Butter is versatile. It’s decadent. You can spread it, melt it, and make sauces with it. Butter can transform bland dishes into tasty masterpieces.
“With enough butter, anything is good.” That’s one of the many wise quotes from one of the most adored cooking personalities of all time – Julia Child.
Although it sometimes gets a bad reputation, grass-fed butter actually has wonderful health benefits. Note that there is a difference between grass-fed butter and conventional butter. Because these cows are fed grass rather than grain, they produce higher quality milk. Their milk is richer in Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). If you don’t know, CLA is a group of fatty acids known to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
There are many reasons to love butter in all of its golden goodness. Here are our top four:
1. It’s a Single-Ingredient Food
Think about the last time you went to the grocery store and all the food and drink options you saw. How many of those were just one ingredient? Not many, right?
Single-ingredient foods are not what you usually find at a grocery store. They’re usually located around the perimeter, generally in the meat, seafood, or produce sections. In a culture where processed foods abound, finding foods without additives is increasingly difficult.
Single-ingredient foods are free of chemicals and mostly unprocessed. This makes them key to a healthy lifestyle. Compare the labels next time you shop!
2. It’s a Good Source of Butyrate
Bacteria in the large intestine produce the fatty acid butyrate when they digest dietary fiber. Research shows that in rats, butyrate helps prevent weight gain from an unhealthy diet by boosting energy expenditure and reducing food intake. Additionally, butyrate enhances mitochondrial function and lowers triglyceride and insulin levels.
Furthermore, butyrate has anti-inflammatory benefits for digestive health—yet another reason to enjoy some butter!
3. It’s Low in Lactose
If you’re lactose intolerant, you’ve probably figured out you need to avoid dairy-filled treats. You also know the difficulty of finding good dairy alternatives. Depending where you shop, you may be left without a lot of choices.
If you hesitate to use butter because it’s made from milk, don’t you worry! Unlike most dairy products, butter contains only trace amounts of lactose. This is because the liquid portion of the milk is removed during manufacturing, and that’s where the lactose is.
This means that even if you can’t tolerate milk, you should be able to eat butter without any digestive issues. However, if you have a true milk or lactose allergy, you need to exercise caution.
4. It’s Rich in Fat- Soluble Vitamins
Butter contains fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and K2. Of these, vitamin A and E are the most prevalent vitamins in butter.
Vitamin E supports your heart health and functions as an antioxidant to protect your cells. Vitamin A is necessary for immune function, skin health, and vision. One tablespoon of butter contains about 11% of your Reference Daily Intake of vitamin A!
Vitamin K2 plays a crucial role in regulating calcium by activating two key proteins: MGP and Osteocalcin. Low levels of K2 have been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This is because it helps remove excess calcium from the bloodstream and directs it to the bones where it’s needed. This helps prevent excess calcium deposits and plaque from building up in your blood vessels.
The Bottom Line With Butter
With all the benefits of butter, it’s no wonder why it holds a beloved place in so many kitchens. Next time you’re at the store, stock up on this creamy staple. I bet you’ll find tons of ways you can sneak some buttery goodness into your day.