Calories In Butter

Butter is a dairy product. It is made by churning milk or from fermented milk. It is dense, and the color usually varies from white to pale yellow, depending on the animal or food color added if it is manufactured commercially. It is used as a spread or as a condiment, and it is also an important ingredient while baking. Butter has been a part of man’s diet for centuries.

• Usually butter will contain about 85% of fat and 15% of water. Calories in butter are 36.
• Fat content is 4.1 g.
• Sodium is 28.8 mg.

* This information is for a pat of butter that is approximately 1/6 ounces.

Nutritional details of butter indicate that it is high in saturated fats. Salted butter also contains a substantial amount of sodium and should be avoided by patients with high blood pressure. Calcium, phosphorous and potassium are some of the nutrients in butter. Butter also contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are considered as good fats for the body. Butter contains no dietary fiber or carbohydrates.

Calories In A Cup Of Butter

As mentioned earlier, butter is high in saturated fat. It is also high in cholesterol and should be consumed with care, especially for patients with a history of high blood pressure and heart problems. Here is some information about the calories in a cup of butter:

• How much does 1 cup of butter weigh (in ounce/grams/kg)? Typically one cup of butter should weigh about 227 grams/7.99 ounces/0.23 kg.
• Calories in one cup of butter are about 1628. Of these calories, 1618 come from fat.
• Protein = 1.9 grams
• Dietary fiber = 0 grams
• Sodium = 1307 mg (unsalted butter will have significantly lesser amount of sodium)
• Total fat = 184 grams
• Saturated fat = 117 grams
• Omega 3 fatty acids = 715 mg

Calories In A Tablespoon Of Butter

Butter enhances the taste of food and is more often than not associated with rich, comfort food. However, it helps to be aware of the nutritional content of butter so that we know what we are feeding ourselves. In case of heart trouble or high blood pressure, we can take corrective measures and limit the amount of butter we consume in a day. Listed below is nutritional information for one tablespoon of butter:

• How much does 1 cup of butter weigh (in ounce/grams/kg)? One tablespoon of butter would weigh about 14 grams/0.49 ounces/0.01 kg.
• Calories in one tablespoon of butter are about 100. All of these calories are due to the fat content of butter.
• Protein = 0.1 grams
• Dietary fiber = 0 grams
• Sodium = 80.6 mg (unsalted butter will have significantly lesser amount of sodium)
• Total fat = 11.4 grams
• Saturated fat = 7.2 grams
• Omega 3 fatty acids = 44.1 mg

Properties Of Butter And Its Health Benefits

In recent times due to its high fat content and its proposed dangers to heart and blood, pressure patients, butter has been restricted in most diets. However, butter had in moderation, especially organic butter, can provide the body with some needed nutrients. However, since it is rich, the quantity eaten on a daily basis should be strictly moderated. Health benefits of butter include a healthy amount of vitamin A as well as traces as good minerals for the body such as phosphorous, potassium and calcium. Vitamin A is important for good eye health, and it is also an antioxidant. Butter also contains omega 3 fatty acids that are good for proper functioning of the brain. Eaten in moderation, butter can definitely benefit our bodies and provide us with important vitamins and minerals.

Side Effects Of Butter

Side effects of butter are numerous and dangerous. Butter is mostly made up of saturated fat. Add to this a mix of cholesterol and sodium (for salted butter). This combination is unhealthy and dangerous if consumed on a regular basis in large quantities. Frequently eating butter can clog up arteries, thus leading to heart problems. High amounts of cholesterol also spell danger for people with existing heart diseases. Sodium can add to the woes of high blood pressure patients. Research has shown time and again that consuming large amounts of butter can lead to serious health issues in the long run.

Tips On Butter Intake

Here are a few tips for butter intake:

• The recommended quantity of butter intake depends from individual to individual and the health of each person. A couple of tablespoons of butter a day (about 200 calories) is ideal for a healthy, fit person.
• When to consume butter again depends on your lifestyle and healthiness.
• Healthy ways to eat butter would be in moderation, no matter how you consume it. Keeping a strict eye on quantity is a must.
• Quality of butter eaten is important, organic butter has slightly more benefits than the commercially produced butter.

Storage tips for butter would be to keep it refrigerated and to consume it within the time specified on the label.