Oils & Fats · Cooking fat
Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Clarified butter (milk fat) · also called Clarified butter, desi ghee
Ghee is butter cooked until the water and milk solids are gone, leaving almost pure milk fat. It is about 62% saturated fat. A small six-week study with no comparison group saw total and LDL cholesterol fall, but a 2025 review found no clear effect on blood fats and a possible small rise in heart disease risk that was not statistically significant. The main cautions are milk allergy and saturated fat.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Ghee is butter cooked until the water and milk solids are gone, leaving almost pure milk fat. It is a cooking fat, not a proven remedy. The research on ghee is small, and its saturated fat content and milk allergy risk are the clearest facts.
What it is
Ghee is clarified butter: butter heated until the water cooks off and the milk solids are removed. It is a long-standing cooking fat in South Asian cooking and has a place in Ayurvedic tradition.
USDA has no item named ghee. The closest is butter oil, anhydrous (FDC 173412), which is milk fat with nearly all water removed. Per 100 g it has 876 kcal, 99.5 g fat (61.9 g saturated, 28.7 g monounsaturated, 3.7 g polyunsaturated), 256 mg cholesterol, 840 mcg vitamin A (RAE), 2.8 mg vitamin E, 8.6 mcg vitamin K and 2 mg sodium. One tablespoon (12.8 g) has about 112 kcal, 7.9 g saturated fat, 33 mg cholesterol and 108 mcg vitamin A. Real ghee varies with the milk and the method.
What the research shows
The ghee studies are few. A 2022 study gave 60 healthy volunteers in India desi cow ghee for six weeks and measured their blood fats before and after. Total and LDL cholesterol fell significantly overall, other measures did not, and there was no comparison group, so it cannot show that ghee caused the change.
A 2025 systematic review pooled 10 studies of ghee and coronary heart disease (19,948 people, mostly from the Indian subcontinent) and found an odds ratio of 1.15 (0.71 to 1.59), not statistically significant. The authors called it a marginal increase in risk. Its lipid analysis of eight studies found no significant effect on the overall blood fat profile.
A 2024 study in 42 people with metabolic syndrome found improvements in several measures when clarified butter was replaced by canola oil. It had no control group and also gave dietary advice, and HDL fell.
Saturated fat in context
Ghee is about 62% saturated fat. The best evidence on saturated fat is not about ghee. A Cochrane review of 15 trials found that cutting saturated fat for at least two years lowered combined cardiovascular events by 21%, with little or no effect on death. A network meta-analysis of 54 trials found that most plant oils lowered LDL more than butter. The American Heart Association advises replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat, especially polyunsaturated fat.
No trial compared ghee with butter or plant oils, so how it would compare is unknown. It is milk fat like butter, so a similar effect is plausible, but that is an inference, not a finding.
Food versus medicated ghee
The results above are for plain ghee or clarified butter eaten as food. Herb-infused (medicated) ghee used in Ayurveda is a different product and was not assessed.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Used as a cooking fat in South Asian cooking
- Valued in Ayurveda as a nourishing food
- Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition
Studied for research
- Blood cholesterol, very-low certainty (small study with no control group; a review found no significant effect)
- Coronary heart disease risk, very-low certainty (observational; central estimate leans toward more risk, not significant)
- Saturated fat swaps, moderate certainty for saturated fat in general, indirect for ghee
- Metabolic syndrome after swapping clarified butter for canola oil, very-low certainty (no control group)
- Vitamins A, E and K content, high certainty for the nutrient amounts
- Bone, joint, gut and immune claims, insufficient evidence
Main compounds
- Saturated fat
- Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat
- Cholesterol
- Vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K
Common forms
- Plain ghee as food (USDA butter oil, anhydrous used as the nearest match)
- Herb-infused (medicated) ghee is a different product and is not covered
Research links: 2022 study: lipid profile before and after ghee · 2025 review: ghee, heart disease and lipids · 2020 Cochrane review: cutting saturated fat · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Ghee (clarified butter)
- Naming authority
- Not a plant or species; a dairy fat
- Common names
- Ghee (English); Clarified butter (English); Desi ghee (English (South Asia)); Mantequilla clarificada (Spanish)
- Family or group
- Dairy fat (animal fat). Milk fat with the water and milk solids removed, as described in the existing summary.
- Native range
- Not verified from a source read.
- Harvest and processing
- The existing summary describes ghee as butter heated until the water cooks off and the milk solids are removed. A fuller account of how ghee is made and of regional types was not read from a source here. The 2022 study used desi cow ghee prepared by the investigators.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Butter; Note: Has water and milk solids; ghee has almost none of either.; Name: Butter oil, anhydrous; Note: The closest USDA item; milk fat with nearly all water removed.; Name: Medicated (herb-infused) ghee; Note: An Ayurvedic preparation; a different product that was not assessed.; Name: Vegetable ghee (vanaspati); Note: A plant-oil product; not milk fat and not covered here.
