Butter has been a culinary staple for centuries. It’s a rich, calorie-dense food that provided essential fats and energy, especially in colder climates where plant-based oils were scarce. It also has a long shelf life (when stored properly) and is versatile in cooking and baking. Plus, let’s face it, it makes a lot of things taste better.

A new study conducted by researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard explo

A large new study following mortality data over 30 years makes the case for consuming olive oil, canola oil, and soybean oil instead of butter.

"Butter is often associated with unhealthier dietary patterns, while plant-based oils are more commonly linked to healthier patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and plant-based diets," an editorial co-written by Dr. Young-Moon Mark Park, an assistant professor of epidemiology with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said.

A new study found that a person’s risk of death becomes lower when plant-based oils are used compared to high butter intake. Dr. Darien Sutton explains.

Medical expert Dr. Payal Kohli says consuming any type of butter or oil in excess is unhealthy. She recommends eliminating ultra-processed foods from your diet.

For decades, researchers have studied the effects of different fats on human health. While the dangers of trans fats are well known, the debate over butter and plant-based oils continues. Many studies highlight that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats benefits heart health.