The need for butter causes. Benefit or harm from butter?! Can you eat butter these days? Harm and side effects

Evgeny Shmarov

Reading time: 12 minutes

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Butter is obtained by churning cream or separating. Most often this food product made from cow's milk. This oil has a high fat content - at least 82.5%.

Let's consider how this product is useful and harmful, and also we will figure out which butter is the best on Russian shelves.

Varieties and types of butter - which is tastier and healthier?

According to the taste and raw materials used, the oil is divided into:

These are the two standard types. They can be both sweet and salty. The mass fraction of fat in them is 82.5%. This is real butter, not a spread. But it is difficult to find it on Russian shelves, or its price is very high.

From how much fat is in the butter, the following types of butter are distinguished:

• Traditional
  Its fat content is 82.5%. This butter is made from pasteurized cream. It is sweet and soft in taste. This oil is more useful than all other types.
• amateur
  This oil is also good, but it is considered to be a spread, since the fat content is exactly 80%. Such butter can be different - sweet, salty, sour.
• Peasant
  Butter is also considered a spread. His mass fraction fat is even less than the previous one - 72.5%. It can be sweet cream - only sweet or salty, and sour cream salty.
• sandwich
  This spread has 61% fat content. Meets the taste of sweet and sour cream unsalted.
• tea
  The fat content of the spread is 50%. And this means that such oil is not useful.
• Oil with various fillers
  For example, chocolate butter has a fat content of 62%. There are also honey and fruit fillings. But note - they will also have a low percentage of fat and do not benefit your body.
• Ghee
  This butter is made from butter by melting milk fat. Its fat content is at least 98%, but at the same time it does not contain useful substances.

Despite the fact that the first three varieties are considered to be the best, they may contain table salt, carotene (food coloring), bacterial preparations, concentrates of lactic microorganisms. These substances are not dangerous.

But the composition of other types of butter, except for ghee, can include not only useful vitamins and bacterial concentrates, but also harmful flavors, preservatives, stabilizers and emulsifiers . That is why it is not worth buying such a spread.

Composition, calorie content and nutritional value of ghee, sandwich, peasant and other varieties of butter

100 g of butter contains:

• 15.8 g of water.
• 82.5 g fat.
• 0.8 g of carbohydrates.
• 0.5 g of proteins.
• 0.03 g organic acids.

It also contains vitamins:

• A - 0.59 mg.
• D - 0.008 mg.
• Beta-carotene - 0.38 mg.
• E - 2.2 mg.
• B2 - 0.01 mg.
• PP - 0.05 mg.

Not all varieties contain vitamins in small quantities. C, B1, B9.

Butter contains useful micro and macro elements:

• 0.2 g of ash.
• 19 mg phosphorus.
• 15 mg potassium.
• 12 mg calcium.
• 7 mg sodium.
• 0.4 mg magnesium.
• 200 micrograms of iron.
• 100 micrograms of zinc.
• 2.5 micrograms of copper.
• 2 micrograms of manganese.

Consider nutritional value different varieties oils:

• There are 717 kcal in 100 g of butter.
• In the same amount of traditional - 748 kcal.
• In the amateur - 709 kcal.
• In the peasant - 661 kcal.
• In a sandwich - 566 kcal.
• In tea - 546 kcal.
• In melted - 892 kcal.

Benefit

Butter has positive properties:

• Gives the body strength and energy due to its rich composition.
• Absorbed quickly.
• Has a wound healing effect. Helps those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases.
• Heals ulcers, fights gastritis, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis.
• Patients are allowed to eat 15-20 g of oil per day.
• Useful for women. Thanks to cholesterol, the body produces bile acids and sex hormones that promote menstruation and conception.
• Children improve their intellectual abilities, restore memory, concentration.
• The overall balance of lipids in the blood and cholesterol levels are normalized.
• Reduces the risk of cancer.
• Preserves the visual function of the body.
• Prevents osteoporosis and rickets.
• Improves all metabolic processes of the body - cellular, mineral, vitamin.

Oil should be used fresh or add to the dish after it is cooked.

Frying in butter will not bring any benefit, all the nutrients and nutrients that make up its composition will disappear.

Suitable for frying melted butter . It contains 98% fat and several times more vitamins and elements than cream. Nutritionists recommend frying food on it, as it contains almost no unsaturated fats, which, when heated, oxidize and become harmful.

Harm and contraindications

Too much butter can cause:

• obesity due to high calorie content and fatness.
• Atherosclerosis and heart disease, blood vessels because the oil contains a large amount of cholesterol and unsaturated fats.
• Allergies, since butter is made up of milk proteins.

The trans fats that are part of the spread or margarine are of great harm to our body. They:

• Disrupt metabolism. Hence the obesity.
• They settle on the walls of blood vessels and clog cells.
• Increase the risk of atherosclerosis, cancer, heart disease.
• Spoil the quality of the milk of a nursing mother.
• Develop diabetes especially in pregnant women.

To avoid unpleasant consequences, eat really real oil. Spread or margarine won't do you any good.

In the diet of children, nursing mothers, pregnant women, diabetics with allergies - SF answers all questions

When using butter, many questions arise. Let's answer the most common ones:

At what age can butter be introduced into children's menu?

• This product can be given to a baby at 5 months in the amount of 1-4 grams.
• At 7-8 months, the dose should be 4-5 g, at a year old - 6 g, at 1-3 years - from 6 to 15 g.
• In the first months of life, it is better to assimilate oil with vegetable puree, then you can add oil to cereals.

Is butter good for diabetes?

• The hypoglycemic index of butter is very high, so diabetics should avoid this product.
• But, since the oil is nutritious and healthy, nutritionists allow it to be consumed in diabetes with a maximum of 15 g per day.

Can children or adults be allergic to butter?

Allergy to butter is rare. It can occur in allergy sufferers due to the ingredients in the product. harmful substances, for example - emulsifiers, flavors, etc. Therefore, when choosing an oil, read its composition.

How much butter can a pregnant woman eat?

The human body needs 10 grams of butter daily, and the body of a pregnant woman needs 30 grams.

Dishes with butter in the diet of a nursing mother?

Nursing mothers should eat butter in the first month after childbirth.

The maximum and required dosage is 30 g. This amount will be enough to restore strength, energy for the mother and for the development of the baby. Oil can be added to porridge or just make a sandwich.