Photographs
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturated fat | fat | Whole fat USDA butter oil, anhydrous: 61.924 g per 100 g (about 7.9 g per tablespoon) | Raises LDL cholesterol in general, which is why health bodies advise limiting it. 11 4 2 | Human data |
| Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat | fat | Whole fat USDA per 100 g: monounsaturated 28.732 g, polyunsaturated 3.694 g | No ghee-specific activity read. 11 | Nutrient database |
| Cholesterol | sterol | Whole fat USDA per 100 g: 256 mg (about 33 mg per tablespoon) | The 2022 paper says cholesterol in ghee is oxidised on heating; health effect not shown. 11 3 | Nutrient database |
| Vitamin A (retinol from milk fat), vitamin E and vitamin K | vitamins | Whole fat USDA per 100 g: vitamin A 840 mcg RAE, vitamin E 2.8 mg, vitamin K 8.6 mcg | Nutrients; no trial showed a health effect from ghee's content. 11 10 | Nutrient database |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol and saturated fat | Not specified in the sources read | The AHA advisory says replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat lowers LDL cholesterol, which it describes as a cause of atherosclerosis. Ghee was not tested as a separate mechanism. 4 | Human data |
| Heated cholesterol | Not applicable | The 2022 paper states that cholesterol in ghee is oxidised while heating and discusses animal and lab ideas about ghee and cholesterol. These are lab and animal ideas, not shown in people. 3 | Lab/animal |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not found.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The ghee results are for ghee eaten as food. The cholesterol and heart results about saturated fat are for saturated fat in general, and the network analysis compared butter, not ghee. Medicated ghee and supplements were not assessed.
Nutritional composition
Nutrition from USDA FoodData Central, Butter oil, anhydrous (FDC 173412, SR Legacy April 2018), the closest USDA item to ghee because USDA has no item named ghee. Values read 2026-10-26 from the saved project copy of the USDA data, because the USDA page was not opened. Per 100 g: 876 kcal, 99.48 g total fat (61.924 g saturated, 28.732 g monounsaturated, 3.694 g polyunsaturated), 0.28 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate, 256 mg cholesterol, 2 mg sodium, vitamin A 840 mcg RAE, vitamin E 2.8 mg, vitamin K 8.6 mcg. USDA household portion 1 tablespoon = 12.8 g (the 100 g values multiplied by 0.128): about 112 kcal, 12.7 g fat (7.9 g saturated, 3.7 g monounsaturated, 0.5 g polyunsaturated), 33 mg cholesterol, 108 mcg vitamin A RAE, 0.36 mg vitamin E, 1.1 mcg vitamin K, almost no sodium. Real ghee varies with the milk, the method and the batch. A vitamin D value in the file looks unusually high and was left out.
1 high certainty1 moderate certainty3 very low certainty1 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 6 benefits and uses checked for Ghee (Clarified Butter), each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Blood cholesterol and blood fats (ghee eaten as food)Very low certainty
- Coronary heart disease risk (ghee intake in observational studies)Very low certainty
- Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated fat (evidence about saturated fat, not ghee)Moderate certainty
- Metabolic syndrome (replacing clarified butter with canola oil)Very low certainty
- Vitamins A, E and K (nutrient content)High certainty
- Traditional claims (bone, joint, gut health, detox, immunity)Not enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
LDL cholesterolTotal cholesterolInsulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting blood sugar
What is Ghee (Clarified Butter) good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. The ghee studies are small, and the strongest findings are about saturated fat in general, not ghee.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Blood cholesterol and blood fats (ghee eaten as food)
Very low certaintyThe research on ghee and blood cholesterol is small and mixed. One six-week study with no comparison group saw total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol fall. A 2025 review of eight studies found no significant effect on the overall blood fat profile.
2 studiesDesi cow ghee eaten as food in the 2022 study (35 g a day, as the aut…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2022 six-week before-and-after study of 60 healthy volunteers in India, and a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis with a lipid analysis of eight studies.
Results
2022 study: total and LDL cholesterol fell significantly in the group as a whole; other blood fats did not change significantly. 2025 review: neutral to positive effects, no significant effect on the overall lipid profile.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers for the lipid changes in either abstract. Significance only.
Why this rating
The 2022 study had no control group, 60 people and about six weeks, and the ghee was made by the investigators. The 2025 review mixes designs and gave no certainty rating in its abstract. Neither can show that ghee changes cholesterol.
Form and dose studied
Desi cow ghee eaten as food in the 2022 study (35 g a day, as the authors describe it). That is how the study was run, not advice.
