Health Hazards of Peanut Butter

For years peanut butter has been seen as a dietary staple, and why wouldn't it be? It has high amounts of good fats (very low in saturated, and high in unsaturated), great protein, few carbs, and unless you buy non-organic, doesn't contain the deadly partially hydrogenated oils. It has been a great alternative to high sugar snacks, an amazing recovery food for bodybuilders, low calorie, and so on. We can praise the health benefits of peanut butter for pages upon pages, but there is a health hazard that is rarely acknowledged.

Peanut butter has the slim chance of causing liver cancer. Now for many average consumers, who eat peanut butter every now and then, this chance is very rare. For this group of people, the cancer risk is usually exaggerated by those touting this flag, really though the chance exists but it is minute. However, for those who partake in dietary staples to lose weight, or even more for bodybuilders eating this as a recovery food, you are much more at risk.

Now it isn't really the peanut butter itself causing the caner, but a fungus that forms on the peanuts, both during growing and the processing. This fungus, known as Aspergillus flavus, releases aflatonix B1. Officially recognized as a carcinogen, or cancer causing, the risks are so potent for people working around peanuts that they are forced to wear protection. Also, those living around peanuts, farmers and animals, are known to have higher chances of liver cancer.

Another factor in whether or not this mold accrues on the peanuts is the climate it is grown in. Aflatoxin B1 flourishes in humid, moist environments. In drier though, the mold rarely grows. While this may help those growing their own peanuts, or if you buy from places that actually tell you where the peanuts comes from, this information will be unusable to most others (sorry).

But, for better news, there is a great alternative to peanut butter. While many are not fond of the taste as much, almond butter is in my opinion better tasting, and scientifically it is better for you.

Unlike peanuts which can form this mold, almonds will not. There isn't a lower chance, aflatoxin just does not grow on almonds, so you are safe from this carcinogen. Also, almond butter has higher amounts of protein and unsaturated fats than peanuts. Those of you who like texture in your food will enjoy the natural semi-crunchy almond butter feel.

So make a better decision for your body. You don't have to give up nut butters, just replace the peanut with almond and you'll be safe and even healthier.
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Information on peanut butter and carcinogens from: http://www.bodybuildingweb.net/blog/peanut-butter-causes-cancer/