Butter for gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis

• With these and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is allowed to eat 20 g of oil per day. This amount will not harm the body and will help cure diseases, facilitate the passage and absorption of food.
• With exacerbations of the above diseases, it is necessary to refuse both butter and other fats and oils in the patient's diet.

Preparation and storage rules

Dishes with butter for an adult menu

Baby food with butter

The children's diet should also include dishes with butter. Here's what you can cook for kids:

• Cauliflower soup puree or. Suitable for a child from 1 year old.
• Liver pate with butter. Pate can be eaten by children from 1 year.
• Porridge with butter - for children from 5 months.

How to store butter properly?

Store butter in unpackaged form.

Here are important criteria and terms of storage of this product at home:

• In parchment at a temperature of minus 3 degrees, the oil can be stored for 10 days.
• IN plastic utensils stored at the same temperature for 15 days.
• In laminated foil - 20 days.
• And in a metal can - 3 months.

To prevent butter from molding and has been stored longer, it is worth storing it in the freezer. His beneficial features do not change at cold temperatures. From a frozen piece, you can cut off a small one and put it in a butter dish.

By the way, so that the oil does not mold, does not turn yellow and does not have bad smell , store it in a ceramic or wooden butter dish on the top shelf of the refrigerator.

At room temperature oil can also be saved . It is worth putting a piece in an enamel pan with salt water, cover with a plate, place a load on top and put in the coldest place. 20 g of salt are dissolved in 1 liter of water.

And ghee should be stored in glass jar, in a refrigerator. It doesn't spoil for a long time.

How to make ghee on your own?

• Melt the butter in a ladle or saucepan.
• Bring to a boil and lower the heat.
• As soon as you notice sediment settling, pour the mixture into another bowl.
• In order to melt 400 g of butter, it takes half an hour, and 1-2 kg - an hour.

How to make butter at home?

You can also make your own butter at home. This difficult method is divided into several steps:

Butter is present in daily diet most people. It is nutritious and useful product. In Russia, he gained fame back in the 19th century, and since that time he has been perceived precisely as food. However, butter can also be used for other purposes, for example, for the preparation of medicinal and cosmetic products at home.

Chemical composition

Butter is a concentrate of milk fat. It consists entirely of dairy products, and it can be obtained by separating or whipping cream. It should not contain any other additives, especially preservatives. Sometimes salt can be found in the composition. Butter is rich in oleic acid, which is a useful monounsaturated acid, as well as other fatty acids, including linolenic, arachidonic and linoleic. The total amount of fatty acids reaches 150. There are those without which the human body cannot function normally. Butter contains vitamins, minerals And a small amount of water.

Table: the content of nutrients in butter

Valuable product properties

Butter can be very beneficial for a sick stomach. It has an enveloping effect, and the complex of vitamins contained in butter contributes to the rapid healing of the walls of the stomach. However, it should be remembered that in some diseases gastrointestinal tract the product may be harmful. Therefore, before using it, it is better to consult a doctor.

Points of view about what fat content butter should be (72.5% or 82.5%) differ. There is an opinion that oil below 82% fat should not be consumed. This statement is incorrect. The difference between products with different fat content is only in the production technology.

Butter has the following valuable properties:

1. It is the prevention of oncology and prevents the formation of metastases in an already existing disease.
2. Saturates the body with energy, increases endurance and working capacity.
3. Promotes cellular regeneration of organs and tissues of the body.
4. Increases immunity.
5. Improves the condition of skin, hair, teeth and nails.
6. It has a positive effect on vision.
7. It has a mild antifungal effect. In particular, the lauric acid present in the composition is able to cope with the Candida fungus. Of course, from the mere use of butter, the diseases caused by this fungus will not go away, but as an additional factor, this product contributes to recovery.
8. Improves brain function.
9. Promotes the production of serotonin.

Thanks to certain rules for choosing butter, you can avoid buying a spread

Please note: in the warm season, if the storage conditions are not observed, the oil may deteriorate and subsequently cause food poisoning, which manifests itself 1-2 hours after the use of the product. As a rule, it is not dangerous and is treated with gastric lavage and taking adsorbents.

Benefits for women

Butter has a positive effect on the hormonal system of the body, including the female one. For the normal process of producing steroid hormones, which include female sex hormones, the intake of fatty acids is necessary. Cholesterol found in butter, in moderate doses, can also be helpful. Despite the fact that it is now customary to talk about the dangers of cholesterol, for the normal functioning of the female reproductive system, it is necessary to maintain it at a certain level. This explains the hormonal imbalances that can be observed in women suffering from malnutrition or excessive dieting.

Benefits for men

Androgens, male sex hormones, are also steroidal. Therefore, butter has no less positive effect on men than on women. First of all, the use of butter has a positive effect on reproductive function and sexual activity, which, with insufficient production of male hormones, can significantly decrease.

Benefits for children

It is extremely important for children to get the necessary amount of fatty acids from food. This is necessary for the healthy physical and mental development of the child. Brain cells cannot be normally formed in conditions of deficiency of the components that make up the butter. Therefore, the children's menu must necessarily include the inclusion of oil in the diet. All children's institutions use this product for preparing hot meals and sandwiches, which are on the menu kindergarten predominantly offered for breakfast.

Is it good for breakfast

Nutritionists are inclined to believe that it is the first meal of the day that is most favorable for the use of butter. The beneficial substances contained in it are absorbed much better than in later meals. But the calories that enter the body during breakfast are mainly spent on maintaining the energy tone of the body, and are not deposited on the sides.

Video: butter - how to distinguish a healthy product from a spread

Contraindications

Despite the obvious benefits, butter also has contraindications for use:

• allergic reactions;
• milk protein intolerance;
• high blood cholesterol;
• problems with the heart and blood vessels;
• obesity;
• prone to acne - improper functioning of the sebaceous glands can be aggravated by the use of fatty foods. They need to be reduced as much as possible.

Basically, all the negative consequences are associated with the feature of the product to increase the level of cholesterol in the blood. But you need to remember that people who do not have contraindications from the above list are only useful for natural butter, which does not contain additives in the form of trans fats. The product that contains additional components is not butter and has many more contraindications.

Butter can lead to an increase in cholesterol levels only if consumed excessively. Compliance with the norm of consumption (and the absence of contraindications) excludes bad influence this product.

