Do you doubt whether peanut butter is really good for your health and body? In this article, we will cover key facts about this product.
Peanut butter occupies a special place in the diet of many people. It can be combined with different types of dishes: both sweet and main dishes.
But the benefits of peanut butter are not limited to its perfect taste. First of all, peanut butter is a nutritious healthy fat. However, many people avoid the consumption of peanut butter, fearing that it can harm the shape and influence weight gain.
Calorie content
Just two tablespoons of peanut butter contain as much as 200 calories. Depending on the diet and the corresponding recommended daily calorie intake, for some people this may be about 10% of the daily calorie intake. But it is not necessary to exclude peanut butter from your diet because of this. High fat can help you feel more full while eating less food. As with any high-calorie foods, moderation is a key factor.
Saturated Fat
In addition to high-calorie content, some people are also worried about the high content of saturated fats in peanut butter. Saturated fats were once considered one of the main causes of heart disease. Because of this, for several decades, many people have avoided consuming peanut butter.
But in fact, saturated fats are not the main cause of heart disease. In fact, they are even useful for the normal production of essential hormones and vitamins, in particular testosterone and vitamin D.
Peanut butter also contains a large amount of “good” monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. One serving (two tablespoons) provides 8 grams of monounsaturated fat and 4 grams of polyunsaturated fat. “Good” fats help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system and lower blood pressure. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which help to speed up recovery after training and reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
How to choose the right peanut butter?
In the production of peanut butter, a wide variety of additional ingredients are used, the proportions of which differ in products of different brands.
When choosing peanut butter, you should not pay attention to products with the inscription: “low in fat.” Most low-fat foods compensate for this reduction by adding sugar and partially hydrogenated oils – or trans fats – that damage your health.
Recently, manufacturers have been trying to attract buyers with new products – flavored peanut butter, for example, with the taste of raisins, cinnamon, white, or banana. Is it tasty? Of course! But such flavored peanut oils are no more healthy than regular cakes and sweets. Keep in mind that sugar and other unhealthy, artificial stabilizers are added to such peanut butter.
