A culinary substance prepared from peanuts is known as peanut butter. Peanuts that have been dry-roasted are processed and turned into a paste-like substance.
To improve the flavor and texture of the peanut butter, the manufacturers add a few additives. The taste of the peanuts is enhanced by the addition of salt, artificial sweeteners, or emulsifiers.
A significant amount of protein and several vital minerals and vitamins are included in peanut butter. The average serving of peanut butter has 6 g of protein.
Each serving of peanut butter has 3.5 g of saturated fat. Like other nut butter, peanut butter is very similar. Children and adults alike love the flavor of peanut butter.
It is consumed widely throughout the world. However, many people continue to dispute the benefits of eating peanut butter.
In this article, we have talked about the several benefits of peanut butter.
Peanut Butter Benefits
The following are some of the benefits of peanut butter:
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Could Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Resveratrol, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phytosterols, compounds that fully limit the absorption of cholesterol from the diet, may be found in abundance in peanuts.
Most likely, the amount of fat in peanut butter is nearly identical[1] to the amount in olive oil. Both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are present.
These fats are healthy to eat and pose no risk to the heart because they are unsaturated.
Low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, could be reduced by peanut butter’s unsaturated fats, which may also increase the flow of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein).
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Contains Effective Antioxidants
Carotene, an uncommon and crucial nutrient for people, is present in high concentrations in peanut butter. Carotene contributes to human health by forming antioxidants or vitamin A.
About 65% of the body’s ingested carotene gets converted[2] into these disease-preventive substances in terms of antioxidants.
Anti-infectious, these antioxidants may strengthen your immune system.
The skin, eyes, mouth, and throat, as well as the urinary and digestive tracts, all have fat-soluble membranes, thus vitamin A could help these areas of the body.
There, it may encourage cell development and repair while defending it against exposure to infectious agents.
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May Strengthen Heart Health
It is good for the heart since it contains nutrients including monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), magnesium, and vitamin E.
It has the same ratio of saturated fats to unsaturated fats (PUFAs and MUFAs) as olive oil, which is renowned[3] for being a heart-healthy choice.
Eating premium peanut butter, such as SN Peanut butter, in moderation could help your heart health.
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Contains Vitamins
Several vitamins found in peanut butter may help our bodies function effectively.
It contains vitamins A, which is good for eyesight, and C, which may aid to strengthen the immune system and speed up the healing of minor ulcers.
On the other hand, the vitamin E in peanut butter may be a crucial micronutrient that our bodies require to break down intricate fatty acid complexes and artery-clogging fat deposits.
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Could Improve Intestinal Health
A substantial amount of glycosphingolipids could be found in peanut butter.
By adding to the mucus layers along the membrane and making it more difficult for bacterial infections to attach to functional receptors[4], this unique type of fatty acid protects your body from a variety of gastrointestinal problems and illnesses.
Because peanut butter contains a lot of glycosphingolipids because it is an animal product, including peanut butter in your diet may help your body’s digestive and stomach defenses.
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May Boost Productivity And Energy
A nutritious breakfast that contains peanut butter will help you get your day off to a great start by giving you important nutrients.
Protein, good fats, and fiber are all nutritional benefits of peanut butter that provide you with the needed energy boost. Additionally, it will aid in blood sugar stabilization and prevent afternoon cravings.
Another excellent afternoon food that could increase productivity and combat fatigue is a peanut butter smoothie.
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Could Enhance Sexual Performance
Because they are necessary to extract nutrients from water-soluble vitamins, the majority of the fat-soluble vitamins present in peanut butter are crucial to maintaining[5] human health.
Many of these fat-soluble vitamins have been demonstrated to even enhance sexual performance.
In addition to being necessary for healthy brain and nervous system development, vitamins A and D are also important for sexual development.
All men and women may experience a form of nutritional sterility where their sexual features do not present properly without those fats and vitamin E.
It is hardly surprising that rates of infertility and sexual dysfunction have skyrocketed in recent decades given the drop in peanut butter intake. The best supply of fat-soluble vitamins that we have is peanut butter fat.