Individual reactions to the product should also be taken into account. . For some people, butter causes heartburn. This happens with certain types of gastritis or cholecystitis and is due to the fact that the bile produced to break down fats, instead of duodenum, where it should go, enters the stomach, causing acid reactions.

For people with problems with the heart and blood vessels, butter is contraindicated

Features of the use of butter

An adult healthy person is supposed to eat 30 g of butter per day. In winter, this rate can be doubled, since at this time of the year there is a shortage of nutrients in the body, and additional feeding is also required for heating. Children under the age of ten are allowed to consume much less oil. Their norm does not exceed 10 g. Butter should be carefully included in the diet of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, as well as gastric diseases. Their norm is equal to children's and is 10 g per day.

Some people, fearful of the saturated fat found in butter, prefer to substitute margarine instead. This is unlikely to be beneficial, since the latter is created from vegetable oil by hydrogenation, which leads to the formation of trans fats that negatively affect the body.

Butter benefits for various categories of people.

During pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy, butter is indispensable product, as it nourishes the body and, in particular, the female organs responsible for bearing the fetus. During this period, it is also useful for the prevention of varicose veins, because thanks to it, the walls of blood vessels remain elastic. Vitamin D found in butter helps good assimilation calcium, which is very important both for the woman herself and for the formation of the child's body.

It is allowed during pregnancy to slightly exceed the consumption of butter. It can reach 50 g. But at the same time, it is necessary to monitor weight and cholesterol levels. If any of the above exceeds the norm, then oil consumption will have to be reduced to a minimum.

Butter does not pose a danger to the child's body, but its excessive consumption by a nursing mother can provoke digestive problems or allergic reactions in the baby. The latter, however, is extremely rare. The norm for a woman during lactation is no more than 20 g per day.

At what age can children be given

By general rule Children begin to give butter at 6-8 months. Until this time, fatty foods are excluded for the child, as they can provoke problems with the digestive tract. It is better to introduce oil into the diet starting with sunflower or olive, and only then, when the body adapts to fat, you can try butter. Portions of a child under one year old should be very small and not exceed 5 g per day. You should pay attention to the composition, taste, price and fat content of the product, so as not to accidentally confuse the oil with the spread and other oil-containing products that include trans fats. Such food is strictly forbidden to the child.

The famous pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky argues that butter should not be given to children before 8 months, since animal fats are not recommended before this age. He advises introducing oil into the diet only when the child is already well assimilating cottage cheese, kefir and cereals.

Butter for various diseases

Since butter has a small number of contraindications, it is approved for use in many diseases. Moreover, it can be used as a medicine.

Important to know: after operations (which do not require follow-up special diet) and caesarean section, it is allowed to use butter on the fourth day.

Gastritis

The use of butter for gastritis can affect the condition of the stomach in different ways. As a rule, it is well tolerated and even acts favorably on the walls of the digestive tract, promoting healing. However, in rare cases it can cause heartburn. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to well-being after its use. The norm for a person suffering from this disease is 25 g per day.

stomach ulcer

Unlike other animal products, butter is allowed for this disease. There are even traditional medicine recipes, the main ingredient of which is butter.

To prepare a cure for stomach ulcers, you will need the following ingredients:

• 0.5 tablespoon of honey;
• 50 g of alcohol (drinking, not more than 50%).

Melt butter and honey in a water bath, then cool slightly, mix with alcohol and take the entire resulting volume of the mixture at a time. This should be done in the morning, on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast. Every day you need to prepare the mixture again, you can not store it. The duration of treatment is 30 days. Then a two-week break and, if necessary, repeat the course again.

Video: butter for stomach pain

pancreatitis

During an exacerbation of the disease, fatty foods, including butter, are prohibited. In the chronic course of the disease, it is allowed to consume up to 20 g of oil per day. It is desirable if it is used as a dressing for side dishes, and not for making sandwiches. In the latter case, it will be cold, and therefore more difficult to digest.

Diabetes

In any form of diabetes, it is necessary to follow a diet, including limiting fat-containing foods, as they can negatively affect blood sugar levels. Also, diabetics should refrain from foods that increase cholesterol. The vessels of such people are already very fragile, they cannot be endangered by the occurrence of cholesterol plaques. Therefore, the maximum daily norm of butter for a diabetic is 15 g.

For people with diabetes, butter should only be consumed in very small amounts.

From hemorrhoids

Butter is very effective for this ailment. It can relieve inflammation and even stop bleeding. Can be made from oil candles.

You will need:

• 250 g butter;
• 1 tablespoon of honey;
• 10 g of wax.

It is necessary to melt the wax and oil separately in a water bath. Next, mix all three ingredients before the wax hardens, and make a candle out of the resulting mass. They should be used at night as needed without restrictions on the duration of the course. Keep refrigerated. Wax hardens very quickly, so it's best to do a few pieces rather than large batches.

For constipation

Recommended for use. However, do not expect an immediate effect. It is necessary to take butter regularly, preferably not exceeding daily allowance for an adult (30 g). Of these, it is desirable to eat 10-15 g in the morning, on an empty stomach, 20 minutes before breakfast.

Milk with cough oil during pregnancy

Can be used during pregnancy useful recipe that does not harm the body, unlike medications. The recipe is used for dry cough.

• 1 glass of milk;
• 1 tablespoon of oil;
• ¼ teaspoon of soda;
• 1.5 teaspoons of honey.

Milk should be boiled and then cooled slightly. Then add all other ingredients to it. You can drink up to three times in a day. Preferably no more than 3-4 days, as the drink is quite high-calorie and contains a lot of fat. This remedy is used when a moderate cough occurs. If the disease develops, you should consult a doctor.

Hot drink with milk, butter and honey is an excellent cough remedy

Gout

Gout is a serious metabolic disease, so it is impossible to cure it with butter alone. However, it can be used to prepare an ointment that will help alleviate the symptoms of the disease. You need to take medical alcohol and butter at a ratio of 1: 1 and cook a mixture of these ingredients over low heat until the alcohol has completely evaporated. The remaining substance is used for rubbing diseased growths that occur with gout, 2 times a day. You can use it constantly, without interruption.

From sinusitis

The following recipe is found in the journal "Bulletin of Healthy Lifestyle" for 2007. It is necessary to put a piece of butter the size of a pea in one nostril at night. Before going to bed the next day, do the same, only put the oil in the other nostril. So alternate until the effect is achieved. It is believed that as a result, pus should come out of the sinuses.

