When it comes to butter, is a dairy product that contains a large amount of edible fat. Butter manufacturers prepare butter by churning the cream obtained from milk. Butter is obtained in semi-solid form by whipping the cream. The standard proportion between butter and milk is 1:20. The amount of butter obtained in this process varies with the milk quality and fat content. Nowadays, skimmed milk is used in various products and its importance has greatly increased. Butter consists of 1%–2% milk, 16%–17% of water, 80%–82% of milk fat, and perhaps about 1%–2% of salt which is added directly to it. Butter also contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D, and E, and proteins. Lactones, diacetyl, methyl ketones, dimethyl sulfide, and fatty acids are the components that add flavor to the butter. Butter without salt is considered sweet butter.
Butter as an Antioxidant
The presence of carotene in natural butter is a source of important nutrients for human beings. Carotene is a component that benefits various parts of the body. It further promotes cell regrowth and repairs that further protects the body from various infections. With the addition of vitamin A which is fat-soluble and it is found in ample quantity in butter. It is further absorbed in the body which benefits the skin, eyes, mouth, throat, and urinary and digestive tracts. Butter improves cell regrowth and renovation, and it further enhances immunity by encouraging lymphocyte production.
Health Benefits
If consumed in moderate quantities, butter becomes essential for healthy living. It contains vitamin A and D which are required for the proper development of the brain and nervous system, the skeleton, and many physiological processes. Moreover, butter helps in the proper functioning of many other body parts.
- Vision: In butter, Beta-carotene is found in ample quantity. This is a nutrient that is required for healthy vision and it further protects the eye. Beta-carotene lowers the risk of angina pectoris. Also, the risk of macular degeneration is also reduced.
- Bone: Butter contains calcium and other minerals such as copper, zinc, selenium, and manganese. These are the crucial elements in building and maintaining bone strength, further it aids in bone repair and growth. Due to scarcity of necessary minerals, premature aging of bones, arthritis, and osteoporosis can occur.
- Thyroid Gland: The thyroid gland is a major endocrine gland and it is a crucial linkage in the metabolism of vitamin A. People with thyroid disorders have low vitamin A levels and butter provides sufficient vitamin A consuming butter in adequate quantity will help to aid thyroid issues.
- Heart: If the butter is processed naturally and is taken in moderate quantity, it becomes good for health. Butter fats have high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol which is considered good cholesterol. The omega-3 fatty acids are present in butter which further reduces the level of omega-6 fatty acids and it further reduces the risk of heart disease.
Role in Obesity
There are many butter exporters from India and butter manufacturers that provide the best quality butter that is rich in CLA. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid that is found richly in butter made from grass-fed cows. CLA is considered a good health supplement for an individual. It reduces the total body fat content and can further reduce the risk of obesity. According to a study, CLA helps to reduce body fat mass in humans and it concluded that an intake of 3.4 grams of CLA per day for continuous 12 weeks is capable of lowering the fat content of the body appreciably in obese humans. If not taken in a moderate manner, the fat deposition in the body due to excessive usage of butter and other fat-rich milk products promotes weight gain and thereby obesity.