Peanut Butter

What Is Peanut Butter? Peanut butter is a food paste made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It often contains additional ingredients to alter taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers. It's one of the most commonly used nut butters, popular worldwide as a spread on bread, toast, or crackers, and in sandwiches (especially the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich). Peanut butter is also featured in breakfast dishes, desserts, smoothies, and baked goods. Nutritional Value Peanut butter is a concentrated source of nutrition: 1. Protein: About 22% by weight — making it a good plant-based protein source. 2. Fat: Roughly 51% — mostly healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, which support heart health. 3. Carbohydrates: Around 22%, including 5% dietary fiber. 4. Vitamins: High in vitamin E, niacin, B6, and folate. 5. Minerals: Good source of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and manganese. Health Benefits In moderation, peanut butter may provide several health benefits: 1. Improved heart health: Contains oleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids, which help manage cholesterol and blood pressure. 2. Reduced risk of diabetes: Oleic acid may lower insulin resistance, helping prevent diabetes. 3. Anticancer properties: Rich in antioxidants such as manganese, vitamin E, coumaric acid, and resveratrol. 4. Possible aid to weight management: High in healthy fats, proteins, and fiber, helping with satiety and potentially supporting weight loss goals.