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Could Help In Managing Weight
Despite what many people think, peanut butter does not make you fat. Even our guts do not need to break down the fatty acids in peanut butter.
They are quickly transformed into energy by the liver after being directly absorbed[6] from the small intestine.
Our bodies store long-chain fatty acids, which are commonly present in refined carbohydrates and polyunsaturated oils, as fat.
The iodine mineral is present in peanut butter in a form that is very simple for our bodies to absorb.
The thyroid gland needs iodine to operate properly in our body. The hormones that regulate our metabolism are made by the thyroid gland.
Iodine needs to be obtained through diet because the body cannot produce it. When we give our bodies the nutrients found in peanut butter, we feel full.
As a result of giving our bodies what they require, our appetites for other nutrient-poor meals are lessened.
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May Prevent Cancer
The capacity of peanut butter to prevent numerous malignancies in people, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer, may be one of the greatest nutritional discoveries ever.
It has been shown that beta-sitosterol, a component in peanut butter, inhibits the growth and spread of malignant cells.
The use of healthy peanut butter in foods like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and milkshakes may significantly[7] aid the fight against cancer.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to the lowly peanut for making our beach walks, picnics, and movie outings so much more delightful.
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Could Strengthen Bones
Magnesium, iron, and calcium are included in peanut butter aid to support stronger and healthier bones.
Muscle cramps and exhaustion are also avoided thanks to the beneficial[8] protein in peanut butter.
Additionally, the fat-soluble vitamin K in peanut butter aids in the easier absorption of calcium throughout the body.
Consequently, add natural peanut butter to your diet if you wish to boost the condition of your bones.
Conclusion
One of the world’s healthiest snacks is peanut butter. Proteins, dietary fiber, polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are all abundant in them.
Peanut butter is a great source of substances like resveratrol, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phytosterols that prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol from the diet.
It also contains all 20 amino acids and coenzyme Q10. For some people, peanut butter’s nutritional advantages are highly worth it.
In particular, those who might not be eating enough to support their needs or goals, and those who might not be regularly consuming enough protein, should consider increasing their peanut butter intake.
However, the fact that peanut butter contains a lot of calories cannot be ignored. Like with many high-calorie items, it’s crucial to consume them in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Try a powdered form of peanut butter instead of the actual thing if you want the taste and protein of peanut butter with fewer calories.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Isabella Parilli-Moser, Sara Hurtado-Barroso, Marta Guasch-Ferré, et. al. Effect of Peanut Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Meta-Analysis. Front Nutr. 2022; 9: 853378. Published online 2022 Apr 1. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.853378
- Peanut butter. Date of Publication: October 30, 2020. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1100559/nutrients
- Shalini S. Arya, Akshata R. Salve, and S. Chauhan. Peanuts as functional food: a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2016 Jan; 53(1): 31–41. Published online 2015 Sep 19. doi: 10.1007/s13197-015-2007-9
- Healthy Prebiotic and Postbiotic Effects of Peanuts and Peanut Butter: College Intervention Trial (ARISTOTLE). Date of Publication: March 27, 2020. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04324749
- Albert Salas-Huetos, Jananee Muralidharan, Serena Galiè, et. al. Effect of Nut Consumption on Erectile and Sexual Function in Healthy Males: A Secondary Outcome Analysis of the FERTINUTS Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2019 Jun; 11(6): 1372. Published online 2019 Jun 19. doi: 10.3390/nu11061372
- Maira Bes-Rastrollo, Nicole M Wedick, Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, et. al. Prospective study of nut consumption, long-term weight change, and obesity risk in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun; 89(6): 1913–1919. Published online 2009 Apr 29. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27276
- Maryam Hashemian, Gwen Murphy, Arash Etemadi, et. al. Nut and peanut butter consumption and the risk of esophageal and gastric cancer subtypes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Sep; 106(3): 858–864. Published online 2017 Aug 2. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.117.159467
- Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45523/table/ch7.t5/
- About the Author
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.