35 Peanut Butter Health Facts & Trivia
Chunky or smooth, everyone loves peanut butter. Before you dive into your next delicious peanut butter sandwich, it helps to know some peanut butter health facts that will help you savour every buttery bite.
Peanut Butter Health Facts 1-10 | Do you know your PB?
- Peanut butter is made from mainly peanuts.
- Peanuts originated from Brazil and later spread to the rest of the world where it was introduced and cultivated by explorers.
- Peanut butter is not a new invention. In fact Aztec Indians made and consumed peanut butter paste as early as 1300 CE.
- Early indigenous tribes in South America were enjoying peanut butter in plenty centuries before us.
- While the Aztec Indians’ peanut butter version was simply a thick paste made from roasted peanuts, today we have peanut butter with far more additives such as vegetable fats, sugar, preservatives, food colour etc.
- Today, we also have more peanut butter varieties including chocolate flavoured peanut butter, caramel peanut butter, mixed nut peanut butter etc.
- The leading producer of peanut butter is the US.
- China is the second biggest exporter of peanut butter.
- Peanuts are actually not real nuts. Scientifically, they are identified as legumes.
- Peanut butter is mainly used as sandwich spread, but many people enjoy it straight off the jar.
Nutty Health Facts: Read Top 10 Facts for Good Health!
Peanut Butter Health Facts 11-20 | PB - Up Close and Personal
11. There are 94 calories in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.
12. Peanut butter ice cream can contain up to 180 calories per serving.
13. 100 gms of peanut butter contains 53 gms of total fat, which is 82% of the RDA (Recommended Daily Amount).
14. Roasted peanuts contain up to 22% more antioxidants than raw peanuts.
15. Peanut butter is rich in a substance called Resveratrol, which is known to actively fight cancer cells.
16. Peanut butter is rich in fibre, which helps with proper bowel movements.
17. Peanut butter also contains a good range of minerals too, including magnesium and folate.
18. Peanut butter is rich in Vitamin B3 (Niacin), which is good for the nervous system and helps in the formation of healthy skin, hair and nails.
19. Vitamin B3 found in peanut butter also improves the proper functioning of the digestive system.
20. Peanut butter is one of the foods low in sodium.
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Peanut Butter Health Facts 21-35 | More PB Trivia
21. Peanut butter has a high protein content.
22. 100 gms of peanut butter contains 19 gms of protein, which is 38% of the RDA.
23. If you are worried about high cholesterol, you may go for the natural peanut butter varieties which have a lower percentage of saturated fat.
24. If you are concerned about preservatives, trans fat, saturated fat and other issues in commercial peanut butters, have you ever thought about making peanut butter at home? Home-made peanut butter is delicious and easy to make.
25. Peanut butter also contains unsaturated fat, which greatly helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.
26. For a more healthier option, look for peanut butter with no added sugar and no trans fat.
27. Organic peanut butter has less sodium content.
28. Peanut butter can help you lose weight. It keeps you full longer and makes you feel like you have indulged in something sinfully tasty.
29. Peanut butter can help you reduce your risk of getting type II diabetes.
30. Surveys have found that there is a peanut butter jar in 75% of households in the USA.
31. 50% of the peanuts harvested in the US are turned into peanut butter.
32. Want to trap mice faster? Use peanut butter as bait in mouse traps.
33. Peanut butter has a low carb content.
34. This makes peanut butter a great food option for dieters – but only if taken in moderate quantities.
35. Commercial peanut butter varieties may contain up to 16% of saturated fat. Overconsumption of saturated fat has been linked to heart problems.
These peanut butter health facts and trivia should bring a smile to your face the next time you have your peanut butter sandwich. Besides it makes for good conversation at the dinner table. Spread nutty and buttery joy of peanut butter health facts by sharing on Facebook and Twitter.