Forget the stereotype that peanut butter is unhealthy! On the contrary – it is actually very beneficial for the normal functioning of the body!
Nowadays, peanut butter is mainly associated with the USA, but it won't be long before it will be properly appreciated in Latvia as well.
Nutego peanut butter is made from 97% freshly roasted peanuts, a little salt, sugar and peanut oil. Nothing extra is added. In turn, the peanuts themselves contain 25% high-quality protein, 50% fat, of which 80% are unsaturated fatty acids (mono-, polyunsaturated), 10% fiber, valuable vitamin E (antioxidant), B vitamins (especially high in PP vitamins), folic acid and minerals (potassium, phosphorus, manganese).
Vitamin E - is a powerful antioxidant that, in the event of the breakdown of unsaturated fatty acids and other lipids, prevents the release of toxic products and vascular atherosclerosis. Vitamin E is called the vitamin of youth because it delays the formation of wrinkles and neutralizes the action of free radicals, which are responsible for premature skin aging.
Peanut protein, compared to other nuts, is characterized by an optimal ratio of essential amino acids, which ensures their better absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. It should also be noted that peanuts contain much less fat than other nuts. It is not for nothing that peanuts are a favorite food of vegetarians and photo models, because due to their high fiber content they create a feeling of satiety.
Peanuts are an excellent source of folic acid, which promotes cell formation and regeneration, and is necessary for blood formation, life, and embryonic development.
The fats in nuts act as a mild choleretic agent.
Beneficial effects of peanuts:
The total amount of fat consumed (including saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) per day should not exceed 25% - 30% of the total calorie intake. The main attention should be paid to unsaturated fatty acids. Some of these fatty acids are essential and, like vitamins and minerals, the body cannot synthesize them on its own, so they must be consumed through diet. Scientific studies have shown that essential fatty acids are vital for normal growth and functioning of the body.
Essential fatty acids (polyunsaturated) are divided into two groups: omega-3 and omega-6. Both groups of essential fatty acids are necessary for the normal functioning of the human body, as they perform their functions in the body by interacting with each other.
Unsaturated fatty acids - healthy fatty acids that have one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon residue. They are divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fatty acids - are fatty acids with one double cis-bond in the carbon chain. Omega-5, omega-7 and omega-9. Monounsaturated fatty acids increase the level of good HDL cholesterol. They play an important role in the prevention of heart disease and risk factors for atherosclerosis. The body usually uses them for energy, but they can also be included in cell membranes. These fatty acids increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin and improve lipid metabolism (reduce triglycerides in the serum, increase high-density lipoproteins, without affecting the level of low-density lipoproteins). Monounsaturated fatty acids prevent the development of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.
Cholesterol - a naturally occurring fatty substance that is an important component of the outer shell of the body's cells. In the blood, cholesterol circulates together with protein and phospholipids, forming lipoproteins - a complex structure that can bind with water. In this form, it is transported from the digestive tract and liver to other organs, where it is used in the synthesis of cell membranes, hormones and bile acids. All lipoproteins in the blood must be at a certain level and in a certain ratio. At higher concentrations, cholesterol in lipoproteins accumulates in the arteries, causing the formation of atherosclerosis.
ABLH cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) – this is the “good” or anti-atherosclerotic lipoprotein cholesterol, as it reduces cholesterol deposits and transports them from organ tissues and arteries to the liver. They are excreted from the body with stool. In this way, the risk of atherosclerosis is reduced.
LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) - this is the “bad” lipoprotein cholesterol, because it carries cholesterol from the liver to the walls of blood vessels and promotes the formation of atherosclerotic deposits or plaques there. “Bad” cholesterol has the property of depositing on the walls of blood vessels. The blood vessel begins to clog and becomes narrower, the blood flow becomes weaker and, as a result, the organ fed by this blood vessel does not receive the amount of oxygen and nutrients necessary for its existence. A serious chronic disease of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, develops. The higher the LDL cholesterol level, the greater the risk factor for atherosclerosis.
100g of Nuteko peanut butter contains 25g of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids - fatty acids with two or more double bonds in the carbon chain (the first double bond position - Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 fatty acids). Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in general (ω-3 and ω-6 families) reduce the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. Omega-3 family fatty acids are an essential component of a proper diet, because the body cannot synthesize them on its own. They help maintain proper cholesterol levels in the blood, participate in the formation of cell membranes and are important in the growth and development of children. This fatty acid is contained in only a few oils, including peanut oil. Recent studies have shown that unsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids can be used to treat cardiovascular and inflammatory joint diseases, as well as to improve brain function.
100g of Nuteko peanut butter contains 16g of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Saturated fatty acids - fatty acids that do not have double bonds in the hydrocarbon residue. This is the most unhealthy group of fatty acids.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes play an essential role in cell metabolism. They maintain cell membranes in a liquid state. Lipid-protein interactions occur in membranes, which are provided by polyunsaturated fatty acid compounds. They control the metabolic functions of membranes.
The absolutely necessary essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are linoleic acid (omega-6), ɑ-linolenic acid (omega-3). These fatty acids are part of human cell membranes, the brain, the retina of the eye, and germ cells.
Omega-3
Scientific studies conducted on the effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids on the human body show that these unique fatty acids have a wide range of beneficial effects on human health.
Omega-3 essential fatty acids:
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces inflammatory responses, vasoconstriction, and platelet aggregation. The presence of these substances in large quantities also reduces the production of substances that suppress the immune system.
Omega-6
Omega-6 essential fatty acids have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, boost immunity, and participate in the body's metabolic processes, similar to omega-3.
The most extensive research has been conducted on the omega-6 fatty acid Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which:
Scientists and nutritionists recommend a 1:4 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in your daily diet.
These vital polyunsaturated fatty acids are also found in fish, but consumers of fish and fish oil should be aware that these products may contain heavy metals and other toxic substances that enter the fish's diet as a result of water pollution. Although fish are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, they do not synthesize these fatty acids themselves, but instead obtain them from algae and plankton.
Therefore, it is safer to consume peanut butter!
The ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in the diet is desirable to be 1 : 1.2 : 0.8. In Latvia it is 1 : 1.0 : 0.6 (2004).
Pregnancy
Essential fatty acids are of unique importance during pregnancy, when the cells, tissues and organs of the embryo are being formed. During this period, the embryo has a high need for essential fatty acids, and their intake depends on how much essential fatty acids the mother consumes during pregnancy.
Peanuts are not considered nuts, but legumes. They are classified as nuts because their chemical composition and taste are similar to nuts, not beans.