Who was studied
Healthy adults in India (2022). Mixed populations, mostly the Indian subcontinent (2025).
Limits
Small, short, no control group. Ghee was not compared with butter or plant oils in these studies.
Why researchers looked
Ghee is about 62% saturated fat, which usually raises LDL. In South Asia it is a daily cooking fat, so people wanted to know what it does to blood fats.
Traditional use
In Ayurveda ghee is called a healthy fat. Tradition is not evidence of an effect on cholesterol.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors of the 2022 study point to animal work and to fatty acids in ghee. These ideas are untested in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Ghee is high in saturated fat; see the Safety tab.
Coronary heart disease risk (ghee intake in observational studies)
Very low certaintyA 2025 review pooled 10 studies and found no statistically clear link between ghee and coronary heart disease, but the central estimate leaned toward more risk, and the authors called it a marginal increase.
1 studiesGhee as food, with different amounts across studies.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2025 meta-analysis of 10 clinical and epidemiological studies with 19,948 participants, including 4,558 cases from the Indian subcontinent.
Results
Pooled odds ratio 1.15, not statistically significant. The authors conclude ghee is associated with a marginally increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Effect sizes as reported
Pooled odds ratio 1.15 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.59).
Why this rating
Observational data mixed with other designs, a wide range that includes no effect and a possible 59% rise, and no certainty rating in the abstract. Other diet and lifestyle differences cannot be ruled out.
Form and dose studied
Ghee as food, with different amounts across studies.
Who was studied
Mostly people from the Indian subcontinent.
Limits
Association, not cause. Only the abstract was read. Study quality was not checked here.
Why researchers looked
Heart disease is common in South Asia and ghee is a major dietary fat there, so the link has been debated.
Traditional use
Ghee is traditionally seen as good for the heart in Ayurveda. This is a traditional belief.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol in general. Whether ghee behaves the same way was not tested in the sources read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the saturated fat entry on the Safety tab.
Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated fat (evidence about saturated fat, not ghee)
Moderate certaintyGhee is mostly saturated fat. Large reviews of trials found that eating less saturated fat, and replacing it with polyunsaturated fat, lowers heart disease events. Trials of ghee itself were not part of these reviews.
3 studiesSaturated fat in general; butter in the network meta-analysis. Ghee w…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2020 Cochrane review of 15 randomised trials (about 59,000 adults), a 2018 network meta-analysis of 54 trials comparing oils and solid fats including butter, and a 2017 American Heart Association advisory.
Results
Cochrane: reducing saturated fat for at least two years cut combined cardiovascular events by 21%, with little or no effect on death. Network meta-analysis: most plant oils lowered LDL by 0.23 to 0.42 mmol/L compared with butter. AHA: replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated oil cut cardiovascular disease by about 30% in trials.
Effect sizes as reported
Cochrane combined events RR 0.79 (0.66 to 0.93); all-cause mortality RR 0.96 (0.90 to 1.03). Network meta-analysis LDL -0.42 to -0.23 mmol/L versus butter.
Why this rating
Cochrane graded the 21% fall in combined events as moderate-quality evidence. It applies to saturated fat in general and to butter in the network analysis. No trial compared ghee with another fat, so it is indirect for ghee.
Form and dose studied
Saturated fat in general; butter in the network meta-analysis. Ghee was not tested.
Who was studied
Adults in long-term and short-term trials.
Limits
Indirect for ghee. The 2020 Cochrane version read was later updated (not read). The Cochrane review was funded by the WHO.
Why researchers looked
Health bodies advise limiting saturated fat, and ghee is a rich source.
Proposed mechanism Human evidence
Replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat lowers LDL cholesterol, which the American Heart Association links to atherosclerosis.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific.
Metabolic syndrome (replacing clarified butter with canola oil)
Very low certaintyIn 42 people with metabolic syndrome who normally ate a lot of clarified butter, swapping it for canola oil for three months went with lower blood sugar, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance, but also with lower HDL ("good") cholesterol. There was no comparison group.
1 studiesClarified butter (3 to 8 servings a day) replaced by an equal amount …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 quasi-experimental study in Urmia, Iran, with 42 adults, before and after.
Results
Significant falls in fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, insulin, HOMA-IR, GGT, fatty liver index and body measurements; QUICKI rose; HDL fell significantly.
Effect sizes as reported
p-values only in the abstract (for example total cholesterol p<0.001, LDL p=0.009, HDL p<0.001).
Why this rating
No control group. People were also told to follow a healthy diet, so the swap cannot be separated from other changes. Small. The study is about clarified butter in Iran, not necessarily ghee made the Indian way.
Form and dose studied
Clarified butter (3 to 8 servings a day) replaced by an equal amount of canola oil. A study design, not advice.
Who was studied
Adults with metabolic syndrome in Iran.
