Americans consume approximately 6 pounds of peanuts and peanut-containing products per year, according to 2011 information supplied by the American Peanut Council. Peanut butter accounts for more than half of this intake. Organic peanut butter is a whole food that offers nutritional benefits to the consumer. In general, scientific evidence reveals that organic foods tend to have greater levels of antioxidant phytonutrients, trace minerals and certain vitamins than their conventional counterparts, but more research is needed for comparisons between specific crops, including peanuts, according to the USDA. Organic certification of peanut butter does not imply that it is nutritionally superior to conventionally produced peanut butter; rather, it refers to the method by which the peanuts were farmed, handled and processed. Peanut butter that is certified organic by the USDA is made from peanuts grown without the use of conventional fertilizers and pesticides.
Protein and Amino Acids
American adults over the age of 18 years need to consume approximately 0.80 g of protein per kg of body weight daily to achieve optimal health, according to the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010." One serving of organic peanut butter, which is 2 tablespoons, provides over 10 percent of this recommended protein intake. Its high protein content makes organic peanut butter an acceptable protein alternative to meat for vegetarians. Furthermore, organic peanut butter contains the amino acid arginine. In the body, arginine helps form nitric oxide, which is thought to play a role in reducing blood pressure.
Fiber and Carbohydrates
Approximately one-third of the carbohydrates present in organic peanut butter are in the form of fiber. Fiber promotes digestive health, aids in blood sugar control, helps to manage body weight and improves cholesterol levels, thereby, lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease. Adequate fiber intake may also reduce the risk for certain cancers. Eating organic peanut butter is one way to increase daily fiber intake with one serving containing about as much fiber as 1/2 cup of broccoli.
Cholesterol and Fat
Organic peanut butter is naturally cholesterol-free. It is a high fat food, but most of the fat found in organic peanut butter consists of healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats; these unsaturated fats are linked to improved cholesterol profiles. The body needs fat for energy and to store fat-soluble vitamins.
Vitamins and Minerals
Organic peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects against cell and tissue damage and may play a role in lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. The B vitamins, such as thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin and vitamin B6 are present in organic peanut butter as well. As a group, the B vitamins help the body with energy regulation. Minerals that promote bone health, such as magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and copper, can be found in organic peanut butter. Organic peanut butter is also a source of iron, zinc and potassium.
Considerations
Peanuts must make up at least 90 percent of the ingredients in peanut butter manufactured in the United States, notes the American Peanut Council. In its purest form, organic peanut butter is simply ground roasted organic peanuts; however, manufacturers may add salt and sweeteners to improve taste as well as stabilizers to prevent the oil from separating. Peanut butter that is certified organic by the USDA will bear the "USDA Organic" seal. This seal indicates that the ingredients were grown, handled and processed according to standard organic practices.
References
- American Peanut Council: About the Peanut Industry
- The Peanut Institute: Nutritional Breakdown
- United States Department of Agriculture: Should I Purchase Organic Foods
- United States Department of Agriculture: Organic Production/Organic Food--Information Access Tools
- United States Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010--Protein
- American Peanut Council: Peanut Nutrition
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