Date:18/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2009/07/18/stories/2009071850860500.htm

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Going peanuts

Just a serving of peanut butter helps you get your dose of nutrients

You dig into it for its peanutty goodness. Spread it over crisp toast, garlic bread, roti or paratta, make it a dip for biscuits or banana chips — peanut butter (PB) is a show-stealer. PB packs a healthy punch. Nuts are loaded with mono-unsat urated fats, which have been linked to lowering cholesterol.

Studies tell us that a serving of peanut butter has 3 mg of the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, 49 mg of bone-building magnesium, 208 mg of muscle-friendly potassium, and 0.17 mg of immunity-boosting vitamin B6. Eating peanuts can decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.

A Harvard study showed that women who regularly ate peanut butter/nuts had a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes. The oleic acid in peanuts is considered a healthful fat usually found in olive oil. It helps reduce the risk of colon cancer, especially in women.

Caution: If you’re allergic to peanuts, keep off them. Get your vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. You need to have them anyway.

GEETA PADMANABHAN