James Martin's controversial diet staple given verdict by nutritionist after weight loss
A nutritionist has shared how butter can have more health benefits than people may realise, including potential weight loss.
For many years, health experts have debated the good and bad sides of butter, with some saying the ingredient heightens cholesterol levels, while others say it's a nutritious and flavourful addition to your diet.
Back in 2021, chef James Martin released a book based on all-things butter, which he advises should be enjoyed in moderation. He has also revealed that he still managed to lose weight while consuming it regularly.
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Previously quizzed on the health perspective of the ingredient, he told Love Food: "It’s a British problem.
"In the UK we have this natural obsession with stuff and I don’t know why. Everywhere in the world manages to eat butter in moderation.
"It’s a natural product and I’d rather eat that than whatever vegetable spread is. Do you know what margarine is made from? How do you make a product with so much stabiliser in it and other stuff that shouldn’t be in it? I think I’d rather eat butter all day long, thank you very much."
Speaking to Reach PLC, dietitian-nutritionist Rosa Becerra-Soberon says that it's not just the taste of butter that makes it a much-loved ingredient, but also its health benefits.
"The key, like James advises, is in moderation. Butter is just one ingredient among the many other ingredients that are used in cooking," she shared.
"I tell my clients not to be afraid of using good quality butter, especially grass-fed butter."
Agreeing with James that butter isn't just to be spread on toast, she listed how it could be beneficial in health.
Rosa says:
Butter has butyric acid, which helps to promote the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome and as a result lowers inflammation, improves metabolic rate, improves body composition and lowers triglycerides.
Butter contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid, especially grass-fed butter. [It] promotes weight loss by suppressing appetite and body composition changes: reducing fat percentage as well as CVD and other chronic conditions.
Butter contains fat soluble vitamins A, E, D, and K2. Fat soluble vitamins can only be absorbed with fat.
Butter also has MCT oils which improves body composition by boosting metabolism and also enhances immunity.
Butter provides cholesterol. James mentions a family history of heart disease. Cholesterol from butter, especially grass-fed, is utilised by the body for healthy cellular function.
On the cooking side, Rosa says due to butter's high smoking point, it does not get oxidised, and this makes it ideal for cooking.
"The advantage is that it keeps your cells and DNA healthy," she shared. "Enjoy butter as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle."
"When using butter for cooking , it helps to improve satiety and decreases sweet cravings as well.
"The idea is focusing on the quality of food and real food like butter," Rosa added.