Here are four things you probably haven't considered.
Many people's all-time favorite snacks include peanut butter. It's possible, though, that your daily dose of PB is creating some adverse side effects.
We've highlighted four of these hazards below, so you know what to look out for.
1. It has the potential to produce acid reflux.
Acid reflux is no laughing matter! "Overeating peanut butter might contribute to the beginning or irritation of generalized acid reflux condition, generally known as GERD," explained Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD.
GERD is a digestive ailment in which acidic stomach acids, food, and fluids run back up into the esophagus, generating a burning feeling. This term also knows acid reflux.
"Those with GERD can eat peanut butter, but they should do so in moderation because it is a high-fat food," she says.
Fatty foods can cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a group of muscles that separates your esophagus from your stomach, to relax, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus.
2. It's possible that you're ingesting harmful fats.
Some peanut butter companies may be slipping in more oils than usual when it comes to fatty foods. But first, let's get one thing straight. Peanut butter is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are both good for you. However, some commercial types of peanut butter add extra oils to the jar, such as palm oil or utterly hydrogenated vegetable oils, which add saturated fats to your diet.
Instead, look for natural peanut kinds of butter that contain only peanuts and sometimes salt.
3. It's possible that you're increasing your intake of added sugars.
Some of the same commercial brands that add oils to your peanut butter may also include added sugars. For example, a two-tablespoon serving of Peter Pan Natural, Honey Roast, Creamy Peanut & Honey Spread contains 8 grams of sugar. It's no surprise that trained nutritionists consider it one of the worst peanut butter selections available.
4. A hazardous mold could be present in peanut butter.
Peanut butter, strangely enough,
may contain aflatoxins, which are found in the mold Aspergillus niger. Peanuts
grow underground and are often invaded by mold; however, a study has shown that
processing peanuts into peanut butter can lower aflatoxins levels by up to 89
percent. The USDA likewise monitors foods to ensure that they do not exceed
approved limits. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that aflatoxins have been
related to liver cancer in a few human studies.