Painful joints

For the treatment of joints, you can prepare a special ointment. You will need:

• 1 raw egg;
• vinegar essence;
• 150 g butter.

Place the egg in vinegar essence(so that it is completely immersed) for 3 days. After that take it out. By this time it should be soft. It must be turned into a homogeneous mass, without peeling, and mixed with oil. The resulting ointment is rubbed into diseased joints daily for 4 days. After use every other day until relief occurs. Keep refrigerated.

From a heel spur

This recipe is similar to the previous one, but has its own characteristics. Have to take:

• 2 teaspoons of vinegar essence;
• 1 raw egg;
• 100 ml melted butter.

The egg must be mixed with the essence. Add the shells and oil crushed in a coffee grinder there. Insist 5 days. The resulting ointment is applied to the spurs with a thick layer. Next, a compress is made: from above, the sore spot is covered with gauze and cellophane, fixed with a plaster.

Regular compresses with butter, vinegar, and egg help relieve heel spur pain in the foot.

The same mixture can remove warts. In this case, it is better not to do compresses, because the ointment can get on healthy skin around the neoplasm and cause a burn. It is necessary to carefully apply the mixture on the wart and leave until completely absorbed, trying not to accidentally erase it. Repeat daily until you get results.

For immunity

Have to take:

• 50 ml of aloe juice;
• 100 g of ground viburnum;
• 150 g walnuts;
• 150 g of honey;
• 150 g butter.

All ingredients must be mixed and taken 1 teaspoon 2 times a day after meals. The duration of the course is at least 2 months. Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container.

From varicose veins

It is necessary to mix chopped garlic and butter in a ratio of 1: 2. With this mixture, treat locally affected areas of the veins. After applying, wrap with parchment, and on top with a bandage. It is necessary to walk with such a bandage for 12 hours, then remove and rinse the areas treated with ointment with cool water. You can do it 2 times a week for 3 months. Then take a break for 1 month.

Butter for losing weight people and athletes

People who are trying to lose weight should eat fat-containing foods with great caution. Butter contains 745 calories and 82% milk fat, so dietary products it does not apply. However, daily consumption of at least 10 g of butter per day is recommended to maintain health and, first of all, the hormonal system of the body, which has a heavy load during the diet.

People involved in sports should consume butter in the amount prescribed as the norm for a healthy adult, that is, 30 g per day. Although in general saturated fats are quite unhealthy for athletes, so if possible, butter can be partially replaced with olive oil.

For people who exercise regularly, butter is recommended to be consumed in small quantities.

beauty recipes

Butter can be used not only for food, but also to make various face and hair masks based on it.

Hair Growth Mask

• 1 tablespoon of grated horseradish root;
• 1 tablespoon of butter;
• 1 yolk.

The ingredients are mixed and applied to the scalp for 40 minutes. Top with cellophane and a towel. The mask is washed off warm water with shampoo. You can do it once a week.

Moisturizing face mask

• boiled potatoes - 1 pc.;
• butter - 15 g;
• kefir.

Mash potatoes and mix with butter. Add a little kefir, 0.5 - 1 teaspoon. Apply the mixture on your face for 30 minutes. You can do 2 times a week for 3 months. Then a month break.

For the skin around the eyes

• cottage cheese 9% fat - 1 tablespoon;
• butter - 1 teaspoon;
• warm milk - 1 teaspoon.

Mix everything well until a homogeneous consistency and apply to the area around the eyes for 30 minutes. Can be done 2 times a week. After 2 months, take a two-week break.

For acne

• 1 teaspoon of butter;
• 0.5 teaspoon of raspberry leaf juice.

Make a cream from the ingredients and apply it pointwise to problem areas. It is advisable to do the procedure at night, and wash your face in the morning as usual.

There is a lot of controversy about the benefits and harms of butter. Adepts healthy lifestyle life try to reduce as much as possible, and even completely eliminate products containing animal fats from the diet. Today, the average Russian eats only 1.2 kg of butter per year, while the annual norm recommended by nutritionists is 4.5 kg. Is it worth limiting the use of this product and what is more in it - benefit or harm?

What is useful butter?

If you study the composition of butter in more detail, then the benefits of the product are obvious.

Table: chemical composition of traditional butter (82.5% fat)

With their valuable qualities butter is primarily due to a balanced complex of 150 fatty acids, 20 of which are essential, that is, not produced by the human body. Let's name a few of the most significant:

• butyric and linoleic acids have an anticarcinogenic effect and prevent oncological diseases;
• lauric acid has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it increases the body's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections;
• oleic acid, which makes up 45% of the product, lowers cholesterol levels, prevents its deposition on the walls of blood vessels and protects the heart.

Butter contains many other useful substances and fat-soluble vitamins that perform important functions in the body:

• lecithin normalizes cholesterol metabolism;
• Vitamin A maintains visual acuity and correct work immune system, strengthens the epithelium respiratory tract, and it also envelops and heals the mucous membranes, which is why the product is necessarily part of the diet in the treatment of stomach ulcers;
• vitamin D, necessary for the absorption of vitamin A and calcium, contributes to the strength of bones and joints, healthy teeth, hair and nails;
• vitamin E is a natural antioxidant, it takes part in the regulation of the circulatory system and liver function, prevents the formation of cancer cells and protects the immune system.

Butter is indispensable for diseases of the digestive system - it can increase bile secretion and reduce the acidity of gastric juice.

Butter is very valuable for women. It is indispensable not only for maintaining beauty, but also for normal hormonal background. No wonder it is recommended for problems with conception. If there is not enough adipose tissue in a woman's body, then her menstrual cycle is disturbed, she is not able to become pregnant and bear a child. The oil also prevents the development of breast cancer.

Butter is also useful for men - it helps to maintain normal sexual activity, and animal protein and vitamin E improve sperm production.

There are many myths about butter. Some of them are debunked by Dr. Sergei Agapkin in the video clip of the program "About the most important thing."

Video: the whole truth about butter

When is butter not good for you?

Many doctors believe that the use of butter should be completely abandoned in the presence of the following problems:

• heart attack or stroke;
• hypertension and any other cardiovascular diseases;
• individual intolerance;
• obesity - due to high calorie content.

But not all experts agree with this. In contrast to their colleagues, other doctors recommend only limiting the consumption of the product, but not completely eliminating it from the diet.

