Author: Karen Lennox
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
In recent years, margarine has entered the diet of Bulgarians en masse and almost completely replaced butter.
In recent decades, margarine has entered the diet of Bulgarians en masse and almost completely replaced butter . The reason for the increased consumption is its good taste, lower price and last but not least active advertising.
However, nutritionists are adamant that margarine should not be on our menu. Their recommendation is based on a number of studies that show how vegetable oil causes severe damage to the human body.
Trans fats are the biggest health hazard . At room temperature, vegetable fats have the property to liquefy and for this reason the method of hydrogenation is widely used - a term in chemistry, which means the process of heating to a high temperature of vegetable oils in the presence of catalysts and water. Trans fats are produced from this process.
Liquid margarines have less trans fat than solid ones. They increase "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and lower "good" (HDL). According to a number of studies on the subject, their high consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer .
Particularly harmful are the so-called. free radicals and other toxic decomposition products formed as a result of the high temperature in the industrial processing of vegetable oil. They are also associated with heart disease and malignancies.
Some synthetic vitamins are added to margarine , which more often have the opposite effect compared to natural vitamins and disturb the hormonal balance in the body. Not to be overlooked are the various types of emulsifiers and preservatives with questionable safety.
The product also contains many substances harmful to our body - hexane and other solvents, dyes, artificial flavors, mono- and diglycerides and sterols. The connection between them and diseases of the cardiovascular system has also been proven many times.
Dietitians warn that it is advisable for children and adolescents to avoid or limit the consumption of margarine. Adults should not use it as a daily and main food, but alternate its consumption with butter.
However, these studies and recommendations should not encourage excessive oil consumption. It is a natural source of vitamin A, but after undergoing heat treatment, it becomes difficult for the body to absorb as it loses its water content. In addition, the oil consists of animal fats, which means that it has a high cholesterol content.
Therefore, it is not recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular disease, liver disease or gallstone disease. Cow's oil also contains a large amount of saturated fats, but they are less than in vegetable oils.
There are harms and benefits to both products and ultimately it is important to consume in moderation, whether we choose margarine or butter, experts advise.