Peanut Butter as the Ultimate Sports Performance Supplement? Find Out What the Hype is all About
You might spend a lot of time reading fitness industry publications or searching the Internet for the best health supplements, but sometimes you’re looking for a nutritional boost that’s easy and readily available at your local supermarket. Peanut butter as a performance sports supplement has shown promise among fitness pros and novices alike as it offers many of the same health benefits as other highly touted products. Here’s what the hype is all about.
Peanut butter is a good source of protein
When eaten in moderation – around two tablespoons – peanut butter has seven grams of protein. In itself, this amount isn’t all that earth-shattering, considering that a person who works out regularly and weighs 200 pounds needs about 100-150 grams per day. However, you can boost your protein intake by accompanying your PB sandwich with a glass of milk. Your snack soon weighs in at 28 grams of protein, which is a decent portion of your daily requirement.
It’s great for runners
Carbohydrates are great for endurance workouts like running, but some forms are better than others. Peanut better leads to a more satiated feeling of fullness, for a time period much longer than if you’d eaten pasta or crackers before an endurance run. That sensation can go a long way when you’re approaching the finish line of a 5K or mile 13 of a marathon.
The reason that peanut butter surpasses other high-carb foods lies in the source of the carbohydrates. Refined or simple sugars will send your insulin levels through the roof for a short time after you consume them, but they’ll drop quickly once you’re about halfway into a sweat session. The fat, protein and fiber in peanut butter enable the health benefits to be released slowly, over time.
Reduce your risk of heart disease
A PB&J sandwich isn’t a treat you need to relinquish to childhood memories because peanut butter as a performance sports supplement has a positive impact on heart health. It contains mono- and poly-unsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease when consumed as part of an overall healthy diet. Add it to smoothies or enjoy it as a snack on apples and bananas.
Peanut butter is an excellent source of nutrients
There are more heart health benefits in the vitamins and minerals included with every tablespoon of peanut butter. Folate, vitamin E, and magnesium have been shown to decrease your risk of heart disease while magnesium also reduces diabetes in adults. Peanut butter also contains zinc, which strengthens your immune system and keeps you in the game.
Peanut butter makes a quick, easy snack
The convenience of peanut butter puts it at the top of the list of sports supplements, as you can make up a sandwich in just a few minutes. You can also spread it on celery sticks, add it to a smoothie or enjoy it with an apple to further increase peanut butter’s healthful benefits.
These facts about peanut butter as a performance sports supplement might have you welcoming your favorite childhood sandwich back into your diet. So explore your options and start spooning up the benefits of peanut butter.