Does Butter Raise Cholesterol? What It Does to Your LDL
If you love butter but recently found out that your LDL cholesterol is high, you may be wondering whether you need to give it up. Eggs were once blamed heavily for high cholesterol, but newer research suggests they're not as problematic for most people as once believed. So, does the same apply to butter?
Not exactly.
Butter is high in saturated fat, and eating too much saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol. That doesn't mean having butter once will suddenly send your cholesterol soaring. What matters more is how much you eat, how often you eat it, and—just as importantly—what you replace it with.
Wondering how eggs compare? Read this first:
👉 Are Eggs Bad for Cholesterol? Here's What the Latest Research Says
Understanding the difference between eggs and butter can make it much easier to see why dietary cholesterol and saturated fat aren't the same thing.
Does Butter Really Raise LDL Cholesterol?
The main issue with butter is its saturated fat content.
Eating too much saturated fat can increase LDL, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Over time, elevated LDL can contribute to cholesterol buildup in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis, which increases cardiovascular risk.
Research supports this connection. In a randomized crossover trial comparing butter with olive oil, butter increased both total and LDL cholesterol more than olive oil.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing different dietary fats also found that replacing butter with several unsaturated plant oils, including olive and canola oil, generally produced more favorable LDL cholesterol levels.
In other words, what you replace butter with matters almost as much as whether you eat butter in the first place.
Why Are Butter and Eggs Different When It Comes to Cholesterol?
As we discussed in our previous article, the main concern with eggs has traditionally been dietary cholesterol.
With butter, the bigger issue is saturated fat.
Eating cholesterol in food doesn't mean that the same amount automatically ends up as LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. Saturated fat, however, has a more consistent relationship with increased LDL cholesterol.
That's why it's not quite accurate to think, "If eggs are okay, butter must be okay too."
They're nutritionally different foods.
This is also why I find it more useful to look beyond whether a food is simply "good" or "bad." A better approach is to ask which nutrients it provides, how often you're eating it, and what you could replace it with.
Do You Need to Stop Eating Butter Completely?
Not necessarily.
For most people, a healthy eating pattern doesn't require completely banning one particular food. Your overall diet matters more.
There's a big difference between occasionally spreading a small amount of butter on toast and regularly cooking with generous amounts of butter while also eating cheese, bacon, processed meats, and other foods high in saturated fat.
If lowering LDL cholesterol is your goal, a more practical approach is to reduce how often you use butter and replace some of it with foods rich in unsaturated fats, such as olive or canola oil.
Current American Heart Association dietary guidance recommends choosing sources of unsaturated fat, including non-tropical liquid plant oils, instead of foods high in saturated fat such as butter and fatty meats.
How Careful Should You Be With Butter If Your LDL Is High?
There's no single number of grams of butter per day that's right for everyone.
That's because butter isn't your only source of saturated fat. Cheese, fatty meats, desserts, baked goods, and other foods can all contribute to your total daily intake.
You may need to pay closer attention to saturated fat if you:
Have persistently high LDL cholesterol
Have a history of heart attack, angina, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease
Have familial hypercholesterolemia
Have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or other cardiovascular risk factors
Current cholesterol guidelines also emphasize that LDL should be considered alongside your overall cardiovascular risk, rather than judging your health based on one food—or one number—alone.
If your blood test showed high LDL cholesterol, you may also want to read:
👉 What Does High LDL Cholesterol Mean? Causes, Risks, and What to Do Next
What Should You Eat Instead of Butter?
Here's where things get especially important:
What are you replacing the butter with?
Simply cutting out butter and replacing it with highly processed foods loaded with refined carbohydrates or added sugar isn't necessarily an improvement.
A better approach may be to replace some butter used in cooking with olive or canola oil and include other sources of unsaturated fats, such as nuts, seeds, and fish, as part of an overall balanced diet.
So, when it comes to lowering LDL, the goal isn't necessarily "never eat butter again."
A more useful strategy is to replace some saturated fat with unsaturated fat whenever practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will eating a little butter raise my cholesterol?
Eating a small amount of butter once isn't likely to cause a dramatic, immediate rise in LDL cholesterol. Your long-term eating habits and total saturated fat intake matter much more.
Is olive oil better than butter for LDL cholesterol?
Generally, yes. If lowering LDL is the goal, olive oil is typically the better choice because it's rich in unsaturated fats. Research comparing dietary fats has found more favorable blood lipid results when butter is replaced with unsaturated plant oils.
Should I completely avoid butter if my LDL is high?
Not necessarily. Some people may still be able to include small amounts of butter in an otherwise heart-healthy diet. However, if your LDL is high or you have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, it's worth reviewing your total saturated fat intake with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian.
Medical Note
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have high LDL cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, or another medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet.
References
American Heart Association — 2026 Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia
American Heart Association — 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health
American Heart Association — Saturated Fats
Engel S, et al. Butter increased total and LDL cholesterol compared with olive oil. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Schwingshackl L, et al. Effects of oils and solid fats on blood lipids: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of Lipid Research.
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