There are many differing opinions out there regarding how healthy peanut butter is. Some experts believe that it’s quite healthy, whilst others aren’t so sure about that. Then again, there’s also the fact that some peanut butters are more healthy than others. So what’s the verdict? Let’s dive in.
The Numbers
Let’s first talk about the hard facts. If you take a quarter cup of peanuts, you’ll be holding 207 calories, nine grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, three grams of fiber, six carbohydrates, and one gram of sugar. Based on these numbers alone, it would appear that the calories and fat are certainly worth all of the healthy minerals you’re getting in return, as long as one eats peanut butter in moderation.
Overall Health Benefits
However, experts have a bit more to say regarding the wonderful health benefits of peanut butter. Apparently, there’s a lot of copper in peanut butter, which helps with our immune functionality, blood vessels, and bone health. Due to this, many believe that peanut butter can reduce one’s risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. Another study suggested that eating peanuts (or natural peanut butter) every day can decrease one’s risk of death by a whopping 21%.
Finding the Balance
Clearly, there are some truly great health benefits to peanut butter, especially the natural kind. But it’s also important to remember that it’s still high in fats and calories, so be careful not to overdo it!
