Peanut butter has many health benefits, such as controlling the Alzheimer’s disease; reduce the risk of degenerative nerve diseases, cancer, heart diseases and diabetes. Also, it can help to reduce the risk of contracting viral and fungal infections and decreasing hypertension. This is a paste which is made from dry and roasted peanuts. Usually, peanut butter is used as a spread on a toast or sandwich. Peanuts are types of ground nuts which belong to the Fabaceae family and species of Arachis hypogaea.
There are two popular varieties of peanut butter. The first variety is creamy and the other is crunchy. Usually, women and children love the creamy variety while men prefer the crunchy variety. Peanut butter can cause allergies and the symptoms can be angioedema, asthma, anaphylaxis, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. If you leave it untreated, then the anaphylactic shock can be fatal. Here are some health benefits of peanut butter:
Peanut butter rich in dietary fiber
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It is high in fiber. In one cup of peanut butter, there are 12 – 20 g of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is very important in our diet because a lack of dietary fiber can lead to many health problems and diseases, such as cholesterol, diabetes, constipation and various heart diseases.
Peanut butter reduces risk of gallstones
Gallstones is a major risk factor in developed countries which is caused by being overweight, birth control pills, certain types of cholesterol drugs and crash diets. There are some studies in which are said that women who consumed peanut butter and nuts on a regular basis have reduced their chances of getting gallstones.
High in potassium
It has potassium which acts as an electrolyte and it is fluid – balancing element in the body. Potassium does not put pressure either on the cardiovascular system or the blood. Potassium is a heart – friendly element which is found in high amounts in peanut butter.
Regulates blood sugar levels
It is rich in magnesium. It has 42% of the daily recommended amount of magnesium. This mineral is important in keeping the bone, muscle and immunity development in the body. Magnesium can help to regulate the blood sugar levels and blood pressure. The presence of magnesium in our bodies helps in more than 300 biochemical reactions which are very important for the survival.
Prevents cancer
It has B – sitosterol which is a phytosterol that can help in the fight against breast, prostate and colon cancers.
Antioxidant properties
IT has antioxidant properties due to the presence of thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, niacin and folate. Also, it has resveratrol which is antioxidant. It is a polyphenolic antioxidant which is very effective in controlling certain types of cancers, degenerative nerve diseases, viral and fungal infections, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.
Good source of vitamins
It has many vitamins which are effective for the proper functioning of our bodies. It has been found that Vitamin A can help in keeping good eyesight while the Vitamin C can help you to boost the immune system and heal simple ulcers faster. Peanut butter has Vitamin E which is a very important micronutrient needed by our bodies to dissolve complex fatty acid structures and fat blockage in the arteries.
Prevents type 2 diabetes
You should consume peanut butter because it can help you to reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. It has unsaturated fats which can improve the insulin sensitivity. There are some studies in which are said that peanut butter consumption will lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lowers cholesterol levels
In one study was said that peanut butter is an excellent source of compounds like phytosterols, flavonoids, phenolic acids and resveratrol which can stop the absorption of cholesterol from the diet. Peanut butter has both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats which are not saturated and they will not allow your heart to be on risk for getting some disease. The unsaturated fats in peanut butter can lower the bad cholesterol and they can promote the circulation of good cholesterol.