Health and Nutrition
Besides being fun to eat and delicious, USA peanuts and peanut butter are nutritious!

One ounce of peanuts is a good source of protein. According to the USDA* one ounce of dry roasted peanuts provides over 13% of the daily reference value (DRV) per serving. Peanuts and peanut butter contain several vitamins and minerals. Peanuts are good sources of vitamin E and B vitamins. A USDA report shows peanuts supply minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc. Peanut butter supplies the same amount and type of minerals, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.

Nutrition Facts (peanuts, all types, dry-roasted, with salt) Serving size (1 oz) Daily Reference Values (DRV) for protein - 13.4%

Nutrition Facts (peanut butter - smooth style with salt) Serving size (2 tbsp.) Daily Reference Values (DRV) for protein - 16.1%

A diet containing peanuts and peanut butter is a good source of protein and helps to include more of the good fat (unsaturated fat) and zero cholesterol. For example, a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread makes for a very tasty and nutritious combination!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) dietary guidelines, along with the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines (May, 2000) place an increased emphasis on decreasing saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (December, 1999) showed that diets higher in monounsaturated fats from peanuts and peanut butter, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 21% compared to the average American Diet, whereas a low-fat diet reduced the risk by only 12%.

The National Peanut Board recommends including peanuts and peanut butter, in place of other foods high in unsaturated fats.

Other benefits of peanuts and peanut butter besides a source of protein:

Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral needed by every cell of the body. About half of the body's magnesium stores are found inside cells of body tissues and organs and half are combined with calcium and phosphorus in bone. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady and bones strong.

• Magnesium and Blood Pressure
  Evidence suggests that magnesium may play an important role in regulating blood pressure. Diets that provide plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of potassium and magnesium, are consistently associated with lower blood pressure.
• Magnesium and Heart Disease
  Magnesium deficiency can cause metabolic changes that may contribute to heart attacks and strokes. There is also evidence that low body stores of magnesium increase the risk of abnormal hearth rhythms, which may increase the risk of complications associated with a heart attack. In addition, dietary surveys have suggested that a higher magnesium intake is associated with a lower risk of stroke
• Magnesium and Osteoporosis
  Magnesium deficiency may be a risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis. This may be due to the fact that magnesium deficiency alters calcium metabolism and the hormone that regulates calcium. Several studies have suggested that magnesium supplementation may improve bone mineral density, but researchers believe that further investigation on the role of magnesium in bone metabolism and osteoporosis is needed.

Niacin
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that helps release the energy from food and aids the body in synthesizing DNA. It works with other compounds to help the body process fat and produce sugar while aiding the tissues to rid themselves of waste products. Niacin helps the body's skin, nerves and digestive system stay healthy. It improves circulation and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood and reduces high blood pressure.

Folate
Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin that is found in supplements and fortified foods. Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Folate is needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. It also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. Both adults and children need folate to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.

• Folic Acid and Heart Disease
  A deficiency of folate may increase your level of homocysteine, an amino acid normally found in your blood. There is evidence that an elevated homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The evidence suggests that high levels of homocysteine may damage coronary arteries or make it easier for blood clotting cells called platelets to clump together and form a clot. However, there is currently no evidence available to suggest that lowering homocysteine with vitamins will reduce your risk of heart disease. Clinical intervention trials are needed to determine whether supplementation with folic acid, can lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
• Folic Acid and Cancer
  Some evidence associates low blood levels of folate with a greater risk of cancer. Folate is involved in the synthesis, repair and functioning of DNA, and a deficiency of folate may result in damage to DNA that may lead to cancer. Several studies have associated diets low in folate with increased risk of breast, pancreatic and colon cancer. Researchers are continuing to investigate whether enhanced folate intake from foods or folic acid supplements may reduce the risk of cancer.