What Is the Difference Between Butter and Ghee?

• What Is It?
  • What is ghee?
  • What is butter?
• Benefits
  • What are the health benefits of ghee?
• Benefits
  • What are the health benefits of butter?
• Risks
  • What are the potential risks of ghee and butter?

The difference between butter and ghee is listed below.

The difference between butter and ghee chart

Difference	Ghee	Butter
Burning point	Higher (485°F)	Lower (350°F)
Lactose-free	Yes	No
Fat concentration	Slightly higher	Slightly lower
Dairy proteins	Slightly lower	Slightly higher
Nutrients	Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin K Vitamin E	Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Calcium

Ghee is clarified butter commonly used in Indian and Pakistani cuisines. It is made from butter obtained from cow or buffalo milk. Cow milk butter is heated on low heat until water evaporates, leaving behind milk solids. The solids are skimmed or strained if needed. The remnant is clarified liquid fat known as ghee.

Ghee has a higher burning point, making it favorable for frying and sautéing. Unlike butter, ghee retains most of the nutrients because it is treated with low heat (usually less than 100°).

100 grams of ghee consists of the following. (See the below chart)

Nutrition of 100 grams of ghee information chart

Name	Amount	Unit
Water	0.24	gram
Energy	876	Kcal
Total lipid (fat)	99.48	gram
Protein	0.28	gram
Calcium, Ca	4	Mg
Phosphorus, P	3	Mg
Potassium, K	5	Mg
Sodium, Na	2	Mg
Zinc, Zn	0.01	Mg
Copper, Cu	0.001	Mg
Thiamin	0.001	Mg
Riboflavin	0.005	Mg
Niacin	0.003	Mg
Vitamin B6	0.001	Mg
Choline, total	22.3	Mg
Vitamin B12	0.01	µg
Vitamin A, RAE	840	µg
Retinol	824	µg
Carotene, beta	193	µg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	2.8	Mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	8.6	µg
Fatty acids, total saturated	61.924	gram
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	28.732	gram
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	3.694	gram
Cholesterol	256	Mg

Butter is a dairy product made from proteins and fats found in milk and cream. Butter is made at home by churning milk or cream to separate fat globules from the buttermilk. Sometimes, salt and food colors may also be added to butter. One tablespoon of unsalted butter consists of the following.

Nutrition of one tablespoon of unsalted butter information chart

Name	Amount	Unit	Percent DV
Energy	100	kcal
Protein	0	gram
Total lipid (fat)	11	gram	17
Carbohydrate, by the difference	0	gram
Sodium, Na	1.96	Mg
Vitamin A, IU	400	IU	8
Fatty acids, total saturated	7	gram	36
Fatty acids, total trans	0	gram
Cholesterol	30	mg	10

According to research, ghee has innumerable benefits because of the way it is cooked. Some of the benefits of ghee when consumed in moderation include

• Used as an emollient for chapped lips and skin
• Soothes inflammation within the body (gastric ulcers)
• May help reduce excess weight gain (by inducing satiety)
• Protects the heart and can help reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels if taken in minimal amounts
• Beneficial for lactose-intolerant people
• Aids healthy digestion
• Used as a solvent for many ayurvedic medications (Indian alternative medication) used in the treatment of diseases

Butter, if consumed in moderation, can be a healthy part of a person’s diet because of the presence of calcium and compounds that combat obesity. Some of the benefits of butter when consumed in moderation include

• Reduces the risk of cancer (because of the presence of beta-carotene in butter)
• Slows the rate of vision loss or age-related macular degeneration
• Strengthens the bones
• Makes the skin healthier

Butter and ghee, if consumed in moderation, are healthy. However, if consumed in excess, they can lead to weight gain and obesity. Both ghee and butter should be consumed with caution by people with heart diseases.