Short Answer: Peanut butter is good for arthritis. Because it has magnesium, vitamin E, and arginine, and they can reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints, which are the places where your bones connect.
In arthritis, your body’s immune system attacks your own joint tissues, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling.
This can lead to various health problems, such as reduced mobility, joint damage, and disability.
One of the key factors in managing arthritis is diet.
What you consume can affect your inflammation levels, which can impact your arthritis symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage arthritis, you should consume omega-3 fatty acids rich foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds and avoid omega-6 fatty acids rich foods like corn, sunflower, and vegetable oils.
Now, peanut butter is a paste made from roasted peanuts, which are technically legumes, not nuts.
People usually eat peanut butter as a spread on bread, crackers, or fruit, or as an ingredient in baked goods, sauces, or smoothies.
Peanut butter is good for arthritis because it contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as magnesium, vitamin E, and arginine.
However, this may depend on the type of arthritis you have.
For example, peanut butter may be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, but not for gout, which is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood.
Two tablespoons of peanut butter can give you about 8 grams of protein, 16 grams of fat (mostly unsaturated), 6 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 188 calories.
It can also provide you with 12% of your daily magnesium requirement, 10% of your daily vitamin E requirement, and 4% of your daily arginine requirement.
Magnesium can reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis by relaxing the muscles and nerves around the joints.
Vitamin E can protect the joint tissues from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals.
Arginine can improve blood flow and circulation to the joints by dilating the blood vessels.
Furthermore, peanut butter is a plant-based food and plant-based foods are good for arthritis.
Because, they can lower the levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, and increase the levels of adiponectin, a protein that has anti-inflammatory effects.
You can eat up to two tablespoons of peanut butter per day safely.
More than that can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which can worsen your arthritis and increase your risk of heart disease.
Also, you shouldn’t eat peanut butter if you have a peanut allergy to prevent anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Because, peanut butter contains peanut proteins that can trigger your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals that cause swelling, itching, and breathing difficulties.
You can buy fresh peanut butter in your local market or can order it online.
Always choose peanut butter that has only one or two ingredients: peanuts or peanuts and salt.
Because, some peanut butter products may contain added sugar, hydrogenated oils, or preservatives that can increase inflammation and harm your health.
You can store peanut butter in a cool, dry place for up to three months, or in the refrigerator for up to six months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing arthritis effectively.
I always recommend my arthritis patients to follow an arthritis-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.