Limits
Before and after only. It shows what happened when clarified butter was replaced, not what ghee does.
Why researchers looked
Clarified butter is high in saturated fat and is eaten daily in some regions. Researchers asked whether a swap to canola oil helps people with metabolic syndrome.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors point to less saturated fat and more unsaturated fat from canola oil. This was not tested as a mechanism.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
HDL fell, which is an unfavourable change.
Vitamins A, E and K (nutrient content)
High certaintyGhee holds small amounts of fat-soluble vitamins. One tablespoon (12.8 g) of the closest USDA item has about 108 mcg of vitamin A (RAE), 0.36 mg of vitamin E and 1.1 mcg of vitamin K. It is a cooking fat first, not a vitamin source.
1 studiesUSDA butter oil, anhydrous used as the nearest match; real ghee was n…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial was read showing that eating ghee corrects a vitamin shortfall.
Results
USDA per 100 g (butter oil, anhydrous): vitamin A 840 mcg RAE, vitamin E 2.8 mg, vitamin K 8.6 mcg. A tablespoon is about 12.8 g, so the portion values are about one eighth of those.
Effect sizes as reported
Per tablespoon (100 g values times 0.128): vitamin A about 108 mcg RAE, vitamin E about 0.36 mg, vitamin K about 1.1 mcg.
Why this rating
High that the closest USDA item contains these amounts. Real ghee varies with the milk, feed and method, and no trial showed a health effect from them.
Form and dose studied
USDA butter oil, anhydrous used as the nearest match; real ghee was not analysed.
Who was studied
General diet.
Limits
Nutrient facts, not trials. Values for home-made or brand ghee may differ.
Why researchers looked
People often describe ghee as rich in vitamins.
Traditional use
Ghee is traditionally called nourishing. That is a tradition, not a measured result.
Proposed mechanism Nutrient database
These are nutrient amounts from USDA tables.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Preformed vitamin A adds to your total from all foods and supplements; see the Safety tab.
Traditional claims (bone, joint, gut health, detox, immunity)
Not enough evidenceGhee is traditionally said to help bones, joints, digestion and immunity, and medicated ghee is used for cleansing in Ayurveda. No human trial showing these effects was read.
1 studiesPlain ghee as food. Herb-infused (medicated) ghee is a different prod…
Studies, doses and limits
Results
No evidence of benefit found in the sources read.
Why this rating
No human studies of these outcomes were found in the sources read.
Form and dose studied
Plain ghee as food. Herb-infused (medicated) ghee is a different product and was not assessed.
Limits
Absence of evidence in the sources read is not proof it does nothing. A search was not exhaustive.
Why researchers looked
Ayurvedic texts describe ghee as healing and nourishing.
Traditional use
Ayurvedic tradition values ghee. Tradition is not proof that it works.
Proposed mechanism Traditional
No tested mechanism for these claims was read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not replace medical care with ghee.
Connections to the rest of health
How Ghee (Clarified Butter) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol Balance | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Blood cholesterol and blood fats (ghee eaten as food): The research on ghee and blood cholesterol is small and mixed. One six-week study with no comparison group saw total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol fall. A 2025 review of eight studies found no significant effect on the overall blood fat profile. | 3 1 |
| Heart Health | Very low certainty | Coronary heart disease risk (ghee intake in observational studies): A 2025 review pooled 10 studies and found no statistically clear link between ghee and coronary heart disease, but the central estimate leaned toward more risk, and the authors called it a marginal increase. | 1 | |
| Heart Health | Moderate certainty | Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated fat (evidence about saturated fat, not ghee): Ghee is mostly saturated fat. Large reviews of trials found that eating less saturated fat, and replacing it with polyunsaturated fat, lowers heart disease events. Trials of ghee itself were not part of these reviews. | 2 5 4 | |
| Cholesterol Balance | Moderate certainty | Swapping saturated fat for unsaturated fat (evidence about saturated fat, not ghee): Ghee is mostly saturated fat. Large reviews of trials found that eating less saturated fat, and replacing it with polyunsaturated fat, lowers heart disease events. Trials of ghee itself were not part of these reviews. | 2 5 4 | |
| Healthy Weight Metabolism | Very low certainty | Metabolic syndrome (replacing clarified butter with canola oil): In 42 people with metabolic syndrome who normally ate a lot of clarified butter, swapping it for canola oil for three months went with lower blood sugar, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance, but also with lower HDL ("good") cholesterol. There was no comparison group. | 6 | |
| Preventive Wellness | High certainty | Vitamins A, E and K (nutrient content): Ghee holds small amounts of fat-soluble vitamins. One tablespoon (12.8 g) of the closest USDA item has about 108 mcg of vitamin A (RAE), 0.36 mg of vitamin E and 1.1 mcg of vitamin K. It is a cooking fat first, not a vitamin source. | 11 | |
