Dive Brief:

• A study published in the July 2015 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found moderate intake of butter increased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared with the effects of olive oil and a habitual diet. However, moderate butter intake also increased HDL (good) cholesterol compared with the habitual diet.
• The study authors concluded that people with high cholesterol should consume only a minimum amount of butter, while moderate butter intake may be OK for people without high cholesterol.
• The Danish Dairy Research Foundation funded the study. Studies that contradict the interests of a funder are rare, reports The Washington Post.

Dive Insight:

The health effects of saturated fat, like that found in butter, remain a contentious issue. A controversial meta-analysis paper published in March 2014 found no clear difference between the risk of heart disease or other cardiac events based on levels of saturated fat consumption. This latest study involved only 47 people, and is likely to only add to the controversy, rather than resolve anything.

In 2013 butter U.S. consumption hit its highest level in 40 years, according to the American Butter Institute. Butter sales have increased as consumers move away from margarine containing artificial ingredients and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Also, diet trends such as Paleo support the increased consumption of butter. Land O'Lakes revealed Monday its European Style Butter, which has a higher fat content than traditional butters (82% instead of 80%).