You get fat-soluble vitamins
You may be wondering what exactly fat-soluble vitamins are. Vitamins that are fat-soluble are absorbed through fat and stored in the body, meaning they stick around longer than water-soluble vitamins that usually leave the body through the kidneys (via University of Michigan Health).
We need both fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins in a balanced diet. Too much of fat-soluble vitamins can be toxic, while too much of specific water-soluble vitamins can also cause health issues. So how can you get your fat-soluble vitamins from food? Butter is a source of fat-soluble vitamins A or retinol, vitamin K, and vitamin E.
“Butter is America’s best source of these important nutrients. In fact, vitamin A is more easily absorbed and utilized from butter than from other sources,” according to the The Weston A. Price Foundation. “Fortunately, these fat-soluble vitamins are relatively stable and survive the pasteurization process.”
The Weston A. Price Foundation adds that many people, specifically infants and growing children, benefit from having a higher-fat diet than a lower-fat diet.
You help prevent tooth decay
It may seem unlikely that a soft, rich and tasty spread like butter could have an impact on your teeth. But experts say that butter can actually help strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay.
The B12 in butter is considered a “periodontal disease-fighting vitamin” that can help heal those pesky canker sores and keep your gums healthy. In fact, gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis in the worst cases can develop if you don’t get enough vitamin B (via Burlingame Dental Arts). These diseases can cause tooth decay or even tooth loss.
This isn’t a new finding. The potential dental perks of butter dates all the way back to the 1940s when researchers found that Vitamin K2 prevents tooth decay (via Don’t Waste the Crumbs). But you shouldn’t stop your oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing to prevent tooth decay. Dentists at Burlingame Dental Arts also suggest opting for unsalted butter to keep other health issues related to sodium intake like cholesterol at bay.
You might lower your risk for cancer
Skeptical of a stick of butter and how it relates to potential anti-cancer properties? Butter is high in beta carotene, which could lower the risk of lung and prostate cancer (via WebMD). And grass-fed butter may be a solid option for upping your beta carotene intake. The founder of Bulletproof coffee tells the Kitchn that “one tablespoon of grass-fed butter has more beta carotenes than a bunch of carrots.”
However, the research continues on butter’s nutritional value and the connection with cancers. Among other health benefits, the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found in butter has also been linked to reducing breast, colon, colorectal, liver, prostate, and stomach cancers (via Healthline).
The Weston A. Price Foundation adds that the research on CLA levels is specific to pasture-fed cows, saying that it (CLA) disappears when cows are fed hay or feed. Stick with grass-fed butter to maximize this benefit.
Source: Healthdigest.com