When eaten in large amounts, saturated fats raise the levels of 'bad' cholesterol in our blood. A high intake of saturated fats increases the risk of developing heart disease.
The daily recommendation for saturated fat is between 10g and 15g - a single serving of butter contains more than 7g.
Margarines aren't made from animal fats and so don't contain cholesterol. They are also higher in 'good' fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
However, not all margarines are created equal; some contain unhealthy trans-fats.
When eaten in large amounts, trans-fats increase the levels of 'bad' cholesterol in our blood in a similar way to saturated fats. Furthermore, trans-fats lower the levels of 'good' cholesterol.
Trans-fats are formed when hydrogen is added to vegetable oils to solidify it.