Excessive passion for butter and constant excess of the recommended daily dose, especially with a sedentary lifestyle and over 40 years of age, is fraught with atherosclerosis, obesity, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, liver and kidneys.

Butter is definitely harmful if used for frying or added to baked goods. The fact is that, in addition to milk fat, the product contains protein components, which, when heated, form free radicals, leading to the oncological diseases.

The benefits of ghee for the body:

Butter's reputation has been seriously damaged by a large number fakes. Of all dairy products, butter is the leader in terms of the amount of surrogate produced. Fake Products and spreads contain trans fats that damage artery walls. That is why when buying unfamiliar brands of butter, you should always carefully study the packaging. The composition of the natural product includes only cream, salted butter contains a small percentage of salt. No other components should be present in real oil. Fat content of less than 80–85% can be alarming: often such a product contains unhealthy impurities.

Find out more about how to choose the right butter in a video from an expert in food production, Associate Professor Anar Mambetova.

Video: the secrets of choosing the right butter

Some complain of heartburn from butter. The reason for this may be gastroesophageal reflux - the reverse reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. The presence of such a symptom is the reason for contacting a gastroenterologist.

Many teenagers refuse butter because of the formation of acne. In this case, it is worth limiting the consumption of the product to 10 g per day and include more coarse fiber in the diet - vegetables, herbs, fruits. The complete rejection of animal fats during puberty can lead to hormonal disorders and other serious health problems.

How much oil can you eat without harm to health?

For a healthy person, nutritionists recommend eating up to 20 g of butter daily. In order for the product to be fully absorbed, and not deposited in fat on the sides, it is better to use it for breakfast. The body will be saturated and receive a powerful boost of energy. It is good to add oil to cereals, main dishes or make sandwiches with it.

In case of obesity, problems with the heart and blood vessels, the consumption of the product should be limited to 5 g per day.

Features of the use of butter for different categories of people

When using butter, there may be some nuances depending on the age and condition of the body.

During pregnancy

Regular consumption of butter during pregnancy is necessary for many reasons:

• high calcium content provides correct formation the skeletal system of the unborn child;
• a complex of fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids ensure the absorption of calcium and the normal functioning of the digestive system, protect the immune system, maintain the skin, teeth, hair and nails of the mother in a healthy state;
• the oil contains substances responsible for the growth and proper formation of new cells, stabilizing the hormonal background;
• the product ensures the elasticity of blood vessels and helps to avoid the development of varicose veins.

In the first trimester, all the vital organs of the baby are laid, so the expectant mother should receive enough protein, calcium and vitamins with food. If there are no contraindications, the consumption of butter at this time can be increased to 30 g per day.

On early dates often pregnant women suffer from toxicosis. In this case, the consumption of fatty foods should be limited, but you can not refuse it completely. The permitted amount of butter for toxicosis is up to 10 g per day. It is better to add it to cereals and main dishes.

In the second trimester, heartburn and constipation often become constant companions of expectant mothers. One teaspoon of butter on an empty stomach will help a woman cope with constipation, and if taken 10 minutes after eating, you can get rid of heartburn. At the end of this period, the active growth of the baby begins, so the risk of gaining excess weight is very high. That is why the consumption of butter should be reduced to 20 g per day.

When breastfeeding

Butter is necessary for a nursing mother - it contains a lot of vitamins and minerals necessary for the baby to normal growth and development. And the probability of provoking an allergic reaction in a crumb is extremely small, since the content of animal protein in the product is insignificant - only half a percent.

It is very important to monitor the quality of the product and buy oil from proven trademarks. In no case should a nursing mother use oil for frying or add it to baking. At heat treatment it turns into poison for the child.

You can include the product in your diet for your mother from the first month of a baby's life. But this must be done gradually. The initial dose should not exceed half a teaspoon. In the future, little by little it can be increased.

But do not get carried away with the product beyond measure. 30 g is the maximum daily dose for a nursing mother. Its excess can cause an increase in cholesterol, obesity, heartburn, indigestion, and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

In rare cases, butter can provoke an allergic reaction in a baby. Then mom should stop using it for at least a few months, until digestive system the baby will not get stronger.

Butter for feeding

The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky believes that a child who is breastfed does not need to be given butter for complementary foods before 8 months. The doctor recommends first introducing the baby to foods such as kefir, cottage cheese, vegetable purees and cereals. As for oils, you need to start with refined vegetable oils. And only after the child gets used to all of the above products, you can add a small amount of butter to the finished porridge. For formula-fed babies, butter can be introduced into the diet from 6 months.

The initial dose should be no more than 1 gram, this is literally on the tip of a knife. Then you should make sure that the product is well tolerated and only after that begin to gradually increase the portion of animal fat to 5 g per day, which corresponds to 1 teaspoon.

Table: the consumption rate of butter for children of the first year of life

Children should be given only high quality natural product. Spreads (products based on a mixture of dairy and vegetable fats) in the diet of the baby are unacceptable. Butter can only be added to a ready-made warm dish, but in no case during cooking or stewing.

Butter in the children's menu

The daily intake of butter for children from 1 to 3 years old is from 6 to 10 g (no more than 2 teaspoons). The product is added to ready-made porridge or vegetable side dishes, used to lubricate soufflés and puddings, as well as to make sandwiches.

Children from 3 to 7 years old can be given up to 15 g of the product per day. It is not worth exceeding the daily allowance, so as not to cause obesity and digestive problems in the child.

Children over 7 and teenagers need 20-25 grams of butter per day. This product is mandatory in the diet of a student, as it increases mental activity, concentration and energizes for the whole day.

The use of butter in certain diseases

Butter is part of therapeutic diets for many diseases. Consider how the product can help with some of them.

For pancreatitis, gastritis and stomach ulcers

All these ailments are associated with inflammation of the mucous membranes. Therefore, the diet here is no less important than drug treatment. It is aimed at healing the mucous membranes of the stomach and pancreas and helps to prevent complications.

In the acute period, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, only water and weak tea are allowed. After a few days, liquid porridge-smear, rubbed mucous soups-mashed potatoes, soft-boiled eggs or steam omelets, kissels. Any fatty foods during the period of exacerbation are excluded. Butter is included in the diet of a patient with pancreatitis at the stage of remission - 2–3 weeks after the exacerbation is removed. Only a natural product with a fat content of at least 82% will benefit. It is better to add it to cereals and side dishes.

