Almost everyone loves peanut butter. We all loved it when we were kids, and most of us still do to this day. As years pass by and health starts being a major concern, many people start having second thoughts about the old-time favorite, and wonder if it is healthy or not.
There is however a reason why almost every kitchen has peanut butter in its menu, which is one of the reasons why you should not ditch it just yet.
Discussed below are key benefits of peanut butter that you should know about.
It’s a rich source of proteins
Statistics show that, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter contain approximately 7 grams of proteins. Proteins are the key body building blocks that fuel muscle development and tissue repair.
Research also shows that, seven grams is the recommended protein dosage one should have in a day.
The best thing about using peanut butter is that, it helps keep the body satiated and full for long. Because , they make the perfect spread for breakfast and snacks as well.
Cardiovascular health
A research done by Harvard Medical School on peanut butter reveals that, peanuts are richly concentrated in proteins and mono-unsaturated oils.
When ingested, these mono-unsaturated fats replace saturated fats (bad cholesterol) from the body, which helps reduce cardio conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke.
By replacing bad cholesterol, the heart’s health is greatly improved. In addition to this, the oils found in peanut butter are almost similar to olive oil.
Olive oil is commonly used as a home remedy for hypertension, .
Although a healthy choice, peanut butter should be consumed in moderation as it contains concentrated proteins. Using it sparingly everyday can however help improve your heart health.
Supplement Potassium supply
Potassium is the only safe form of salt that our bodies benefit from. This mineral is however scarce, which forces us to use sodium as an alternative.
Sodium is however a toxic mineral for the heart, which is why it should be taken in minimal amounts.
Peanut butter is however a good source of potassium and can be used to supplement the body’s potassium needs.
Healthy Fats
Most people stop using peanut butter as they are worried about its fat content. The good news however that, the highest percentage of fats found in peanut butter is unsaturated.
Unsaturated fats are considered healthy for the heart, as they are very low in bad cholesterol. These oils can only be compared to olive or avocado oils.
Consuming foods rich in unsaturated fats reduces cases of high blood pressure and most cardio conditions.
Energy Booster
The healthy fats found in peanut butter helps give the body quick bursts of energy. It is for this reason why most body builders prefer peanut butter to margarine.
The best part about using peanut butter is that, it is very low in calories meaning you never have to worry about gaining weight from using it.
Rich in fiber and facilitates weight loss
Peanut butter contains the same percentage of fiber as proteins. This fiber is available in two forms, soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber is essential as it helps control food digestion and release of glucose into the bloodstream.
Insoluble fiber on the other hand aids food movement along the digestive tract, which eliminates constipation or flatulence cases.
Due to the high percentage of proteins and fiber, consuming peanut butter (even in small amounts) induces a satiation effect. This makes the eater have a full feeling, which reduces ones, chances of overeating.
In addition to this, the body is forced to look for alternative source of energy thus begins respiring fats. The result of this is natural weight loss.
Highly nutritional
What many people do not know is that, peanut butter is packed with almost all essential nutrients that the body needs to remain healthy.
This includes fiber, essential fats, minerals, antioxidants, proteins and Vitamin E among many others. Magnesium, the mineral responsible for the development of bones and tissue recovery is also found in abundance in peanut butter.
Aside from acting as antioxidants, vitamins help boost the body’s ability to fight disease-causing microorganisms.
How to Shop For Best Organic Peanut Butter
Not every peanut butter brand you see in the super market is genuinely natural. Some careful window-shopping for the same is required to find the best peanut butter to use.
Most people are deceived by low fat percentages indicated by brand names. Here are some of the factors you should have in mind when shopping for best peanut butter.
Natural Peanut butter brands was introduced into the market to help those seeking healthy nutritional plans.
Healthy nut butter should contain natural ingredients and never have any artificial sweeteners nor preservatives. Watch out for products that use taste enhancers to market the product.
Sugar content does matter a lot when shopping for peanut butter. Most commercial butter providers add up to 250mg of sugar per tablespoon of peanuts.
This can be too much especially if you are diabetic and looking for a healthy diet plan. Sodium content in the butter should never be overlooked as well.
Although it is used to make butter tastier, very low amounts of salt should be used in peanut butter. Too much salt in peanut butter makes it very risky especially for hypertension patients.
If you are following a strict diet plan and need all-natural product, then look for best organic peanut butter. Commercial butters can however contain preservatives and more salt than desired.
This does not mean you cannot use commercial peanut butter for your day-to-day needs. Many manufacturers produce both smooth and coarse peanut butter to suit everyone’s preferences.
Grainy butter is a healthier choice especially if you are looking for a natural produce.
Final Thoughts
The facts discussed above shows some of the many benefits that natural peanut butter has. Weighing out the options means this is a much healthier choice than factory-manufactured butter that contains saturated fats and preservatives.
If you have been thinking of ditching peanut butter for other types of butter, it is time to reconsider. Peanut butter is more beneficial to the body than any of its alternatives in the market.
In addition to this, it is easily available, yummy and easy to spread. The next time you are shopping for butter, consider trying peanut butter and you will be amazed by the results.
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