A major and comprehensive study conducted by several Harvard research centers has shown that replacing butter with vegetable oils, such as olive oil, can reduce the risk of premature mortality.
“We found a 17% lower risk of death when butter was replaced with vegetable oils. That’s a pretty significant effect.”, said the study's lead author, Yu Zhang, in a press release issued by the participating centers.
The results, published on JAMA Internal Medicine and presented to theEPI/ Lifestyle Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, reveal that those who ate more butter had a 15% higher mortality risk than those who ate the least.
Significant impact on mortality prevention
After analyzing the eating habits and health effects of over 200 people over a 30-year period, researchers concluded that a small daily change in diet, such as using olive oil instead of butter, it might have a significant impact on preventing deaths from cancer and other chronic diseases.
While the study authors caution that their sample does not represent the entire American population, they acknowledge that their findings establish a solid guideline for improving public health through very simple dietary changes.
A systematic review It therefore reinforces the recommendation to reduce saturated fats and opt for healthy unsaturated fats..
