Health Benefits of Homemade Spicy Peanut Butter

by Wingreens Farms WingreensFarms

There’s nothing that a spoonful of peanut butter cannot fix. A large scoop of this spread is all you need to satisfy your sugar craving. Apart from being incredibly tasty and smooth in consistency, it also has a lot of health benefits!

Peanuts contain fat but it’s good for you as it is the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated type of fat, making it fairly nutritious. Homemade peanut butter is a great source of vitamin E, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, magnesium & copper. It also contains iron, potassium, zinc and selenium in small amounts. 100 grams of spicy peanut butter contains a high amount of protein, approximately 25 – 30 grams. These proteins that we eat are broken down into amino acids which are then used for repairing and building the body. Iron and calcium are found in abundance in peanut butter which are important for promoting healthy and strong bones.

Homemade peanut butter has proven to affect blood sugar control in a positive manner and help decrease the risk of diabetes. Peanuts not only contain protein but also unsaturated fats. These type of fats have been known to improve insulin sensitivity. A higher intake of spicy peanut butter and other nuts lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Homemade peanut butter also aids in weight loss. This is because it is rich in fiber and protein which help fuels your body up makes one feel full for longer. Hence, the overall consumption of food intake reduces. Moreover, eating in moderation helps dieters get rid of cravings and stay on track. Eating this spread actually suppresses hunger which leads to weight loss.

Another among health benefits, it also helps in reducing the risk of cancers. It contains essential antioxidants which help to lessen the activity of free radicals. In addition, the fiber present diminishes the danger of colon cancer by removing waste efficiently through the intestines. Spicy peanut butter also contains B-sitosterol, a phytosterol that has a great property of fighting against cancer, particularly colon, prostate, and breast cancers.

Gallstones is one of the major health risks caused by being overweight, crash diets and birth control pills. A study on peanut consumption relating to the risk of gallstones was undertaken and the results of the study showed that over a period of two decades, women who consumed homemade peanut butter had reduced their risk of developing gallstones. They have the ability of lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing good cholesterol i.e. HDL, thereby reducing the possibility of developing gallstones.

This spread contains antioxidant properties as it contains folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and resveratrol. Resveratrol is an antioxidant which has been found to be effective in controlling certain types of heart diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, viral & fungal infections and degenerative nerve diseases. The niacin content helps in the recovery of cell damage of the brain, and also provides protection against Alzheimer's disease. The acid content in spicy peanut butter helps fight the oxidative stress of the body that is associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

When you need to give yourself a boost of energy, consuming a teaspoon of this is an effective and healthy way. It is loaded with unsaturated fats and protein which give your body energy. Peanut butter, in small amounts, could therefore be considered a suitable pre-workout fuel source before you hit the gym and train. Try pairing a tablespoon of this delicious spread with rice cakes or crackers for a pre-workout or anytime snack!