According to recent research, there is mounting evidence that peanuts and peanut butter are actually beneficial to your health! Although peanut butter contain fat, the good news is that 80% of the fat is unsaturated fat, which may actually help lower LDL-cholesterol levels in your blood. Nutritious as well as delicious, peanuts also contain essential vitamins and minerals necessary for maintaining good health

Here’s what the experts are saying

Peanuts and peanut butter contain fiber, which can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Fiber also helps control blood sugar levels and may help reduce the level of blood cholesterol. 

Peanuts are naturally low in sodium. 

Recent studies indicate that frequent consumption of peanuts and nuts, as part of a healthy diet, may actually lower the risk of heart attack. 

Eating low glycemic index foods, such as peanut butter, yogurt, beans, and broccoli, along with foods that are high in cereal fiber, can dramatically reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes in women. 

Monounsaturated fat can reduce a woman’s risk from breast cancer by one half. Peanut oil contains 6.3 grams of monounsaturated fat. 

One serving (2 tablespoons of peanut butter) provides approximately 10% of your daily calorie requirement (based on 2000 calories). 

Sources: American Peanut Council  Peanut Advisory Board