| Gut Digestive Health | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Traditional claims (bone, joint, gut health, detox, immunity): Ghee is traditionally said to help bones, joints, digestion and immunity, and medicated ghee is used for cleansing in Ayurveda. No human trial showing these effects was read. | 1 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Blood cholesterol and blood fats (ghee eaten as food) Studied for: Coronary heart disease risk (ghee intake in observational studies) | 3 1 2 5 4 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Metabolic syndrome (replacing clarified butter with canola oil) | 6 |
| Immune System | Biological association | High certainty | Studied for: Vitamins A, E and K (nutrient content) | 11 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Traditional claims (bone, joint, gut health, detox, immunity) | 1 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk allergy | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | FARE lists ghee among milk-containing ingredients to avoid. Preparation or compound: Ghee as food |
8 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | Preliminary | Fell in one uncontrolled six-week study; a 2025 review found no significant overall effect on blood fats. Preparation or compound: Ghee as food |
3 1 | |
| LDL cholesterol | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 3 5 |
| Total cholesterol | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 3 1 |
| Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting blood sugar | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Mixed: fell in one uncontrolled study; butter raised LDL more than plant oils in a network meta-analysis. | 3 5 |
| Saturated fat | Preliminary mechanism | Nutrient database | About 62% of ghee's weight by USDA's nearest item. | 11 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturated fat | Biological association | Human | Raises LDL cholesterol in general, which is why health bodies advise limiting it. Preparation or compound: Whole fat |
11 4 2 |
| Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat | Biological association | Nutrient database | No ghee-specific activity read. Preparation or compound: Whole fat |
11 |
| Cholesterol | Biological association | Nutrient database | The 2022 paper says cholesterol in ghee is oxidised on heating; health effect not shown. Preparation or compound: Whole fat |
11 3 |
| Vitamin A (retinol from milk fat), vitamin E and vitamin K | Biological association | Nutrient database | Nutrients; no trial showed a health effect from ghee's content. Preparation or compound: Whole fat |
11 10 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Ghee (Clarified Butter). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing ghee summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central data, read the NHS, FARE and CDC pages, and re-read PubMed abstracts for the reviews and studies. Only abstracts were read for most studies; the 2022 ghee study was also read in full. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
Study library: every study we checked 11
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aulesa 2025 Ghee's health benefits on cardiovascular health and lipid profile: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis Progress in Nutrition 27(3) · Source · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
Meta-analysis of ghee and coronary heart disease: 10 clinical and epidemiological studies, 19,948 participants, 4,558 cases from the Indian subcontinent. Lipid meta-analysis: 8 studies. | Ghee (clarified butter) eaten as food Ghee as food Various · vs Lower or no ghee intake |
Ghee intake and coronary heart disease: pooled odds ratio 1.15, not significant. The authors still describe ghee as associated with a marginally increased CHD risk. Eight studies on blood fats: neutral to positive effects, no significant effect on the overall lipid profile. Pooled odds ratio 1.15 (random effects) (0.71 to 1.59) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Coronary heart disease risk; blood lipid profile Limitations: Abstract read only. Mixes clinical and epidemiological designs and the cases are from the Indian subcontinent. No certainty rating (GRADE) in the abstract. Published in a small journal; the abstract states 18 studies were included in the meta-analyses. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract (journal page) |
| Hooper 2020 Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 32428300 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
15 randomised trials (about 59,000 adults), at least 24 months | Advice or food provision to reduce saturated fat Saturated fat in general (not ghee) At least 2 years · vs Usual or higher saturated fat |
Reducing saturated fat lowered combined cardiovascular events by 21% (moderate-quality evidence). Little or no effect on all-cause or cardiovascular death. Small falls in total and LDL cholesterol. Replacement with polyunsaturated fat or carbohydrate seemed useful; replacement with monounsaturated fat was unclear. Combined cardiovascular events RR 0.79; all-cause mortality RR 0.96; cardiovascular mortality RR 0.95 (Events 0.66 to 0.93; all-cause 0.90 to 1.03; cardiovascular mortality 0.80 to 1.12) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cardiovascular events, deaths, blood fats Limitations: This is about saturated fat in general, not ghee. A later update of this review exists (pub3, August 2020) and was not read. Trials varied in design. Funding and conflicts: Funded by a grant from the World Health Organization; one author is a member of a WHO advisory group. Read: abstract |
| Munisekhar 2022 Lipid profile in healthy human volunteers before and after consuming ghee. Bioinformation · PMID 37426499 · DOI |
Uncontrolled before after |
