Peanut Butter Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Peanut butter is a spreadable paste product that is derived from whole roasted peanuts. Some peanut butter products are natural while some have other ingredients or additives added to them.

Peanut butter uses for health have been traced back to the Aztec and Inca cultures, which used a peanut paste for toothaches. ¹ Today peanut butter is most commonly used as a spread for toast and sandwiches or as a cooking ingredient in desserts. 

Many peanut butter products available are all-natural, however some have hydrogenated oils added to them. Be on the lookout for any peanut butter products that are high in trans fats as this can reduce the nutritional value of peanut butter. ⁴

Peanut Butter Health Uses and Health Benefits

There are plenty of peanut butter health benefits which make it a great option to add to your diet regularly. Peanut butter is high in protein which is why it was initially developed as a consumer product to act as a meat substitute.² One 2-tablespoon serving of peanut butter provides 7 grams of protein.

Peanut butter also offers healthy fats that are comparable to olive oil. Poly and monounsaturated fats in peanut butter help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. There is 16 grams of healthy fats in a 2-tablespoon serving of peanut butter. ²

Peanut butter is also high in vitamin B1, B3, potassium, fiber and antioxidants. Peanut butter is thought to be beneficial in the prevention of age-related cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease. ^2,3

These peanut health benefits can help to treat and prevent a number of conditions. Some of the top peanut butter uses include:

• Acid Reflux - Peanut butter health benefits can help to reduce inflammation in the esophagus if you suffer from esophagitis.
• Hiccups - One of the classic peanut butter uses for health is to eat a spoonful of peanut butter to get rid of hiccups. The slow and repetitive swallowing and chewing of peanut butter helps to make hiccups go away.
• Beriberi - Beriberi is a disease that is thought to be attributed to a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. Legumes and products like peanut butter can help add vitamin B1 to your diet and reduce the nutrient deficiency that can lead to developing beriberi.

Peanut Butter Side Effects and Precautions

Though it affects a small percent of the population, peanut butter side effects can be very dangerous and severe. Some people have severe peanut allergies which can produce various allergic reaction symptoms including hives, redness and swelling as well as potentially fatal anaphylaxis. ³ This is why many foods are labeled with warnings about peanut contents. 

Peanut butter side effects also include the product being susceptible to developing molds and fungi. This can cause the poisonous substance, aflatoxin to develop. These peanut butter side effects can be prevented by following proper storage instructions of peanut butter, including ensuring it is refrigerated. ³

References

1. http://www.livestrong.com/article/245438-health-benefits-of-peanut-butter/
2. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=101 
3. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/nutty-about-peanut-butter#1