Over the years we have been encouraged to leave the gorgeous natural properties of butter in the dark and reach for the highly processed, oxidised, preservative enriched margarine.
This is a big misconception.
The hint to health is all in the choice of butter, the frequency of use and quantity used.
So why choose butter?
Butter, unlike its enemy counterpart margarine provides us with essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K in their natural forms. Allowing us to absorb and utilise them as the body requires for everyday cellular function.
Butter also contains a category of fatty acids known as glycosphingolipids which help to prevent gastrointestinal infections, especially in children and the elderly. Butter also contains selenium as well as iodine which are utilized by the thyroid gland.
Recent research at Cornell University has found that butter positively contributes to conversion of Transaturated fatty acids to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which acts as a carcinogenesis inhibitor while also improving cholesterol profile and even decrease atherosclerosis and lipid metabolism!
So why make the organic choice?
Organic products (dairy or otherwise) are not exposed to the same chemical cocktail of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides ect the nonorganic products swim in. Research suggests that this chemical exposure can hold a carcinogenic effect which is a clear indication as to why these should be avoided! As we know nonorganic cows are placed under high levels of stress which is passed on to their produce (meat, dairy) which we then consume.
How much is too much butter?
I know when something is beneficial to our health we quickly consume mass amounts in order to gain the most benefit possible… it is important that butter is not treated this way. To gain the most benefit from organic butter it is essential to use SMALL even tiny portions. If placing on bread we want around ¼ – ½ teaspoon of butter on your lightly toasted toast. If you are a bread and butter lover try and use at the most every second day.
This is not an everyday treat.
Even though this amazing product does contain heat-stable and fat-soluble vitamins we do not want to place it under high temperatures so best to use coconut oil for high temp cooking (stir frys, sautéing and even pancake making). Organic butter in baking gives your food an amazing richness just remember the small quantity rule.