Plant-based eating has grown in popularity due to its benefits for health, the environment, and animal welfare (1, 2, 3, 4).
From milk alternatives to vegan cheese, numerous plant-based products are on the market, including plant-based butter.
Plant-based butter, also referred to as vegan butter, is a nondairy butter substitute thats typically made by combining water with a plant-derived oil, such as olive, avocado, coconut, palm kernel oil, or a combination of oils.
These products often contain additional ingredients, such as salt, emulsifiers, colorings, and natural or artificial flavors, to more closely resemble the taste and texture of real butter.
While it may seem similar to margarine, the main difference is that margarines may still contain small amounts of dairy, whereas plant-based butters are free of animal products (5).
As more plant-based butter products become available, you may wonder whether theyre healthy.
This article reviews the nutrition content of plant-based butters, their potential benefits and downsides, and how they compare to real butter.
Given that theyre primarily made from plant-derived oils, plant-based butters are generally high in calories and fat.
Earth Balance is one of the original and more popular brands of vegan butter. One tablespoon (14 grams) of the brands Vegan Buttery Sticks provides (6):
Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are made from a blend of palm fruit, canola, soybean, flax, and olive oils and also contain salt, natural flavor, soy protein, soy lecithin, lactic acid, and annatto extract (for color) (6).
Its important to note that the nutrition content, particularly the fatty acid composition, of plant-based butter can vary, depending on the types of oils and additives used.
Most plant-based butters are high in calories and total fat. The types of fats found in vegan butters can vary depending on the ingredients in each product.
As plant-based butters are made from plant-derived oils and free of animal products, using these products may have some benefits for your health and the environment.
Monounsaturated fats are a type of unsaturated fat that has just one double bond in their chemical structure. Theyre often found in plant-derived oils and nuts (7).
Diets high in monounsaturated fats have been linked to benefits for heart health, blood sugar control, and body weight (7, 8, 9).
In fact, several studies have found that replacing monounsaturated fats with saturated fats in the diet is linked to a reduced risk of obesity and heart disease (10, 11, 12, 13).
As several vegetable-derived oils are rich sources of monounsaturated fats, such as olive and avocado oil, plant-based butter tends to be higher in monounsaturated fats than traditional dairy butter (6, 14).
Compared with regular butter, plant-based butters are generally lower in saturated fat (6, 14).
Despite common recommendations, research hasnt found a significant link between saturated fat intake and the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease or stroke (15, 16, 17).
However, studies have shown that saturated fat can increase risk factors for heart disease, including LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, the LDL (bad) to HDL (good) cholesterol ratio, and levels of a protein called apolipoprotein B (apoB) (18, 19).
Theres also concern that a high saturated fat intake may increase markers of inflammation, which is linked to an increased risk of several chronic diseases. Still, more research is needed (20, 21, 22, 23).
In contrast, plant-based diets have been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and chronic inflammation (24, 25, 26, 27).
While more research is needed on the role of saturated fat on overall health, its worth noting that some plant-derived oils, such as coconut and palm oil, are rich sources of saturated fat.
As a result, some plant-based butters may contain higher amounts of saturated fat than others.
A reduced intake of animal products and the adoption of a more plant-based eating pattern has been associated with benefits for the environment, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and land and water usage (4).
One review of 63 studies found that switching from a traditional Western diet to a sustainable, plant-based eating pattern could result in a 2030% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and land use (4).
However, palm oil, which is mainly obtained from the Elaeis guineensis tree thats grown in West and Southwest Africa and found in several plant-based butters, is controversial.
Increased demand for the oil has been shown to have several negative consequences for the environment, including deforestation and the loss of wildlife diversity (28, 29).
Still, organizations like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) are committed to finding ways to make palm oil production more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
If youre concerned about the environmental impacts of palm oil, be sure to look for products that are free of palm or palm kernel oil.
As many products are designed to have a flavor and mouthfeel similar to those of regular butter, plant-based butters can be a convenient vegan substitute on toast and when cooking.
They can also be a good butter alternative for individuals who are lactose-intolerant or have an allergy to dairy. As these products are vegan, theyre also suitable for those with an allergy to egg, fish, or shellfish.
However, its important to note that butter plays an essential role in the final texture and taste of baked goods and pastries due to its water content and unique chemical properties.
Fortunately, there are plant-based butters that have been manufactured to have similar effects in baking. If you plan on substituting vegan butter for regular butter in recipes, be sure to research which brand or product will work best.
Plant-based butters are often lower in saturated fat and higher in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, compared with regular butter. Depending on the product, vegan butters can be a convenient substitute when cooking and baking.
When buying plant-based butter, its also important to consider any potential downsides, such as the quality of ingredients, omega-6 content, and price.
As is the case with other plant-based alternatives like oat milk or vegan cheese, some products are more highly processed than others.
