To test my idea about the unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio being important for cardiovascular health, I wanted to focus in on this study. This study, unlike other ones I’ve cited, directly compares oil to oil. It tests butter versus olive oil in diabetes patients.
So there you have it, butter substantially reduces flow-mediated dilation (FMD), while olive oil is generally neutral.
If you calculate the unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio for the two meals used in the study, you get:
- Butter 0.5:1
- Olive Oil 5.8:1
Very different ratios, and very different results on vascular health.