Claims that butter causes chronic high cholesterol values have not been substantiated by research — although some studies show that butter consumption causes a small, temporary rise — while other studies have shown that stearic acid, the main component of beef fat, actually lowers cholesterol.59 Margarine, on the other hand, provokes chronic high levels of cholesterol and has been linked to both heart disease and cancer.60 The new soft margarines or tub spreads, while lower in
hydrogenated fats, are
still produced from rancid
vegetable oils and contain many additives.