Evidence supporting the use of: Margarine
For the health condition: Cardiovascular Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Margarine has been promoted as a healthier alternative to butter for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, primarily due to its lower content of saturated fats and, in many formulations, the inclusion of plant sterols or stanols that can help lower LDL cholesterol. Scientific studies have shown that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats (especially polyunsaturated fats) can reduce cardiovascular risk. Some margarines are specifically formulated with these healthful fats and may include added plant sterols, which have been demonstrated in clinical trials to lower LDL cholesterol by 5-15%. This provides a biologically plausible mechanism for cardiovascular benefit.
However, the historical use of partially hydrogenated oils in margarine introduced trans fats, which have a well-established association with increased CVD risk. In response, most modern margarines have been reformulated to eliminate trans fats and increase unsaturated fat content. Overall, while meta-analyses and dietary guidelines support replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats for cardiovascular health, the evidence for margarine as a category is mixed and depends on its specific fat composition. Therefore, the strength of evidence is moderate (3/5), and the cardiovascular benefits pertain mostly to newer, trans-fat-free, unsaturated-fat-rich margarines, not all margarine products.
Other ingredients used for Cardiovascular Disease
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)acai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
ajoene
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
astaxanthin
astragalus
basil
beet
berry flavor
bilberry
black garlic
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
capsaicinoids
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cryptoxanthin
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethanol
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
krill oil
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-citrulline
l-glycine
l-taurine
lactobacillus reuteri
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
motherwort
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nattokinase
nicotinamide riboside
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
pineapple
plant sterols
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
potassium
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
raspberry
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rutin
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
sterols
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
vitamin K
watermelon
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
gastrodia
capsicum
commiphora
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
yerba mate
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Alcohol
Arjuna
Animal Tissue
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Ardisia
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Adrenergic amines
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Asteracea
Alpha phytosterol
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Acer Truncatum bunge
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Argan nut oil
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Butylphthalide
Bidens pilosa
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Brutieridin
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Betanin
berry
Brazil nut
boysenberry
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
banana
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Chia seed
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Carnosine
Calycosin
Camelina Oil
Cashew
Cyanidin
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Chocolate
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Coumaric acid
Crocetin
Currant
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Delphinidin
Date
Digitalis
Diosmetin
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
Ellagic Acid
Eriocitrin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Ergothioneine
Emblicanin
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Ellagitannin
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Garlic
Glycine
Isoflavones
peanut
Pistachio
Soy Protein
walnut
Zucchini