Margarine vs Butter: New Facts

The debate whether margarine is healthier than butter has been around for long. The confusion persists for good reason Butter is made from animal products, making it high in cholesterol and saturated fats, which has been linked to heart disease. Margarine is made from polyunsaturated vegetable oils like corn oil, which don’t contain saturated fats. Most people assume that makes it heart healthy. Not exactly. The process of turning polyunsaturated oils in semisolid table spreads creates trans fats, which are just as bad as saturated fats, if not worse. But more studies and health experts suggest that margarine, selected carefully, can be a safer choice. Because higher level of trans fat make margarines more solid, it is best to choose those that are liquid or sold in tubs. Many varieties now contain water or liquid vegetable oil instead of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which can make them virtually free of trans fats.