Did you know that most store-bought peanut butter brands can contain hydrogenated oils, sugar, refined salt, soy, corn syrup and stabilizers? Most of these ingredients are genetically modified to produce their own insecticidal toxins. So along with that peanut, you are getting a whole array of products.
PEANUTS AND PEANUT BUTTER CONTAIN ALLERGENS AND PESTICIDES
Peanuts are one of the most heavily pesticide-ridden crops and most often implicated as causing allergic reactions. They are often treated with herbicides and fungicides like Glyphosate, which can lead to kidney disease, cancers and DNA damage. Could it be because of this high toxic load from all the pesticides, the allergy to peanuts is the fastest growing food allergy in the US?
PEANUTS ARE HIGH IN OMEGA-6 FATS
Peanuts are naturally high in omega-6 fats. Even though omega-6 fats are essential, we must have them balanced with omega 3s in a 3:1 ratio. Otherwise, it will cause inflammation.
PEANUT BUTTER CONTAINS AFLATOXINS
Peanuts and Peanut Butter are high in aflatoxins. As stated by the FDA, aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxic byproducts of a fungal metabolism by the members of Aspergillus family. Even in moderate concentration aflatoxins can cause cirrhosis, hepatitis B, and may cause carcinoma of the liver.
PEANUTS AND PEANUT BUTTER CONTAINS LECTINS
Lectins, knows as antinutrients, are nature’s own pesticides, are prevalent in peanuts. Lectins are known to damage our gut barrier cells and cause intestinal permeability. Leaky gut can lead to the development of autoimmune and chronic diseases like rheumatoid, lupus, IBS, Crohn’s, colitis, thyroiditis, etc.
PEANUTS AND PEANUT BUTTER CONTAIN PHYTIC ACID
Peanuts are also high in Phytic Acid. It binds to minerals and prevents absorption of iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc in human body making peanuts nutritionally insignificant
SO what should you do…
If you still crave peanut butter, buy organic with just one ingredient – organic peanuts! Why organic? You will be avoiding that added load of fertilizer, fungicides and pesticides that are applied to conventional peanuts, as well as any high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.