If an extraterrestrial being were to visit Earth and rely solely on social media to understand human dietary habits, they might be led astray by conflicting information. They could come across posts advocating for butter consumption with every meal, while demonizing seed oils. However, a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine sheds light on the truth behind these claims.
The study compared the health effects of butter versus plant oils by analyzing data from three large studies that followed over 200,000 adults for approximately 33 years. The results showed that individuals who consumed the most butter had a 15% higher risk of mortality compared to those who consumed the least, while those who consumed the most plant oils had a 16% lower risk of mortality.
When looking at specific plant oils, the researchers found significant associations between canola, soybean, and olive oils and reduced mortality risk. For every 5-gram increase in canola oil consumption, there was a 15% reduction in mortality risk, while soybean oil was associated with a 6% reduction, and olive oil with an 8% reduction.
Furthermore, the study revealed that substituting 10 grams of butter per day with an equivalent amount of plant-based oils was linked to a 17% reduction in total mortality, a 17% reduction in cancer mortality, and a 6% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
It is important to note that while these findings suggest the health benefits of plant oils over butter, moderation is key. Consuming excessive amounts of any food, including oils, can have negative consequences on health.
In conclusion, if the hypothetical alien were to base their dietary choices on this study, they would be wise to opt for plant oils over butter. The next time they peruse social media for Earthly dietary advice, they should be sure to filter out the misinformation and rely on scientific evidence instead.