Observational studies have shown that diets high in processed foods tend to be lower in important nutrients and may increase your risk of obesity and heart disease (30, 31, 32).
When shopping for plant-based butters, look for products that are low in highly refined oils and free of artificial additives, such as preservatives, colorings, and flavors.
Furthermore, as plant-based butters dont provide substantial amounts of essential nutrients, its important to still use these products in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
In addition to containing monounsaturated fats, many of the vegetable oils used in vegan butter products are high in polyunsaturated fats specifically omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega-6s and omega-3s are two types of polyunsaturated fats that your body cant make on its own. As a result, you have to obtain them through your diet.
While both types of fat are important, diets that are high in omega-6s but low in omega-3s have been shown to increase levels of inflammation (33, 34).
Research has found vegetable oils to be one of the main contributors of omega-6 intake in the diet (35, 36).
Therefore, to help encourage a balance of these essential fats, make sure to also include plant-based sources of omega-3s, such as chia seeds, flax seeds, and sea algae oil, regularly in your diet (37, 38, 39).
If you arent strictly vegan, fatty fish like salmon and sardines are also excellent sources of omega-3s (37).
Another potential downside of plant-based butter is that it may be more expensive than regular butter.
While some brands are more competitively priced, others can be nearly twice the price of regular butter. Additionally, some brands may be more difficult to find than others.
Therefore, depending on your location and budget, your options for plant-based butter products may be limited.
While plant-based butter is a good option for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance, they may still contain other possible allergens.
In particular, these butters may contain soy, tree nuts, or gluten.
For example, Miyokos Kitchen Cultured Vegan Butter isnt suitable for those who are allergic to tree nuts, as its made with cashews.
If you have a food allergy, its important to check the ingredient list for possible allergens.
Plant-based butters are often high in omega-6 fatty acids, and some may be more highly processed than others. Additionally, certain brands can be more expensive and difficult to find. Some also contain food allergens.
Plant-based butters are similar to regular butter in terms of their calorie and total fat contents.
Heres a nutrient comparison of 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of unsalted butter and the same serving of Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks (6, 14):
Butter is also a good source of vitamin A, with 1 tablespoon (14 grams) providing 11% of the Daily Value (DV) (14).
Nutritionally, the major differences between plant-based and regular butter are that plant-based butters are cholesterol-free, generally lower in saturated fat, and higher in healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (6, 14).
Still, while plant-based butters contain a healthier fatty acid profile, theyre just as calorie-dense as regular butter. As a result, eating too much of either can result in excessive calorie intake and potentially weight gain over time.
Additionally plant-based butters may be higher in sodium than unsalted butter, depending on the brand.
Overall, plant-based butters generally provide healthier types of fats. However, as they shouldnt be a primary source of calories in your diet, choosing plant-based over regular butter alone is unlikely to significantly affect your health.
Furthermore, many plant-based butter products are more highly processed and contain refined oils that may be inflammatory. Contrarily, butter is often made from just cream and salt.
Therefore, depending on the product you choose, butter may be the less processed option. Of course, that doesnt mean that there arent healthier plant-based butter choices. Look for products with fewer processed oils and artificial additives.
Additionally, its important to consider what you plan on using the butter for, as the taste and texture of plant-based butters may not always be able to fully replicate those of regular butter.
While there are pros and cons to each, both plant-based and regular butter are calorie-dense foods that should be used in moderation along with an overall healthy diet.
While Earth Balance is one of the original vegan butter substitute brands, its far from the only option at the grocery store.
Here are some common plant-based butter brands you can find in stores or online:
There are plenty of plant-based butter brands available.
While plant-based butters are a convenient way to mimic the taste and texture of butter on your toast or in cooking, there are other more nutritious vegan alternatives as well.
For example, mashed avocado is rich in several essential vitamins and minerals and provides a creamy texture on sandwiches and toast. It can also be used as a butter substitute when making certain chocolate baked goods like brownies (40).
When baking and cooking, try one of these healthier alternatives:
For use as a spread on toast or sandwiches, try one of these plant-based ingredients:
In addition to vegan butter products, there are other less processed, more nutritious plant-based butter alternatives to incorporate into your meals and baked goods.
Plant-based butter is a vegan alternative to regular dairy butter.
In general, plant-based butter products are lower in saturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fat than regular butter. They may also be better for the environment.
However, some brands are more highly processed than others. As a result, its important to choose products that contain fewer refined oils and artificial additives.
Moreover, some products may be more expensive or difficult to find than regular butter.
Overall, plant-based butter is a calorie-dense food thats low in important nutrients. Therefore, its best to consume these products in moderation and get the bulk of your calories from nutritious, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
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Is Plant-Based Butter Healthy? Nutrition and How It Compares - Healthline
