Nut Butters & Spreads

Intro
Producers
Raw Butters
Organic

Nut Butters and Spreads

We all know nuts are a great source of protein, fibre and essential fatty acids and can be an important part of our diet, and can be used to replace butter or margarine on bread or toast. Traditionally we've all eaten Peanut butter but now there is a much great variety of butters available, these include :

Almond Butter - is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals Almonds are packed with many important B-complex group of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These vitamins functions as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism. Almonds are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Almonds are also act as an good source of vitamin E.

Cashew Nut Butter – as with Almonds Cashew nuts are a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Cashew nuts are rich in “heart friendly” monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic acids that help to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. Cashew nuts are very rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Cashews are also rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and thiamin (vitamin B-1).

Hazel Nut Butter – Hazel nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals they are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic and essential fatty acid linoleic acid that help to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. Hazel nuts are especially in folate which is unique to nuts, good news for expectant mums. Hazel nuts are an excellent source of vitamin E. Hazel nuts have high levels of many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), and folates. Hazels are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Peanut Butter – Peanuts have many health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Peanuts are especially, rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acids that help to lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol". Peanuts contain high concentrations of poly-phenolic anti-oxidants, primarily in p-coumaric acid; which is believed to reduce the risk of stomach cancer by reducing the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Peanuts are a great source of vitamin E.

Pecan Butter - Pecans are a good source of protein and unsaturated fats such as oleic acid and an excellent source of antioxidants. Pecan nuts are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including polyphenolic antioxidant ellagic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Research studies have been suggestive of that these compounds help body remove toxic oxygen free radicals and thus, protect body from diseases, cancers as well as infections. Pecans are an excellent source of vitamin-E. The nuts are packed with many important B-complex group of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.

Pecans are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Pumpkin Butter - Pumpkin seeds contain most of the B vitamins, along with C, D, E, and K. They also have the minerals calcium, potassium, niacin, and phosphorous. Pumpkins are very high in potassium, and have good amounts of beta carotene and vitamin C. They are also a good source of calcium and fibre, and as well as other vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and unsaturated fatty acids (good fats).

Sunflower Spread – Sunflowers are a good source of potassium and phosphorous, Sunflower seeds are a good source of B1.

Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste) - Tahini is a source of calcium, protein and B vitamins. Tahini is a good source of essential fatty acids (EFA), these EFA's are used in helping to maintain healthy skin. Tahini is a source of vitamin E which helps to reduce the rate of ageing in body cells. Sesame seeds are also a good source of the amino acid Methionine. Methionine is an important contributor to liver detoxification and helps with the absorption of other amino acids.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged the importance of eating nuts and have approved the following qualified health claim: "Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pecans, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."