Peanut butter is known worldwide and is one of the most popular and versatile spreads. It is relatively inexpensive and contains a high amount of protein and fat.
Is peanut butter good for you? Or should you only eat it in moderation? There are a few hidden downsides to peanut butter that make it best to eat in moderation.
A large-scale study found that eating whole nuts and peanuts was correlated with longevity, but consuming peanut butter was not.
The researchers outlined a few potential reasons peanuts link to longevity, but peanut butter does not:
Commercial peanut butter often contains added sugar
Many commercial peanut butters contain added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, which makes it harder to fit into a ketogenic diet. But even if you aren’t keto, you’re better off avoiding sugar. Added sugars have been linked to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity-related cancers.
It’s easy to overeat
If you’re adding peanut butter to a sandwich or smoothie, be mindful of how much you’re actually using. It’s easy to lose track of how many tablespoons you’ve scooped out once you get started, which then leads to over-consuming it.
Store-bought varieties often contain hydrogenated oils (trans fats).
Many companies produce “no-stir” peanut butter that remains cohesive and is exceptionally smooth and creamy. While no-stir peanut butter is delicious, it’s the result of producers adding fully or partially hydrogenated oils (aka sources of trans fat) to make the peanut butter stay homogenous at room temperature. Hydrogenated oils are bad for your health. They can lead to higher LDL cholesterol levels, lower HDL cholesterol, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
It can have a lot of sodium
Make sure you’re carefully examining the nutrition facts of your favourite peanut butter, as it may contain anywhere between 22 and 200 milligrams of sodium.
Peanuts (aka legumes) can be hard to digest
Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts. Due to this, many people have difficulty digesting peanuts and experience similar effects, such as gas and bloating, when consuming them, similar to those experienced when consuming soybeans or lentils.
DISCLAIMER: The medical information provided in this article is provided as an information resource only. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
