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- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Most Americans Consume Too Much Sodium
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Is Peanut Butter Bad for Your Heart?
Although peanut butter is high in fat, it contains healthy fat that helps protect your heart rather than harm it. The "bad" fats for your heart are the saturated variety, which come from animal products such as butter, beef and cheese. However, peanut butter's high calorie content means it can lead to weight gain, which may contribute to heart disease -- so eat it sparingly as part of a balanced diet.
Effects on Your Heart
Peanut butter is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are shown to help reduce artery-clogging LDL cholesterol while increasing artery-clearing HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. It also contains polyunsaturated fats, which help reduce triglyceride levels. High LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels are linked to heart disease, so peanut butter may help improve cardiovascular health 2. One caveat: salted peanut butter is relatively high in sodium, and too much sodium may contribute to heart disease by raising your blood pressure. Choose unsalted peanut butter, and limit total sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day, or 1,500 milligrams if you have any heart-disease risk factors.
- Peanut butter is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are shown to help reduce artery-clogging LDL cholesterol while increasing artery-clearing HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.
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References
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Peanut Butter, Smooth Style, With Salt
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity
- HelpGuide.org: Choosing Healthy Fats
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Heart-Healthy Diet
- Guasch-Ferré M, Liu X, Malik VS, et al. Nut consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;70(20):2519–2532. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.035
- Bes-Rastrolio, M.; Wedick, N.; Martinez-Gonzalez, M. et al. Prospective study of nut consumption, long-term weight change, and obesity risk in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun;89(6):1913-9. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27276
- Bonnefont-Rousselot, D. Resveratrol and cardiovascular diseases. Nutrients. 2016 May;8(5):250. DOI: 10.3390/nu8050250
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI). Newly Issued Clinical Guidelines from NIAID Recommend Early Peanut Intervention, Not Avoidance. Milwaukie, Wisconsin: AAAAI; issued January 5, 2017.
Writer Bio
Nina K. is a Los Angeles-based journalist who has been published by USAToday.com, Fitday.com, Healthy Living Magazine, Organic Authority and numerous other print and web publications. She has a philosophy degree from the University of Colorado and a journalism certificate from UCLA.