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Article, All You Need to Know About Margarine

All You Need to Know About Margarine

Blue Band Margarine Spread is a plant-based spread made from soft oils, predominantly
Sunflower, canola, soybean & Palm/Coconut Oils that is not only good for the human body but also good for the planet.

Packed with Omega 3 and 6, micronutrients like Vitamins A and D, Blue Band is low in saturated fats, higher in unsaturated fats, and free from trans-fat compared to the dairy products and does not pose the dangers of high levels of bad cholesterol.

Blue Band aims to debunk all myths surrounding margarine (vegetable oil spread) by answering the most frequently asked questions.
  • Is margarine/margarine spread a natural product?
    Yes, margarine/margarine spreads are made from vegetable oils which makes it plant based and better for the planet and for you.
  • Does margarine/margarine spread melt at normal human body temperature ?
     
    Yes. All margarines/margarine spreads melt at human body temperature. Nevertheless, melting point is not linked to the digestibility of fats. For example, protein does not melt at room temperature and yet we are able to metabolize them in our bodies.
  • Does margarine/margarine spread have trans fats ?
     
    No. All our products are virtually trans-fat free as we do not do any partial hydrogenation in the manufacturing process.
  • Is it true that margarine/margarine spread is one molecule away from plastic?
     
    No, the major ingredients in margarine include fat and water. Chemically, plastic has a completely different molecular structure than the unsaturated and saturated fats present in spreads or butter. Spreads are nutritious and safe and have been part of a healthy diet for years.
  • Does margarine/margarine spread increase total LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol (the good one)?
    No. Studies show that saturated and trans-fat, which are part of butter, can help raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and is a risk factor for heart disease. But the risk is minimal with Blue Band given that we are virtually trans-fat free.
  • Was margarine/margarine spread developed to fatten animals?
     
    No. Margarine was developed over a hundred years ago on a farm in France as a ‘butter alternative’ by a French food research chemist – Mege Mouries to counter ever increasing food shortages in the country. It was developed for people and not for animals.
  • Is it true that butter is better at increasing the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods?
     
    Fat in both margarine/margarine spread and butter (or any fat source) helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A,D,E,K). Blue Band also provides vitamins A and D which are important for good health. Other advantages of Blue Band Margarine over butter is that it is lower in calories, total fat and saturated fat.
  • Why do we need to eat fat?
     

    Fat is also an important part of our diet with the following functions:

    • Gives energy to the body (the recommendation is 30% of the total calories a day comes from fat)
    • A number of fats and oils provide essential fats
    • Fat carries fat-soluble vitamins to be used by the body (vitamins A, D, E and K)
    • Gives satiety after eating
    • Provides a better taste for food
  • Why do children need dietary fats?
    Dietary fats are a fundamental part of a healthy diet. Fats are carriers of fat soluble vitamins, contribute to the feeling of satiety after eating, provide energy, enter in the composition of our body cells and serve to make foods more palatable.
  • What is hydrogenation?
    Hydrogenation is the process by which liquid oils are converted in to firmer fats. This process is well established and used all over the world to enable the use of vegetable oil in producing various products. The process of hydrogenation is similar to the biohydrogenation, which takes place in the digestive system of ruminant animals such as cows.
  • I’ve heard that it’s best to avoid hydrogenated fats. Why is that?
    Only partial hydrogenation leads to the formation of trans-fats which are bad for consumption. However, fully hydrogenated oils hardly contain any trans fats and doesn’t have any health implications. Blue Band does not go through any hydrogenation process hence there is nothing to worry about.
  • What are the trans “fatty acids”?
    Trans fats are the worse fatty acids among the different fatty acids. These are created naturally in the intestine of ruminants such as cowns. Trans fats raise the bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower good (HDL) cholesterol levels making it more negative for proper health.
  • Are saturated fats bad?
    Yes, the saturated fat needs to be limited. WHO recommendation is to restrict energy intake from saturated fats, not more than 10% from the daily energy intake.
  • What are unsaturated fats?
    Unsaturated fat helps to maintain a good LDL cholesterol level if you follow a healthy balanced diet low in saturated fats. There are two main types of unsaturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
  • Why use spreads instead of just the oils?
    Spreads are a source of good fats & contains Vitamins. Spreads also deliver less calories than vegetable oils, hence is a healthier option than oils.
  • Why do they say the oils in margarine/margarine spreads contain no cholesterol?
    Margarine/margarine spreads are made with plant and seed oils which naturally do not contain cholesterol. Butter is fat derived from animals and contains cholesterol.
  • Is it true that margarine increase the risk of cancers?
    That is NOT correct. There are very few established relationships between dietary factors and cancer risks. Good nutrition is what really matters for preventing chronic disease. A healthy balanced diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables is the best way to decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease.
  • Is it true that plant oil spreads lower the quality of breast milk?
    No. Margarine/margarine spreads do not lower the quality of breast milk and there is no scientific background to this information.
  • Is it true that margarine/margarine spreads decrease insulin response and may be harmful for patients at risk of diabetes?
    Margarine/margarine spreads do not decrease insulin response. Dietary recommendations for individuals with diabetes are to follow a healthy eating plan that is low in saturated fat because of their increased risk of developing heart health problems. Individuals should seek advice from their doctor or dietitian regularly to help ensure good blood sugar and insulin control.
 

 

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