Butters in a Nut Shell
BY: Sandy Almendarez
Working for Peanuts
While many nut butters make up the market, peanut butter is still the king in conventional grocery stores, making up 82 percent of the nut butter sales, at $99 million, according to SPINS. And, according to Mintel, it was the top nut for new products launched in the United States in 2009.
The old staple also offers health benefits. “Peanuts have more than 30 essential nutrients and they have tons of antioxidants; actually peanuts have more antioxidants that green tea or broccoli,” said Raffaela Marie Fenn, president and managing director, National Peanut Board. “They are good for heart health, cholesterol and a variety of things.”
Bob Coyle, marketing team leader, National Peanut Board noted peanuts are also high in B vitamins and have the highest amount of protein among all nuts.
Peanuts are also a good source of niacin, folate, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese and phosphorus. They are naturally free of trans fat and sodium. A Purdue University study found regular peanut consumption lowers serum triacylglycerol, augments consumption of nutrients associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and increases serum magnesium concentrations.
1 A 2006 study suggested frequent intake of peanuts and its products may reduce colorectal cancer risk in women.
2. Interestingly, peanuts were also found to contain resveratrol, a compound associated with reduced risk of CVD and cancer.
3 A quantitative analysis of 15 cultivars representing three peanut market types, indicated a range of 0.02 to 1.79 microg/g of resveratrol in peanuts, compared to 0.6 to 8.0 microg/mL in red wines.
Peanuts may also be a gateway nut to other healthy eating habits. “Weekly Reader, a publication that goes out to schools around the country, did a survey and found 64 percent of kids will eat more produce if it’s paired with peanut butter,” Coyle said.
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