With a stomach ulcer, butter with propolis and honey helps well.

The effectiveness of this remedy is due to the high antibacterial activity of the components (including in the fight against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastritis and ulcers), as well as the ability to heal and restore damaged cells of the gastric mucosa. For cooking remedy will need:

• 10 g of propolis;
• 90 g unsalted butter;
• 1 teaspoon honey.

1. Propolis must first be placed in the freezer, then chopped into fine grater to obtain pieces with a diameter of 1 to 3 mm.
2. Soften the butter in a water bath and mix with pieces of propolis.
3. Keep the mixture in a water bath for 20 minutes.
4. Filter hot oil through cheesecloth.
5. In a soft cooled product, add 1 teaspoon of honey.
6. Place the finished mixture in a hermetically sealed glass or ceramic dishes under the lid.
7. The product must be stored in the refrigerator.

The remedy is taken in a course of 3 weeks, 1 teaspoon three times a day, 1 hour before meals.

For diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is not a reason to completely exclude butter from the diet, but it is important to observe the correct dosage. The permitted amount of the product for this disease is no more than 15 g per day.

Regular consumption of butter helps to solve a number of problems that occur with type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

• supports the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• preserves vision;
• promotes the speedy healing of wounds and cracks on the skin;
• gives a powerful energy charge;
• increases mental activity.

Exceeding the dosage is fraught with:

• the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels;
• circulatory disorders in the lower extremities, which leads to the emergence of the so-called diabetic foot - a complex tissue lesion in this area;
• heart attack or stroke.

With hemorrhoids

Regular consumption of butter inside with this disease helps to normalize the stool and make it "slippery".

The combination of oil and honey can also be used externally to relieve pain in the anus and reduce bleeding. For this, a tablespoon dairy product mixed with the same amount liquid honey and inserted into the anus.

On the basis of butter, you can prepare anal suppositories that will help relieve inflammation and heal anal fissures:

100 g of butter must be melted, add 1 tablespoon of dry chamomile, flaxseed, mullein. Stir and keep in a water bath for an hour. Add a small amount of beeswax. Pour the mixture onto a flat plate and let cool. naturally. Cut the frozen mass in small pieces. Store finished candles in the refrigerator.

For constipation

A mixture of butter, dates and black pepper will help to cope with constipation.

1. 10 dried dates must be washed well, pitted and finely chopped.
2. Melt 1 teaspoon of butter in a water bath and pour it into the chopped ones.
3. Add a small amount of ground black pepper to the mixture, literally at the tip of a knife.

The resulting mixture should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, 2 hours before meals and water.

If the problem is systemic, a course is needed until the symptoms disappear.

Cough during pregnancy

During pregnancy, many medications prohibited. In such a situation, a combination of butter, milk, soda and honey will help to defeat a cough with a cold. The tool is suitable if there is no temperature.

Preparation of cough medicine:

1. Boil and cool a glass of natural cow's milk.
2. Add to it 1/3 teaspoon of soda and 1 teaspoon of honey and butter.
3. Mix all components thoroughly until completely dissolved.

It is better to drink the remedy after dinner before going to bed. The drink will help soften the throat, stop coughing, calm down and fall asleep faster.

For gout

When gout flares up, it is very important to follow a diet. It is aimed at limiting protein products that cause an increase in uric acid in the body, leading to the deposition of salts in the joints. The total amount of fat is limited to 80 g per day, with preference given to vegetable rather than animal. Butter consumption should be reduced to 5 g per day.

With sinusitis

A recipe from Vanga will help free the sinuses from purulent accumulations. At night, you need to put a small, pea-sized piece of butter in one nostril. The next night, do the same procedure for the other nostril. An important condition - the oil must be natural and fresh.

For joint pain

A folk remedy based on butter, eggs and vinegar will help to cope with pain.

In 150 g of any vinegar from 4 to 9%, you need to place a well-washed fresh raw egg. For these purposes, it is better to use a narrow glass, since the egg must be completely immersed in the liquid. Leave to infuse for 3-5 days until the shell dissolves. At the same time, the egg should increase in volume and become like rubber.

It is not scary if the shell does not dissolve completely. Then the egg film must be pierced and removed along with the remains of the shell, and the protein and yolk should be properly mixed with vinegar. To prepare an ointment for the joints, 100 g of softened butter and 1 teaspoon of honey are added to the resulting mixture. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator.

It is better to rub the diseased joint with the resulting remedy before going to bed. Then this place must be wrapped with cling film, and on top - with a thick cloth or a warm scarf. Leave all night. The ointment relieves pain and partially restores the structure of the joint.

For dieters

Even those who are on a diet to lose weight need fats - they are part of cell membranes and are the building material for new cells. A reasonable amount (no more than 15 g per day) of butter will not be deposited in excess fat, but it will help maintain a healthy shine of hair, prevent brittle nails, and relieve skin from dryness, peeling and cracks.

Get rid of excess weight a cocktail based on butter and kefir helps. The combination of these products allows you to:

• enhance metabolism;
• rid the intestines of toxins;
• clean the vessels;
• remove bad cholesterol.

The remedy is prepared very simply: a glass of 1% kefir is mixed with 1 teaspoon of butter melted in a water bath. In order to give the drink fat-burning properties, you need to add a pinch of red pepper, cinnamon or ground ginger. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed. The cocktail is best taken in the evening, an hour before bedtime. A remedy with ginger will also help out with the onset of a cold, as this plant is an excellent antiseptic.

The role of butter in the nutrition of bodybuilders

Bodybuilders for recruitment muscle mass should include in your diet not only protein food but also enough fat. Butter in the body of an athlete performs very important functions:

• contribute to the formation of cell membranes;
• are the most powerful source of energy for the breakdown of proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

But even during the period of enhanced training, the proportion of fat in the amount of calories consumed per day should not exceed 15-20%.

Therefore, bodybuilders during the period of gaining muscle mass are allowed no more than 50 g of butter per day. Since this dosage is almost 2 times higher than the norm of consumption of the product recommended by nutritionists for healthy person, you can not abuse the oil longer than a month. Otherwise, problems with the cardiovascular system cannot be avoided.

What else do you need to know about butter?

In order for butter to bring maximum benefit, and not harm health, it is necessary to dispel some myths about this product.

