For years we've been warned against indulging in butter, however, a new study has found it isn’t actually all that bad for us, and more importantly does not raise the risk of heart disease.

The kitchen favourite is still very much a “middle-of-the-road” food, nutritionally speaking – it’s better than sugar, but worse than olive oil, however the new report, adds weight to claims that the "demonising" of the dairy product, and push towards a low-fat-diet was misguided.

Scientists have discovered eating one tablespoon of butter a day had little impact on overall mortality, no significant link with cardiovascular disease and strokes – and could even have a small effect in reducing the risk of diabetes.

Researchers from Tufts University in Boston analysed the results of nine studies published since 2005 from 15 countries, including the U.S., U.K. and Europe.

Results were based on nearly 640,000 adults with an average age of between 44 and 71 years old. And the new study concluded that consuming butter is not linked to a higher risk for heart disease and might be slightly protective against type 2 diabetes, which pushes back against the longstanding advice to avoid butter because it contains saturated fat.

While it doesn’t suddenly declare butter a health food, study author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts in Boston explains, “it doesn’t seem to be hugely harmful or beneficial.”

Tufts research found a daily serving of butter – 14g or roughly one tablespoon – was associated with a 1 per cent higher risk of death. A smaller sample of results indicated a daily serving of butter was associated with a 4 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes - although researchers said this needed further investigation. The findings follows reports that the U.K. government is reconsidering its advice to restrict saturated fat intake to limit the risk of heart disease, after two recent studies also found no link.

Senior author Dr Dariush Mozaffarian clarified: "Our results suggest that butter should neither be demonised nor considered 'back' as a route to good health."

While butter shouldn’t be left off the menu completely, it should be eaten in moderation. Oils rich in healthy fats such as soybean, canola, flaxseed, and extra virgin olive oils should make up a larger part of your diet.

Fat is just one element of our diet and to protect heart health a balanced Mediterranean style diet rich in fruit, vegetables and pulses is recommended by the British Heart Foundation.

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