60 60 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 60 in Tirupati, India, on a vegetarian diet (37 with normal blood fats, 23 with abnormal blood fats) |
Desi cow ghee prepared by the investigators Ghee as food 35 g a day (as described by the authors) 6 weeks |
Total cholesterol and LDL fell significantly in all 60 people together. Other blood fats changed in the expected direction but not significantly. In the 37 people with normal blood fats nothing changed significantly. In the 23 with abnormal blood fats, total cholesterol and LDL fell significantly. No effect sizes in the abstract; significance only (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Fasting blood fats before and after Limitations: No control group, short, small, healthy young people on a vegetarian diet, ghee made by the investigators. It cannot show ghee caused the change. The authors conclude cow ghee is not harmful; a study like this cannot prove that. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the text read. Trial registered (CTRI/2020/06/026556). Registration: CTRI/2020/06/026556 Read: abstract + full text (methods and discussion) |
| Sacks 2017 Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation · PMID 28620111 · DOI |
Guideline review |
Review of trials and observational studies of dietary fats | Saturated fat replaced by unsaturated fats Saturated fat in general (not ghee) Various · vs Various |
Trials that replaced saturated fat with polyunsaturated vegetable oil reduced cardiovascular disease by about 30%. Replacing saturated fat with refined carbohydrates and sugars did not lower rates. The advisory concludes that lowering saturated fat and replacing it with unsaturated fats, especially polyunsaturated, will lower cardiovascular disease. About 30% fewer events in the trials of polyunsaturated replacement (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cardiovascular disease Limitations: An expert advisory, not a new trial. About saturated fat in general, not ghee. An erratum was published in 2017. Funding and conflicts: American Heart Association conflict-of-interest process described; no details in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Schwingshackl 2018 Effects of oils and solid fats on blood lipids: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Lipid Res · PMID 30006369 · DOI |
Systematic review network meta analysis |
54 randomised trials (3 weeks or longer) comparing oils and solid fats, including butter | Oils and solid fats (safflower, sunflower, rapeseed, hempseed, flaxseed, corn, olive, soybean, palm, coconut oil, lard, beef fat and butter). Ghee was not included. Butter (not ghee) and other fats 10% isocaloric exchange (model) At least 3 weeks · vs Other fats |
Most plant oils, and beef fat, lowered LDL by 0.23 to 0.42 mmol/L compared with butter. The authors say the findings support replacing high saturated-fat foods with unsaturated oils. LDL -0.42 to -0.23 mmol/l versus butter (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: LDL, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides Limitations: Ghee was not one of the fats compared. Butter is the closest, but it is not ghee. The authors note limitations in the data. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract |
| Sedgi 2024 The impact of substituting clarified butter with canola oil on the components of metabolic syndrome, fatty liver index, and insulin resistance among individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome: a quasi-experimental study. J Diabetes Metab Disord · PMID 39610540 · DOI |
Quasi experimental before after |
42 42 people with metabolic syndrome in Urmia, Iran, who usually ate clarified butter (3 to 8 servings a day) |
Swap clarified butter for the same amount of canola oil, plus advice to follow a healthy diet Clarified butter replaced by canola oil Equivalent amount 3 months |
After the swap: fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, body measurements, total cholesterol, LDL, GGT, fatty liver index, insulin and HOMA-IR fell significantly; QUICKI rose; HDL ("good" cholesterol) fell significantly. p-values only in the abstract (e.g. total cholesterol p<0.001, LDL p=0.009) (Not given) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Metabolic syndrome components, fatty liver index, insulin resistance Limitations: No control group, and people were also told to follow a healthy diet, so the swap cannot be separated from other changes. It is canola oil versus clarified butter, not ghee versus another fat. Clarified butter in Iran may differ from ghee in India. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract |
| s-cdc-rawmilk CDC: Raw milk · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-fare-milk FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education): Milk allergy · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-nhs-satfat NHS: Eat less saturated fat · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-nhs-vitamin-a NHS: Vitamin A · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-173412 USDA FoodData Central: Butter oil, anhydrous (FDC 173412), SR Legacy April 2018 · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No trial compared ghee with butter, olive oil or another fat on LDL cholesterol.
- The ghee studies read are small and short; the 2022 study had no control group, and only the abstract of the 2025 review was read.
- Lactose content, safe storage times, home-made ghee safety, contaminants and the smoke point of ghee were not researched.
- Ghee in pregnancy, breastfeeding and for children was not covered by any source read.
- Medicated (herb-infused) ghee and Ayurvedic cleansing use were not assessed.
