Butter or Margarine? - Exercise Science

A Reaction to Jane Brody 's : Butter or Margarine ? First , Study the Label This article written by Jane Brody is about the dangers of trans-fats and the steps that a consumer can take to avoid consuming unhealthy amounts of these trans-fats . The article begins by directing the attention to the old debate on whether margarine was healthier than butter . It turns out , as Brody points out , that neither butter nor margarine are healthy for the human body . While butter has been said to contain high amounts of saturated fats which raise the level

of bad cholesterol in the body , the supposedly healthier ' alternative margarine posses a greater health risk because the trans-fat , which can be found in the partly hydrogenated oils used in creating margarine , not only raises the level of bad cholesterol within the human body but also reduces the amount of good cholesterol

The article proceeds to substantiate these claims by showing the effects of trans-fats and the related health studies that support the claim trans-fats are more dangerous to the human body than saturated fats . The studies basically show that the levels of trans-fats in the body increase the levels of health risk factors such as triglycerides lipoprotein and C-reactive protein . Other studies to show the correlation between trans-fats and heart disease were also presented to strengthen the main position of the article that trans-fats are not only as harmful to human body as saturated fats are but may be even more harmful

The article closes by recommending to the reader steps by which the consumption of trans-fats in a persons diet can be reduced such as properly reading the food labels (hence the title of article ) and also by eating healthier

The article makes a very interesting point regarding the health risks related to the consumption of trans-fats and provides scientific evidence which is very persuasive at reinforcing the claim that trans-fats are not only as harmful to human body as saturated fats are but may be even more harmful . The facts that are presented are consistent with modern research theories and findings regarding the trans-fats , their effects on the human body and the other potential health risks from continued or increased consumptions of trans-fats

The article is very well structured . The introduction has a very good hook ' that catches the attention of the reader immediately by raising the oft discussed on butter and margarine and is able to draw the attention of the reader to the relevance of the issue . The claim in the article that that trans-fats are not only as harmful to human body as saturated fats are but may be even more harmful is very supported by the scientific references that were used which were also very informative and accurate . The articles on the correlation between levels of trans-fats consumed and heart disease actually presents the majority opinion and findings of other researchers in this field as well

The weak point in the claim however may lie in the assertion that there is a correlation between diabetes risk and trans-fats . Research reveals that there is no scientific data that conclusively shows that such a risk exists . Even the studies that insist that there is a correlation have been found to be inaccurate in their methodologies and in their conclusions

As a whole the article is very well written . The scientific references that were used were very persuasive and the relevant data that was presented to strengthen the claims are accurate . The use of scientific references always makes even the most casual of articles seem authoritative and adds a certain level of impact on the reader . More research has to be done however to ensure that the data that is presented to support the claims are actually accurate and widely credited in scientific circles

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