Butter with a fat content below 82% is not real?

To understand which oil is more useful, you need to understand technological stages its production:

1. First, cream is separated from cow's milk, the fat content of which is about 35%.
2. Then, using a separator, the liquid (buttermilk) is separated from the cream.
3. Depending on the concentration of the remaining liquid, cream of different fat content is obtained at the output: from 72.5% to 82.5%.

Therefore, the fat content of high-quality butter depends only on the moisture content. Another question is that butter today is the most forged dairy product. Unscrupulous manufacturers in pursuit of cost reduction often replace natural milk fat palm or coconut, which are used for the production of spread and margarine. The statistics of expert checks is as follows: the lower the percentage of fat content indicated by the manufacturer on the package, the more likely it is that the oil contains foreign additives.

Is it possible to use butter with high cholesterol?

Natural butter is more than 40% monounsaturated oleic acid (omega-9), which:

• reduces the level of low-density lipoproteins ("bad" cholesterol) and increases the level of high-density lipoproteins ("good" cholesterol);
• lowers total cholesterol levels;
• slows down the development of cardiovascular diseases;
• has antioxidant properties;
• involved in the construction of cell membranes.

That is why butter should not be completely excluded from the diet, even if the level of cholesterol in the blood is elevated.

But the product should not be abused due to its high calorie content. At the risk of developing atherosclerosis, the consumption rate of butter should be reduced to 5 mg per day.

How does butter affect blood pressure?

Traditional domestic medicine classifies all products containing animal fats as potentially dangerous for hypertension. This statement is true if you do not comply with the norm of their consumption. The minimum (no more than 5 g per day) amount of butter for hypertensive patients should be left in their diet, if only because it contains fat-soluble vitamin K2, which cleanses blood vessels from crystallized calcium. Such a dose of a dairy product will not have a significant effect on blood pressure, but it will help maintain the heart and blood vessels in a healthy state.

Can butter be poisoned?

The oil belongs to perishable products. Therefore, it is quite possible to get poisoned with a high-quality dairy product if it is stored incorrectly. More than 70% of the oil consists of fatty acids, which, when oxidized, can form toxic peroxides, aldehydes and acids.

Ways of infection or poisoning:

• purchase of a stitched product;
• improper storage or transportation conditions;
• packaging damage;
• purchase of a product "from hands" from individuals.

Signs of bad oil:

• a bright yellow edge on the surface indicates an intensive reproduction of bacteria (it is better to refuse to use such a product, in extreme cases it is necessary to cut off the top layer with a thickness of at least 1 cm, and melt the remaining mass well);
• violation of the packaging is fraught with the reproduction of toxic mold (such a product can no longer be saved, it must be disposed of immediately).

In the artisanal production of oil, there is a high probability of contamination with bacteria of the genus Salmonella, which causes a serious infectious disease, salmonellosis. Unfortunately, in this case the quality of the product "by eye" can not be determined. Therefore, you should not take risks and purchase oil of dubious origin.

Butter VS vegetable oil: which oil is healthier?

Many people think that vegetable oil is more beneficial because it does not contain cholesterol. But human body Cholesterol in reasonable amounts is necessary for the construction of new cells. In addition, butter contains more than 40% oleic acid, which lowers cholesterol levels.

The body needs both vegetable and animal fats, but the measure is important in everything - the calorie content of both products is very high. Vegetable oils, at least slightly, but exceed butter in their calorie content.

Both animal and herbal product better to use in pure form and do not subject to heat treatment - when frying, any oil not only loses all its value, but also turns into poison. If you choose the lesser of two evils, then you should opt for refined olive oil. The fact is that its smoke point, at which the product breaks down and turns into a carcinogen, is much higher than that of creamy - 240 versus 160 degrees.

Is it possible to use butter after a caesarean section?

The first 3 days after a caesarean section, the diet of a newly-made mother is strictly limited and is aimed at restoring intestinal motility after surgery. During this period, lean broths, cereals, vegetable purees, boiled or steamed pureed meat, stewed fish, compotes, fruit drinks, kissels, yogurts and low-fat cottage cheese. From the second week after the operation, when the body recovers, you can proceed to common table. The menu is complemented by eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetable and butter.

Delicious and healthy recipes with butter

Most often, butter is used for sandwiches or added to cereals and side dishes. But there are several interesting recipes, which will allow you to look at familiar product in a new way.

Pate for sandwiches with cheese, herring and carrots

To prepare a snack that tastes like red caviar, you will need:

• 1 medium-sized herring fillet;
• 150 g butter;
• 2 processed cheese;
• 3 boiled carrots.

All ingredients are ground in a meat grinder and thoroughly mixed until smooth. You can store a delicious mass in the refrigerator for no more than 5 days. The pate is perfect for sandwiches, stuffing eggs or vegetables.

Handmade sweets

It's no secret that factory-made sweets contain a lot of harmful chemical ingredients. Tasty and healthy treat, reminiscent of the taste of Snickers bars, you can cook yourself from natural products.

• 300 g of powdered milk;
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder;
• 30 g of melted butter;
• 50 ml low-fat cream;
• 400 g of any nuts;
• 1 cup of sugar.

1. Add sugar and cocoa to the cream, mix thoroughly.
2. Over low heat, stirring constantly, bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
3. IN hot mix add peeled nuts and butter.
4. While stirring, carefully add the dry milk.
5. Knead the resulting thick mixture with your hands.
6. Sprinkle the bottom of a wide but shallow dish with milk powder.
7. From tight sweet mass roll into small balls with a diameter of up to 5 cm and put on a prepared dish.
8. Place the finished sweets in the refrigerator for 2 hours so that the delicacy freezes a little.

Butter Beauty Recipes

Regular consumption of butter has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair, teeth and nails. But on the basis of this product, you can cook nourishing masks for outdoor use.

Anti-dandruff hair mask

The product will eliminate itching, moisturize dry ends of the hair and relieve dandruff. To prepare it, you need only three ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon soft butter;
• 1 teaspoon of liquid honey;
• 1 teaspoon olive oil.

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
2. Apply to the scalp at the roots and ends of the hair.
3. Hide your hair under a shower cap, wrap it with a thick towel on top.
4. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with shampoo.

The anti-dandruff mask can be applied no more than 2 times a week. The course of treatment is 1 month.

