The Dark Side of Peanut Butter

Most of us love spreading peanut, almond, or cashew butter on our favorite foods. The sad truth is that not all nut and seed butter is created equal, especially peanut butter. There’s a dark and dirty little secret you might want to know about America’s favorite sandwich spread.

Let’s start with the basics. Peanuts are not actually a nut at all. They are classified as a legume, just like a bean or a chickpea. Unlike almonds, which grow on trees, peanuts grow underground in the soil. During their growth, while the warm, moist earth surrounds them, they are often exposed to mold and fungus. Unfortunately, the fungus causes contamination of the peanuts and ends up producing cancer-causing compounds known as aflatoxins.

Produced by the Aspergillus fungus, these aflatoxins are, as the name implies, highly toxic and can cause food intolerances and other diseases in both livestock and humans. Aflatoxins have been linked to a variety of health issues, including possible growth impairment in children and developmental delays*.

So, if you were a peanut butter lover before, you might want to reconsider. Almond butter is a much better choice for more reasons than one. Not only does it grow above ground (key point!), but it contains several other valuable nutrients and health benefits.

  • Almonds are a good source of monounsaturated fats, which have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
  • They are one of the best natural sources of fat-soluble vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, and may also help lower cholesterol.
  • It’s a good source of magnesium, which is thought to play a role in maintaining healthy blood pressure.
  • Studies have shown that people who regularly eat almonds don’t seem to gain weight, despite their higher caloric content.

So, what do you think? Is it time to consider swapping out peanut butter for almond butter? If so, here’s a quick way to make it yourself!

 

Homemade Almond Butter

Place 3 cups of almonds and ¼ teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt into a food processor or high-speed blender.

Pulse until the almonds go from coarsely chopped to crumbly and finely ground.

They should begin to stick together like a paste. If the almonds aren’t quite there yet, add up to 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil and continue blending until the mixture turns into a beautifully smooth batter.

Finally, spread it on the food that you love. Your mouth will be very happy!

 

 

 

 

 

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

Happy Patients

I have had back issues most of my life. Since starting treatments with Dr Greg I have had no more issues. It's such a relief to be able to be physical at the high level I want to be. I am able to maintain wellness by seeing Dr Greg on a regular basis. Thank you Dr Greg!!

Michael L.

Hello! I just want to say that you are truly a healer! After leaving your office last Monday, I was more able to breathe, truly breathe - after having suffered all weekend to take a deep breath due to a "rib out of place" OK - if you say so....all I know is that, though I continued to have a bit of pain in my upper back and neck for a day or two, I could take wonderful, glorious deep breaths thanks to your treatment. Thanks again for all you do! Even if I do make many sound affects while you are treating me - "OUCH!!! Hmmmph!! Ughhh!! Really???" I truly appreciate your healing touch....

MMW

I have had Parkinson's Disease for 8 years.  I have developed arthritis in my back and hips. The stiffness of the Parkinson's and the arthritis has caused me a lot of pain. Because of that unrelenting pain I was unable to exercise. Exercise is an important part of pain management for Parkinson's.  Since I have been seeing Dr. Krapf I am feeling much better and his care has allowed me to begin exercising again, which has improved my overall well being. In the past I have been treated by physical therapists and orthopedists. Dr. Krapf's chiropractic manipulations have had an amazing impact on my health and happiness. I highly recommend Dr. Krapf to anyone who needs excellent chiropractic care and the many alternative therapies he offers. I would say he is magical!

When my friend received excellent care from Dr. Krapf, she recommended him to me. I have had gastrointestinal problems for nearly 50 years that have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease with lactose intolerance. All that, including unrelieved stress had made me unhappy and unhealthy. Today I am a different person with the help of Dr. Greg. The Gastro issues are practically nonexistent, my stress levels have plummeted, and my body is changing. I am so grateful for Dr. Greg and his healing hands.

Mary Ann L.

Our family have been patients of Krapf chiropractic for a few decades. We have several success stories archived. The most recent event involves our youngest son who is completing his senior year of high school. He has been a patient of Krapf Chiropractic (KCA) since birth. He has been an avid soccer player since the age of four and has sustained numerous injuries over the years. Dr. Krapf has successfully assisted in every recovery.

Most recently, he began complaining of his feet hurting while playing soccer. Both feet hurt - particularly the balls of his feet while running and cutting. He came to Dr. Greg with his complaint as this was seriously affecting his game. Dr. Greg evaluated the situation and decided a foot scan should be done. The finding was dropped arches. My son was fitted for orthotics. They arrived within days and he wore these as directed. Within a few short weeks he is now playing full games pain free.

SC

I first called Krapf Chiropractic when my back was so bad that I couldn't get up off the floor. It's been a blessing to have Dr. Greg help me with my overall wellness and health! I find this to be a place where you are not a number and everyone cares. Mollie is always cheerful and reminds me to come. Erin is always smiling and helps relax me when I'm in pain. I would not be functioning if I did not have Krapf Chiropractic to keep me going. As I get older my appreciation deepens, especially when I see people around me who are suffering with back problems. If they only knew how helpful this is. I believe Dr. Greg treats the person not the symptoms. Thank you

Debbie B.

I've been lucky to have exceptional health care from the beginning. At the beginning, seventy-six-plus years ago, Hugh Rodgers brought me into the world in mother and dad's second-floor bedroom in our dairy farm home. Hugh's son, Hugh, Jr., practiced with his dad and beyond caring for my parents, he, also, cared for hundreds of others and me. Roughly forty years ago, a friend suggested I make an appointment with Richard Krapf for help with back-pain. Richard treated the pain that, often, was debilitating, and on Richard's death, his son, Greg became the second second generation to help me from one place to another. I'm grateful to Hugh, Hugh, Richard and, perhaps, most of all, to Greg.

N.C.

A Holistic Way To Improving Your Health.

We look forward to working with you so that YOU can live a life of complete health and vitality! Get in touch with us today!

Scroll to Top