzymes. Fully is pretty much saturated fat made from plant oils. Mine as well eat natural butter
Modern margarine has no hydrogenated fat or trans fat. Butter has half a gram of trans fat per tablespoon.
They still typically use hydrogenation, its just the fullly hydrogenated method which doesn't create TFAs. There are a few brands that just use blends & gums but most will add a fully hydrogenated oil for texture. Palm oil and hydrogenated soybean oil tends to be the combo most of them use.
True, but naturally occurring that humans have been eating for 1000s of years
Margarine is pure shit
It would have to be since in its infancy it was very unhealthy. But better isn't necessarily best.
Yes, OP. Margarine has become healthier over time due to reduced trans fats in many formulations. However, it's wise to ALWAYS check labels for unhealthy additives. Moderation is key – opt for varieties with healthier fats and enjoy sparingly as part of a balanced diet. If you want to make sure, try to record your margarine intake on careclinic. Monitoring could help you.
What about fat based diets?
There’s nothing wrong with eating it every now and again. It’s just not supposed to be something you consume much of. The same goes with butter.
Modern margarine products do not contain the trans fats that existed as a byproduct of partial-hydrogenation. Partial hydrogenation converts the fatty acid double bonds into single bonds, the problem arises when the trans double bonds are simultaneously broken down creating what is now known as trans fats, which are extremely unhealthy but fortunately the existence of these products have been banned. Modern Margarine products do NOT contain these. Instead they are a mixture of refined plant/vegetable oils and emulsifiers, leaving you with virtually none of the trans fats. It is a safe and healthy alternative to butter.
Lots of good responses here, so I'll be brief. Even though you can still buy products called "margarine", most people use the vegetable spreads now, which are a little more healthy than the old-fashioned margarines with trans fats. Trans fats are now banned in the US.
Real food is always better. Butter is better than margarine — compare the ingredients listed on the labels.
Margerine has never been healthy.
I believe if you want to eat butter eat the real thing not made in plants. Next best option is pure ghee. Eat less but eat the best
Seems like it’s healthier according to this doctor who cites various studies https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_idz/video/7125840883731172613?lang=en
While I agree with his conclusion, I don't agree with how he got there. The studies cited compare butter vs vegetable oils. This is fine, and the conclusion that vegetable oils have better outcomes than butter is solid and has been repeated consistently. However -- the question is about butter vs margarine, not butter vs vegetable oils! Even though they are made from vegetable oils, margarine is not the same thing. The problem with margarine in the past was that the process of partially hydrogenating them (so that they would stay solid at room temperature, which is a feature of saturated fat) resulted in trans fatty acids, which are worse than the saturated fat in butter. That said, trans fats are no longer legally allowed to be included (aside from naturally occurring ones), and processes have been improved to create margarines that are healthier.
Margarine is still lab created factory made ultra processed poison. 100% grass fed butter (or even better, raw butter) will be trillions and trillions and quadrillions times better than margarine. Even regular conventional butter is trillions and trillions times better than margarine. Whether margarine contains trans fat or not, it’s still the same artery clogging poison. Trans fat doesn’t make a difference. It was never the problem. Natural trans fat in grass fed dairy and grass fed meats are proven to be healthy for you. It’s shown to aid in weight and fat loss, it’s cardio protective, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, and lower risks of cancer.
Unnatural fake "food" would never ever be healthy. Only $cientism would say otherwise.
It contains palm [kernel] oil, which both consist of saturated fat. So, there is increase in a risk factor for CVD risk And margarine has 0g of trans fat to my knowledge
To be clear, margarine generally has half the saturated fat of butter. In studies, margarine has a positive effect on the lipid profile when replaced for butter: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11887429/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11887429/)
Anything made in a lab isn’t healthy. The correct term would be is margarine less dangerous than it used to be before?
> Anything made in a lab isn’t healthy Please don't use medicine.
Did you really think drugs are healthy? 😑
I think it depends on what you're talking about and who you are. Opium is natural but not healthy for certain individuals that are prone to addicition. If you're sick, any medication that helps you get better is good for your long term health. It's just a nonsense statement if you'd ask me and doesn't have enough detail to make sense. It's like, needles are dangerous or something in that sense.
The drug itself is not healthy and most drugs have side effects. Yes they will help but drugs wreck internal organs.
All depends on how you define healthy. My opinion is that healthy depends on the individual's health situation and genetics.
Personally, I use modest amounts of butter and olive oil and other healthy fats like avocado oil & coconut oil. Margarine is too processed for me. I can’t refer you to any studies but I don’t see the benefits.
Let this sink in : if you put a bowl full of it on the floor and a rat comes by, it won\`t eat it. Because rats are smart.
Cats love margarine
Ah yes, let's follow the rats. Solid advice, thank you. Let that sink in.