Butter is a food often used on bread, vegetables, and even in many desserts. Unfortunately, it often gets a bad reputation as being high in fat, calories, and sodium. And while it is that these nutrients are found in high amount in butter, the food is not all bad. In fact, research has found that butter is high in a number of healthy nutrients, such as calcium and protein. Before banning this food from your kitchen, consider its many health benefits. You may be surprised by what you read!
Calcium Content
As with other dairy products, butter is a great source of dietary calcium. Calcium is a mineral found in many of the foods that we eat, and is responsible for the promotion and maintenance of strong bones, healthy teeth, and even shiny hair. While getting enough calcium in the diet is often highly recommended for senior citizens, in reality, individuals of any age can benefit from this nutrient. This is especially true for teenage girls. Some research has found that teenage girls who consume calcium on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from broken, fractured, or dislocated bones later in adulthood. In addition, those who do suffer from one of these injuries will likely have a quicker recovery, and will have a lower chance of dying from their injury.
Protein Content
Protein is another important nutrient that the body needs on a regular basis. Fortunately, as butter is made from milk, it has high amounts of dietary protein. Like calcium, protein is important for people of all ages. Young children use protein to support their growing muscles, and older adults rely on adequate protein intake to maintain these muscle stores for as long as possible. Most individuals need approximately one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight each day for maximal results. However, in some cases, more protein may be even better. For example, individuals who have a wound or are healing from a surgery often require greater amounts of dietary protein to aid in the healing process, and to replace small amounts of protein which may have been lost in the blood. These people may be encouraged to consume up to as much as 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.
Calorie Content
While excessive calorie intake is often blamed for weight gain and obesity, taking in an adequate number of calories is essential for the maintenance of one’s body weight. In some cases, individuals who are severely underweight-or who are losing weight at an alarming rate-may be encouraged to take in more calories than they would normally consume. Butter is rich in calories, containing as many as 100 per tablespoon, and therefore is sometimes recommended for individuals requiring rapid weight gain. As with any food product, it is important to remember that moderation is key. While we must eat an adequate number of calories, we must also ensure that we participate in enough physical activity to burn these calories off each day. A metabolic specialist or registered dietitian may be able to provide guidance regarding exactly how many calories you need to support your body weight.