A recent study conducted by researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has shed light on the health benefits of consuming plant-based oils over butter. The study, which analyzed data from over 200,000 participants followed for more than 30 years, found that a higher intake of plant-based oils such as soybean, canola, and olive oil was associated with lower total, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality. On the other hand, butter intake was linked to an increased risk of total and cancer mortality.
Published in JAMA Internal Medicine and presented at the American Heart Association EPI/Lifestyle Scientific Sessions, the study revealed a significant 17% lower risk of death when participants swapped butter with plant-based oils in their daily diet. This finding underscores the importance of dietary choices in promoting long-term health.
One of the key differences between butter and plant-based oils lies in the types of fatty acids they contain. While butter is rich in saturated fatty acids, plant-based oils are more abundant in unsaturated fatty acids. This distinction plays a crucial role in determining the health effects of these dietary components.
The study, which utilized data from the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, examined participants’ dietary habits and tracked their health outcomes over time. The results indicated that individuals who consumed higher amounts of butter had a 15% higher risk of death, whereas those who consumed more plant-based oils had a 16% lower risk of mortality.
Lead author Yu Zhang emphasized the significant impact of a simple dietary swap, highlighting the potential health benefits of replacing butter with soybean or olive oil. Corresponding author Daniel Wang echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential for preventing a substantial number of deaths from chronic diseases by incorporating more plant-based oils into one’s daily diet.
While the study primarily focused on health professionals, the researchers acknowledge the need for further research to explore the biological mechanisms underlying the observed effects. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of dietary choices in promoting long-term health and reducing the risk of premature death.
For more information on the study, you can access the published article in JAMA Internal Medicine (DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.0205). This groundbreaking research offers valuable insights into the significant health benefits of opting for plant-based oils over butter in everyday cooking and meal preparation.
