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Does the Peanut Butter Diet Plan really work?
Recent research suggests that it does. A study by Harvard medical researchers
compared two groups of people on weight-loss diets. One group followed a low-fat
diet; the other followed a diet high in monounsaturated fat. The latter consumed
Mediterranean-style meals full of nuts, peanut butter, peanut oil, avocados
and olive oil. The study found that the higher monounsaturated-fat diet not
only lead to more weight loss, but those following it were able to stick with
the diet longer than those on the low-fat diet.
Meanwhile, a study by Purdue University found that peanut snacks satisfied
subjects to the point where they ate less of other foods.
Finally, a Penn State study found that a peanut-product-filled diet reduces
the risk of heart disease by 21% (as opposed to low-fat diets, which lower the
risk by only 12%). Peanut products in the diet also lowered triglycerides, fat-like
substances beneficial to the body in small doses but dangerous to the coronary
arteries in large amounts. Peanut products also raised levels of HDL—the “good”
cholesterol. Finally, the study found that peanuts and peanut butter added the
following to the diet:
· vitamin E
· folic acid
· soluble fiber
· arginine
· plant sterols
· copper
· zinc
· selenium
· magnesium
· phosphorus
· phytosterols
· resveratol
Some experts even suggest that peanut butter boosts testosterone levels.
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