Not many people think of peanut butter as a healthy food, owing to its high caloric content and the amount of fat that is found in commercial peanut butter products. There is a surprising amount of nutritional value found in the product, however, especially in some organic brands. Most of the fat in it is monounsaturated, which is considered one of the better types of fat. Peanut butter also contains fiber, protein, and a number of vitamins and minerals.
Its fat content has led to the perception that peanut butter is not a healthy food. The truth is that the fat in many brands is monounsaturated. This means it is gentler on the body and may in fact help with keeping bad cholesterol at bay. While it is still a good idea to enjoy peanut butter in moderation, there is no real reason to avoid it due to the amount of fat it contains.
One of the health benefits of peanut butter is the amount of fiber found in each serving. The fiber is helpful in maintaining a healthy colon and also contributes to helping the body regulate blood glucose levels as well as fight bad cholesterol. Fiber can also help minimize the chances of developing colorectal cancer. In order to boost these benefits slightly, it is a good idea for individuals to go with one of the organic or natural brands.
Peanut butter also has a relatively high amount of protein in each serving. Protein is necessary to build muscle and keep the body strong. This makes it a good choice for a quick snack.
There are also some important nutrients found in the peanut butter. In varying amounts, just about any type will contain niacin, vitamin E, calcium, copper, potassium, iron, and magnesium. Again, the organic products usually offer more nutrition for the body to work with. One of the benefits of peanut butter that many people are unaware of is the presence of resveratrol; this agent has anti-microbial properties that help the body to effectively deal with bacteria and various types of fungi.
While the nutritional content of various brands will differ slightly, the bottom line is that there are a number of benefits of peanut butter. In order to get the most benefit, some people may want to consider making their own peanut butter at home, taking care to use the skins in the recipe as well. Peanut oil can be added to help make the consistency creamy. This will also provide a boost in the nutritional value.
