Peanut butter? Yes peanut butter has multiple health benefits. Before you run to Wally World, (Walmart) to stock up on Jif, Peter Pan , or Skippy I am speaking of natural organic peanut butter. The ones mentioned are loaded with sugar. Peanut butter is loaded with vitamins and minerals as well as an essential amino acid that helps you sleep. Another benefit of peanut butter is weight loss, keep reading to find out how.

Peanut butter is a great source of vitamins B3, B6,E, folate, magnesium, and copper. It also contains B5, iron, zinc, potassium, selenium, and resveratrol. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that cause heart disease and cancer. A spoonful of peanut butter is beneficial before bed. Tryptophan an amino acid found in peanut butter, turns into serotonin that promotes the body’s ability to sleep. Tryptophan also turns into melatonin, which aids sleep and our circadian rhythm( our internal clock). So why not spread some peanut butter on a whole wheat bagel?

Research has proven that eating nuts daily leads to weight loss and lowers the risk of becoming obese. A five year study showed those eating nuts regularly experienced weight loss. Adding nuts including peanuts, burns energy even when you are inactive. Yes even when at rest calories are being burned. Take note, if you are trying to lose weight consume your nuts and peanut butter during the day versus bedtime.

A diet high in vitamin E has been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. Foods such as olive oil, leafy greens, almonds and peanuts are abundant in vitamin E. Remember we are not speaking of the refined sugar and trans fat loaded peanut butter found on the shelves of your local grocery store. Pure peanut butter only contains 20 percent carbs, and does not raise blood sugar. Women who ate peanut butter five times a week had a 21 percent lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

To obtain the benefits of organic peanut butter visit your local natural food store or better yet make your own. Following is a recipe to make your own all natural peanut butter. You can store this peanut butter in a glass jar for three months in your refrigerator.

ALL NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER

Ingredients:

2 cups shelled and skinned organic peanuts

2 tbsp. raw, organic honey

1/2 tsp. Himalayan salt

1-2 tbsp. organic coconut oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Spread peanuts on parchment paper lined baking sheet
3. Roast peanuts for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden and glossy.
4. Transfer the roasted peanuts while still warm into a blender or food processor. Pulse just until chopped. If you want to make chunky peanut butter remove 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts and set aside.
5. Continue to process, scraping down the sides occasionally until the mixture looks soft and glossy.
6. Add salt, oil, and honey, process until smooth. Add additional chopped nuts and pulse to mix.
7. Scrape peanut butter into a glass jar with a lid. Store in the refrigerator and turn it upside down so the oils and solids will remix.

There you have it make your own peanut butter, provides better nutrition and saves money.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings