The benefits of eating good quality peanut butter

According to a recent study eating good quality peanut butter could be the secret to beating heart disease. (Daily Mail – June 2009)

The article says that “snacking on a small amount of peanuts or peanut butter at least five days a week can nearly halve the risk of a heart attack. The nuts are thought to combat bad cholesterol, help reduce inflammation in the body and boost the health of blood vessels around the heart.”

The study reported on was carried out continuously between 1980 and 2002 by researchers at Harvard Medical School who analysed the diets of more than 6,000 women who had type 2 diabetes which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

When the results were compared with data on how many went on to suffer heart attacks or strokes, the findings were that those that regularly ate peanuts had the greatest protection.

In a report on their finding, published in the Journal of Nutrition, the risk was said to have been reduced by up to 44 per cent and stated that:

“Consumption of at least five servings a week of one ounce of nuts or one tablespoon of peanut butter was significantly associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease”.

In the UK,  poor diet and lifestyle has led to a dramatic rise over the last five years in cases of type 2 diabetes, from 1.5million to 2.25million now.

Ellen Mason of the British Heart Foundation said: “It is beneficial to include nuts in our diets as they are low in the saturated fats that raise our cholesterol”.

Suma Peanut Butter is fully organic and contains no hydrogenated oils, palm oil or added sugar. It is available “Crunchy” or “Smooth” with or without added salt, is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is available in two sizes 340g and 700g.

View the Suma Peanut Butter Range here.

Please note that some peanut products can be full of added oil, sugar and high quantities of salt so check the label first and don’t forget that nuts are high in overall calories.

Also eating more of one food in isolation will not make a dramatic difference to your health if you are inactive and don’t have a balanced diet.

Check out these recipe ideas using peanut butter on our site.

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