- The history and making of ghee were not read from a source.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 2
LDL cholesterol
Mixed results in trials
The 'bad' cholesterol carried in the blood. Higher levels are linked to more heart disease.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is the usual blood marker for heart risk in diet studies.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
The ghee result is from an uncontrolled study. The butter comparison suggests a milk fat raises LDL more than plant oils, which is indirect for ghee.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | LDL fell significantly in all 60 volunteers and in the 23 with abnormal blood fats; no significant change in the 37 with normal blood fats (no numbers in the abstract) | 60 healthy volunteers in India | Cow ghee, 35 g a day for 6 weeks, no control group |
| 5 | Most plant oils lowered LDL by 0.23 to 0.42 mmol/L compared with butter | 54 randomised trials | Oils and solid fats compared; butter, not ghee |
Total cholesterol
Mixed results in trials
All the cholesterol carried in the blood, including LDL and HDL.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A common blood test used in diet studies.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Mixed and from weak designs.
Safety implication
None specific.
Other 1
Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting blood sugar
Lowered in trials
HOMA-IR is a calculation from fasting blood sugar and insulin that estimates how well the body responds to insulin.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used in metabolic syndrome and diabetes research.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Describes a swap away from clarified butter, not an effect of ghee.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Fasting blood sugar, insulin and HOMA-IR fell significantly after replacing clarified butter with canola oil (p-values only; QUICKI rose) | 42 adults with metabolic syndrome in Iran | Clarified butter replaced by canola oil for 3 months, no control group |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Milk allergy: ghee is on the avoid list. FARE lists ghee, butter, butter fat and butter oil among the milk-containing ingredients to avoid if you have a milk allergy, and says people with milk allergy should keep an epinephrine device with them at all times. Some sellers say ghee is safe for dairy allergy because the milk solids are removed. No allergy-authority source read says that. If you have a diagnosed milk allergy, ask your allergist before eating ghee. Authoritative guidance 8
- Very high in saturated fat. One tablespoon (12.8 g) of the closest USDA item has about 7.9 g of saturated fat, which is about 40% of the 20 g Daily Value, and about 112 kcal. The NHS lists ghee among foods high in saturated fat and says lots of saturated fat can raise cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. If you have high cholesterol or heart disease, ask your clinician or dietitian how it fits your diet. Authoritative guidance 11 9
- Vitamin A adds to your total. Ghee contains preformed vitamin A. The NHS says long-term intake above about 1,500 micrograms a day from food and supplements may affect bones, and that pregnant women should avoid liver and liver products. Ordinary use of ghee gives a small part of that (about 108 micrograms RAE per tablespoon by USDA), but it counts together with other foods and supplements. Authoritative guidance 10 11
Side effects 2
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction in people with milk allergy, from hives and swelling to anaphylaxis FARE lists ghee as a milk-containing ingredient to avoid. No ghee-specific reaction data were read. | Not given in the source | can be severe Not described. | Authoritative guidance 8 |
| Raised LDL cholesterol (expected with high saturated fat; ghee itself not shown in controlled trials) Butter, not ghee, was compared in the network meta-analysis. The one small ghee study saw LDL fall, with no control group. | Not applicable | mild to moderate (blood marker) Not described. | Indirect evidence 5 2 |
Liver
No liver injury from ghee as food was found in the sources read. A liver-safety source (such as LiverTox) was not searched for ghee.
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Ghee (Clarified Butter) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol-lowering and heart medicines prescription | No direct interaction was found. Diet high in saturated fat works against the aim of these medicines. | No source read describes a direct interaction between ghee as food and any medicine. | None found Not enough evidence | Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about your diet if you take cholesterol or heart medicines. |
Who should check first 4
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed milk allergy | Ask your allergist before eating ghee. FARE lists it as an ingredient to avoid. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips or throat, use epinephrine if prescribed and call 911 or your local emergency number. | Authoritative guidance 8 |
| High cholesterol or heart disease | Ask your clinician or dietitian how much saturated fat suits you. The NHS gives 30 g (men) and 20 g (women) a day as upper limits for saturated fat in the UK. | Authoritative guidance 9 4 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | No source read gives ghee-specific advice. The NHS advises pregnant women to avoid liver and liver products because of vitamin A; ghee is not named. Ask your midwife or doctor. | Authoritative guidance 10 |
| Babies and young children | No ghee-specific source was read. Ask a health visitor or paediatrician about fats in a child's diet. | Gap |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity from ghee as ordinary food was found in the sources read. The safety points are milk allergy, saturated fat and vitamin A in total.
Animal. Not reviewed.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Contamination, adulteration and shelf life of ghee were not researched. The 2022 paper notes that cholesterol in ghee is oxidised on heating; its effect on health was not measured.
