• A Nut Primer
• Frequently Asked Questions About Our Nutter Butters

• Health Facts of Almonds
• Health Facts of Peanuts
• Health Facts of Cashews
• Health Facts of Macadamia Nuts

• More Nut Resources
• Health & Nutrition
• Allergies
• Additional Information

A Nut Primer

Why are nuts so good for you?

• Nuts are such an excellent source of protein that they are put in the meat category of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid.
• Nuts contain no cholesterol, and are good sources of minerals and nutrients.
• Nuts are also typically high in the "good" kinds of fat. Some nuts can even lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol.
• The FDA has identified polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats as "good" fats for cholesterol health. The fats in nuts are overwhelmingly of these two types.

Recent Major Health-Related Nut Studies:*

• Physician's Health Study of 22,000 men, Iowa Women's Health Study of 40,000 women, and the Harvard Nurses Health Study of 86,000 women. One conclusion that all of these studies shared was that nut consumption lowered the incidence of heart disease. (Click Here for Details)
• A study of 31,000 Seventh Day Adventists conducted by Loma Linda University in California discovered that not only did eating nuts lower the risk of heart disease, but surprisingly, also helped participants to keep their weight down. It is speculated that the "good" fat in nuts helps to satisfy appetites, so that people can manage to trim other possible calories throughout the day. (Click Here for Details)
• Studies at both Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health concluded that people on a Mediterranean-style diet, one that is moderate in fat intake, were more successful in keeping weight off for longer than their counterparts on a traditional low fat diet. The participants in the Mediterranean group substituted their usual saturated fat foods such as butter, certain dressings and sauces, with mono and polyunsaturated fats such as nut butters, nuts, and healthy oils. (Click Here for Details)

Heart Health, Nuts, & the FDA:

Multiple large-scale studies in recent years are pointing to the conclusion that nuts are extremely beneficial to good health. The claims for certain nuts range from reducing heart disease risks, facilitating weight loss, to lowering the prevalence of Adult Type 2 diabetes. In July 2003, the FDA approved the first qualified health claim for a food. The claim can be used on package labels and states:

"Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of some nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

Are Nuts for Everyone?

By most accounts, nuts are proven to be a healthful addition to most people's diets for all of the reasons outlined earlier. However, there are some people who should not be eating nuts due to allergies. According to research, nearly 1 percent of Americans, or 3 million people, have tree nut allergies of some kind. Reactions run from mild to life threatening. Many of the allergic have become expert label readers. Some carry epinephrine injectors with them at all times. For others, Medic Alert bracelets are considered mandatory. Additionally, some foods, including almonds, cashews, and peanuts, contain naturally occurring organic acids called oxalates. A small percentage of people with rare health conditions cannot metabolize oxalates well, and are put on oxalate restricted diets. These conditions include absorptive hypercalciuria type II, and several hyperoxaluria conditions.

Aflatoxins:

Aflatoxins are carcinogens that come from a naturally occurring mold found on foodstuffs. Corn and peanuts can be susceptible, especially if they are processed or stored in a hot and wet environment. Aflatoxins have been extensively studied for more than 40 years, and the USDA and FDA permit minute "safe" levels in foods. With such awareness, modern handling, sorting, storage, and climate control techniques, aflatoxins have been strictly controlled. Our peanuts are tested and we know that our products are virtually free of aflatoxins.

Health Facts of Almonds   

In July 2003, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first qualified health claim for a food for use on package labels. The claim states,

"Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

More information at: International Tree Nut Council

A 2002 study found that almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.

More information at: American Heart Association®

• Almonds average 20 percent protein, among the highest of all nuts.
• Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein.
• Rich in the anti-oxidant vitamin E, as well as calcium.
• High in monounsaturated fats, which reduces "bad" LDL cholesterol.
• May reduce the risk of colon and perhaps lung cancer.
• May help with weight loss, and possibly be beneficial to Type II diabetics.

More information at: The World's Healthiest Foods

Health Facts of Peanuts   

In July 2003, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first qualified health claim for a food for use on package labels. The claim states,

"Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as peanuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

More information at: International Tree Nut Council

• Contain more protein than any other legume or nut.
• High in monounsaturated fats, which reduces "bad" LDL cholesterol.
• May reduce risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Good source of copper, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and folic acid.
• Rich in fiber and vitamin E.
• May help to lower the risk of heart disease.
• Comprised of important plant chemicals, such as phytosterols, thought to help fight heart disease and cancer.

More information at: The Peanut Institute

Health Facts of Cashews   

• Good source of copper, magnesium, and calcium.
• High in monounsaturated fat.
• High in heart-friendly oleic acid, the monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil.

More information at: The World's Healthiest Foods

Health Facts of Macadamia Nuts   

• High in fiber.
• Nutritious, high in protein and full of healthy fats.
• Recommended for low carb followers as an energy-providing snack or substitute for salty chips.

More information at: Nambucca Macadamia Nuts

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Information about Trans Fat.
• World's Healthiest Foods - Almonds, Cashews
• International Tree Nut Council - Includes 17 pages of journal citations for nut-health related articles.
• International Tree Nut Council - Council memo heralding FDA pro-nut/heart position.
• American Heart Association - The benefits of almonds on cholesterol benefits.
• The Peanut Institute - Results of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Study and The Harvard School of Public Health Study, appeared in the International Journal of Obesity. Discusses the Mediterranean diet, and the nut/health connection.
• Diabetes News - Study: Almonds help dieters lose weight.
• More information at: International Nut Council

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration - For tree nut allergy information.
• P/S/L Research's Doctor's Guide - Tree nut article citing the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

• Food Science Web - New Zealand and Swedish collaborative research report on oxilates in food.
• Environment, Health and Safety Online - Aflatoxins in Your Food - and Their Effect on Your Health