Face and hand masks

Beauticians recommend using nourishing masks based on butter for dry sensitive skin. In enhanced nutrition and hydration, such skin especially needs in the cold season. During this period, oily masks can be done every other day, up to three times a week.

The easiest way to use the oil externally is to let it melt a little at room temperature and apply a thick layer on the face and hands, leave for 20 minutes, and then wash off with a mild cleanser.

Anti wrinkle mask for the skin around the eyes

1. Lightly melt 2 teaspoons of butter in a water bath.
2. Mix until smooth with the same amount of liquid honey.
3. Apply a thin layer on the skin around the eyes for 10 minutes.
4. After a specified period of time, rinse with warm water.

Nourishing mask with cottage cheese and cucumber

1. Grind 2 tablespoons of medium-fat cottage cheese with the same amount of softened butter.
2. Add a fifth of the cucumber, chopped on a fine grater and mix until smooth.
3. Apply a thick layer on the face and leave for half an hour until the curd dries.
4. Rinse carefully with warm water.

Acne Purifying Mask

1. 3 tablespoons finely ground oatmeal pour two tablespoons of warm cream and leave for half an hour until the flakes swell.
2. After 30 minutes, add 2 pinches of crushed rye bran, 3 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 teaspoon of liquid honey to the cereal.
3. Apply the mask on the skin of the face and keep for 15 minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water.

Means to apply 2 times a week for a month. Then take a break for a month, if necessary, repeat the treatment course.

An award-winning chef at food festivals and owner of the Tertulia restaurant in New York. And the subject of their meeting and discussion was the creation of a menu in which more nutritious foods and at the same time such ambiguous - according to nutritionists - products as butter are included.

Should we beware of oil and exclude it from the diet? Let's hear the opinions of the doctor and the chef.

– How did the oil get a gloomy image of an extremely harmful product?

Doctor: For a long time, fat was considered one of the main enemies of health, and low-fat diets were strongly encouraged. It all started in the 80s of the twentieth century, when scientists first confirmed that refined fat is unhealthy. especially when processing. But the problem is that not all types of fat are bad for you. However, the stereotypical statement had already been thrown into the minds of people, and then everything spun by itself. Food manufacturers began to replace fats with sugars even in biscuits and snacks. And now we are suffering the consequences of this war on fats in foods: grains and excess sugar lead to obesity much faster than butter and margarine.

Chef: Think, for a long time the role and influence of fats has been oversimplified and misunderstood. As a key reason, let's say that for a long time society's attitude towards fats in foods was determined by what information was available to the public on the harms and benefits of fats. If you look at the food pyramid, it supposedly pushes us towards a diet based on grains, not fats; however latest research indicate that many types of fats are not only harmless to us, but are key components to our health and well-being. Organic butter, obtained from milk from cows that were raised on natural pastures, and not fed with compound feed, is great source correct and healthy fats for us and an excellent source of calories and energy.

But is oil bad for the heart? What about blood cholesterol levels?

Doctor: It all depends on the type of fat. There are fats that are harmful and should be avoided at all costs. Trans fats, for example, lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. But the refined fats found in meats and oils are far less associated with the risk of heart disease. New research indicates that refined carbohydrates carry a far greater risk for heart disease.

Chef: Fat is important for the health of your body: it is necessary to distinguish between harmful and beneficial cholesterol / cholesterol. The ratio of these healthy and unhealthy fats plays a key role in general well-being. The increase in bad fats in the body is associated with the consumption of trans fats, margarine, excess carbohydrates, and high sugar content in your food.

- Oil obtained from grass-fed cows - and what else depends on the vegetation that animals are fed, what else will surprise you?

Doctor: In fact, cows by nature have always eaten grass, this is their natural food! They should graze under the sun in the fresh air, and not eat soy and corn (not to mention GMO cereals). The change in the natural nutrition of cows has led to an increase in the number of diseases in these animals and, as a result, to the growing use of antibiotics. Derived from the milk of grass-fed cows rather than dietary supplements and GMO soy and corn, butter is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K2, which is responsible for bone and heart health; vitamin A (thyroid gland and heart health) and CLA (responsible for reducing belly fat and increasing muscle mass).

Chef: The gastric system in cows is such that they gradually absorb from plants those microelements and nutrients that are simply not able to be absorbed by humans. All cows should be raised on grassy pastures. In fact, all animals included in the food chain in one way or another should be raised and fed as close to natural food sources as possible. We have invaded the natural food cycle, we are feeding them GMO soy, processed cereals, driving them into toxic environments and feeding them with antibiotics continuously - and this leads to the fact that the products obtained from such animals carry more harm than good.

– What about skimmed milk and reduced-fat foods??

Doctor: There is a meal that is as close as possible to what nature intended it to be. What constitutes our main problem is the way we prepare our modern food: we fry it, stew it, reduce the nutrient content and generally process it in every possible way. The fewer processing procedures for most products, the better. Forget about skimmed milk or products with artificial fat removal. Eat avocados, use olive or coconut oil in your cooking, consume nuts, organic butter, and meat.

Chief: In my opinion, the use of low-fat yogurt, purified milk or butter substitutes is self-deception, since it is not fat that makes us fat, but sugar and substitutes. But there are a lot of sugar and substitutes in such low-fat products.

– What else do we know about fats that is actually not true?

Doctor: People are catastrophically afraid of getting fat. They forget how important proper metabolism is, how important it is to properly absorb minerals, how important it is for fertility, reproductive health, healthy nails, skin and hair, how important it is for strong memory - the list goes on. We must not forget that vitamins A, D, E and K are dependent and absorbed only in the presence of fats, otherwise nothing. Even if you drink vitamin D tablets, you need to eat some meat with enough fat for this vitamin to be absorbed.

Chef: Counting calories eaten and expended is a misguided simplification of how our body actually works in terms of metabolism and weight gain. Eating fat does not mean that you will turn into a fat trust. A carefully trimmed steak doesn't guarantee you won't add extra pounds at the end of the week. But reducing the amount of soda consumed per day, rolls and snacks will definitely help to reduce weight. Gaining excess weight is pretty tightly linked to the level of insulin and how it is produced in your body. Foods that cause blood sugar levels (determined by the glycemic index) to spike and cause obesity. Olive oil, avocados and organic butter cannot harm you because they do not increase the glycemic index; on the contrary, they allow your body to convert fats into energy.