Raw-milk products. CDC says raw milk products can carry germs such as Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli and are riskier for young children, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems. CDC does not mention ghee, and no source read says how ghee made from raw-milk butter compares. 7
Heated cholesterol. The 2022 ghee paper states that cholesterol in ghee is oxidised while heating. It did not measure this and the effect on health in people was not shown. 3
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) (United States) | Milk allergy: ghee and butter fat are listed among milk-containing ingredients to avoid; keep an epinephrine device with you. source | Not read |
| NHS (UK) (United Kingdom) | Eat less saturated fat: lists ghee among foods high in saturated fat; maximum 30 g a day for men and 20 g for women. source | Not read |
| NHS (UK) (United Kingdom) | Vitamin A: more than about 1,500 micrograms a day over many years may affect bones; pregnant women should avoid liver and liver products. source | Not read |
| CDC (United States) | Raw milk: can carry Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella; higher risk for young children, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems. Ghee not mentioned. source | Not read |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat, widespread hives, repeated vomiting, dizziness or collapse after eating ghee or any milk product (possible anaphylaxis): use epinephrine if prescribed, then call 911 or your local emergency number
- Chest pain, pressure or shortness of breath at any time: seek urgent medical help (not caused by ghee in particular)
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is ghee?
Ghee is clarified butter. Butter is heated until the water cooks off and the milk solids are removed, leaving almost pure milk fat. It is a traditional cooking fat in South Asia.
How much saturated fat is in ghee?
Does ghee lower cholesterol?
Is ghee bad for the heart?
Unclear. A 2025 pooled analysis of 10 studies found an odds ratio of 1.15 (0.71 to 1.59) for coronary heart disease, not statistically significant, and the authors called it a marginal increase. Studies like these show links, not cause.
Is ghee healthier than butter?
Is ghee safe if I have a milk allergy?
FARE lists ghee among the milk-containing ingredients to avoid. Some sellers say it is safe because the milk solids are removed, but no allergy authority read says that. Ask your allergist.
Is ghee lactose-free?
No source read states how much lactose ghee holds, so no claim is made. Lactose intolerance is different from milk allergy; ask your doctor or dietitian.
Does ghee have vitamins?
A tablespoon of the closest USDA item has about 108 mcg of vitamin A (RAE), 0.36 mg of vitamin E and 1.1 mcg of vitamin K. No trial showed a health effect from these amounts.
Is ghee safe in pregnancy?
Does ghee heal joints, bones or the gut?
No human trial showing this was read. These claims come from Ayurvedic tradition.
Is ghee better than canola oil for people with metabolic syndrome?
A 2024 study of 42 people found improvements in several measures when clarified butter was replaced by canola oil, but HDL fell and there was no control group. It does not show that ghee itself is harmful.
Does heating ghee make its cholesterol harmful?
A 2022 paper states that cholesterol in ghee is oxidised on heating but did not measure it, and no effect on health in people was shown.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing ghee summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central data, read the NHS, FARE and CDC pages, and re-read PubMed abstracts for the reviews and studies. Only abstracts were read for most studies; the 2022 ghee study was also read in full. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. The 2022 ghee study used ghee made by its own investigators; the Cochrane review was funded by the World Health Organization.
Sources 11
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Aulesa C, Fernandez E. Ghee's health benefits on cardiovascular health and lipid profile: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Progress in Nutrition 27(3). 2025. DOI 10.23751/pn.v27i3.16889. (abstract (journal page))
- Hooper L, Martin N, Jimoh OF, Kirk C, Foster E, Abdelhamid AS. Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020. PMID 32428300. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD011737.pub2. (abstract)
- Munisekhar K, Singh M SB, Rao PS, Sitaram B, et al.. Lipid profile in healthy human volunteers before and after consuming ghee.. Bioinformation. 2022. PMID 37426499. DOI 10.6026/97320630018742. (abstract + full text (methods and discussion))
- Sacks FM, Lichtenstein AH, Wu JHY, Appel LJ, et al.. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association.. Circulation. 2017. PMID 28620111. DOI 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510. (abstract)
- Schwingshackl L, Bogensberger B, Bencic A, Knuppel S, Boeing H, Hoffmann G. Effects of oils and solid fats on blood lipids: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.. J Lipid Res. 2018. PMID 30006369. DOI 10.1194/jlr.P085522. (abstract)
- Sedgi FM, Hosseiniazar MM, Alizadeh M. The impact of substituting clarified butter with canola oil on the components of metabolic syndrome, fatty liver index, and insulin resistance among individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome: a quasi-experimental study.. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2024. PMID 39610540. DOI 10.1007/s40200-024-01453-z. (abstract)
- . CDC: Raw milk. . . (full-text)
- . FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education): Milk allergy. . . (full-text)
- . NHS: Eat less saturated fat. . . (full-text)
- . NHS: Vitamin A. . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Butter oil, anhydrous (FDC 173412), SR Legacy April 2018. . . (full-text)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Cold-pressed or refined, to match how you cook
- A harvest or best-by date and a dark glass or tin container
- The oil's origin and any testing statement
- Smoke point for the way you cook
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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