The Latest Spread on Margarine
The Debate Is Over:
Margarine Ahead of Butter in Health Race
A new report issued in June 1999 documents that the amount of total fat, saturated fat and trans fat contributed to the American diet by margarine has been dramatically reduced. The “Margarine Nutrient Consumption Trends” report is based on data verified by ACNielsen, one of the country’s leading market research firms, and confirms the positive changes in the margarine category. The consumption of total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat from margarine products has been significantly reduced over the past decade -- so that 40 percent less fat, 37 percent less saturated fat, and 59 percent less trans fat are being consumed today.
Eleven recent studies that directly evaluate the health effects of margarine versus butter have all confirmed that margarine is the healthier tablespread. These 11 studies, published over the past three years and involving more than 70,000 individuals, clearly demonstrate the cholesterol-lowering benefits of margarine products compared to butter.
On the health front, the American Heart Association (AHA), the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and NHLBI’s National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) have recently confirmed their recommendation to choose margarine products instead of butter. Health professionals recommend substituting margarine products -- including vegetable oil spreads -- for butter as one of the simplest ways people can improve their diets to become more heart-healthy.
“By substituting a margarine product for butter over a week’s time, you can save yourself a whole day’s worth of saturated fat,” says Sue Taylor, M.S., R.D., director of nutrition communications for the National Association of Margarine Manufacturers (NAMM).
“The margarine industry has made great strides in making its products even more heart-healthy and is leading the effort to reduce total fat, saturated fat and trans fat in the American diet,” adds Taylor. Taylor also notes that margarine’s contribution of trans fat is minuscule. “Recent research indicates that trans fat represents only 2.6 percent of the average daily diet (5.3 grams per day) from all sources. Of that, today’s margarine contributes less than one gram of trans fat -- a mere eight calories, which is insignificant in a typical 2,000 calorie diet,” she says.
Home: Margarine vs Butter
Research Confirms Margarine for Heart Health
Margarine Compared with Butter - Facts and Figures
The Latest Spread: Margarine News Including Cholesterol Benefits
FAQ's About Margarine
Margarine Resources
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Copyright © 2006 National Association of Margarine Manufacturers.
