Why Butter Is Better For You Than You Think

Have you ever tried convincing someone that butter is part of a healthy diet? He or she was probably skeptical, most likely because of news coverage that advances the idea that saturated fat, which is found in butter, is bad for your health. That may have been the general consensus several decades ago, but based on recent studies, it's widely agreed upon that butter can be a stepping stone on your journey toward a healthy lifestyle.

Click here for the Household Uses for Butter slideshow.

The latest about butter shows that it can be consumed in moderation because it contains fat-soluble vitamins, which are key to maintaining a healthy weight. Butter is mainly composed of fat: 70 percent of butter is saturated fat, about 25 percent of butter is monounsaturated fat, and about 2.3 percent is polyunsaturated fat.

Although butter does contain some trans fats, dairy trans fats are considered healthy, unlike trans fats from processed foods. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found in butter is associated with several health benefits — it may reduce the risk of cancer, promote weight loss, and improve cardiovascular health.

The vitamin and mineral breakdown of butter demonstrates that it is a nutrient-dense food. It provides vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K2, some of which have antioxidant properties that help with health problems.

When choosing which butter to buy, opt for the grass-fed variety. Studies show that grass-fed butter has more nutrients than grain-fed butter in terms of healthy fat content, fat-soluble vitamins, and antioxidants. 

The accompanying slideshow is provided by special contributor, Babble.