Peanut butter causes chest and throat discomfort. Why? Peanuts are richer in fat than some other nuts, which means they exacerbate what's called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a bundle of muscles that look like a flap at the end of your oesophagus. Fatty meals relax the LES, which is bad. Your LES keeps your oesophagus sealed and protected from stomach acid.
Peanut butter could be making it hard for your oesophagus to swallow for another reason besides eating too much and needing a glass of water. You could have a slight allergy to peanuts, and not know it, which may be causing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) (EoE). Oh, my. EoE is a chronic immune system disease that can cause esophageal inflammation and make swallowing difficult.
Too much omega-6 fatty acids in peanuts can cause inflammation. As Sydney Greene, MS, RD told us previously, "Though safe and even beneficial in moderate amounts, the issue with omega-6s is that most Americans consume more [of it] than omega-3s, which throws off a healthy ratio. When the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 leans more toward 6, more inflammatory processes can occur in the body."
Peanuts are a superior substitute for high-saturated-fat diets since they are rich in unsaturated fatty acids (think, processed foods and red meat). Peanut oil is high in oleic acid, which helps maintain good cholesterol and blood pressure for heart health. This is true when peanuts replace harmful fats. A tablespoon of peanut butter with a few squares of dark chocolate is better than a pint of full-fat ice cream.
Peanuts contain aflatoxins. Molds on peanuts, grains, dried beans, dried fruits, and coffee produce aflatoxins. The National Cancer Institute says aflatoxins cause liver cancer in humans.
Peanut butter is caloric, therefore eating too much of it might cause weight gain. Remember, just two tablespoons of peanut butter clocks in at just under 200 calories. Remember this when spreading nut butter on toast. In moderation, right?