Given the health properties of peanut butter, it’s fitting that the popular spread was invented by a doctor to serve as a health food. Although peanuts have been around for much longer, peanut butter is considered to be relatively new.

We all know peanuts are one of the healthiest and most cost-effective snack options available. What you might not know is the extent to which peanuts are researched and studied. As one of the most popular snacking items worldwide, much attention is paid to learning more about what retailers and consumers want in a quality snack item.

A few peanuts a day could keep the doctor away, says a recent study from the University of Alberta. The study indicates that supplementation with high doses of resveratrol – the polyphenol found in modest amounts in peanuts, grapes and some red wines – can improve the metabolic health of obese men. These findings, featured in the May 2012 edition of Journal of Physiology, contribute to the idea that consuming this supplement could provide beneficial effects in the body and as a therapeutic intervention.

It’s that time of year again when kids pack away their swimming trunks and haul out their backpacks. With this comes back-to-school shopping for school supplies, lunches and afternoon snacks. What better time to capitalize on the year’s second highest retail sales time than now?

The Peanut Bureau of Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its new website. Designed with a user-friendly experience and graphic presentation of information on peanuts, the new site has something for everyone.

Vitamins and minerals are essential to one’s health, but navigating which ones provide what benefits can be difficult to do. Statistics show that magnesium is a necessary vitamin for cardiovascular health and especially helps to keep the occurrence of a stroke at bay. If you are concerned with taking care of your ticker, consider eating more nuts and nut butters to get your daily dose of protein and magnesium.

Over the years, many health studies have emerged that conclude that nuts are extremely beneficial to good health (this isn’t news to us!). The claims are plentiful and point to the power of peanuts. Let’s take a closer look at why USA-grown peanuts should have a commanding presence in homes across Canada.

Is snacking bad for you? Your first instinct may be to agree with this statement, but don’t be too quick to judge. Read on and you just might be surprised at what you can learn about snacking.

It’s safe to say that peanut butter is the best thing since sliced bread, or should we say, the thing that goes best with sliced bread. Peanut butter can be added to many recipes and makes for a healthy snack at a fraction of the cost of other processed foods. But, many are not aware of the possibilities of peanut butter – they’re endless and underused. While the classic PB&J is great, use your imagination next time you’re in the kitchen.

We all know that peanut butter has long been a favourite in Canadian households, but did you know that peanut butter has some pretty interesting uses other than the peanutty eats we know and love?

Who could have predicted last year's perfect peanut storm! In 2011, the combination of reduced peanut acreage, coupled with severe drought and high heat experienced by many U.S. peanut-producing states (especially in Texas), resulted in lower-than-normal yields and ultimately today's significantly tightened availability. In 2012, it's anticipated that more acreage may be devoted to high-value U.S. peanuts versus other row crops such as corn, cotton and sorghum in peanut-producing states. In a recent report by the United States Department of Agriculture, it is prospected that due to the higher demand for peanuts, peanut growers intend to increase their peanut planting by 25 per cent in 2012.

The 2012 International Peanut Forum (IPF) will be held at the Krasnapolsky Hotel, Amsterdam, April 11-13. The program will include sessions on sustainability; EU regulations affecting peanut trade; the latest on nutrition research; product innovation; and the all-important supply and demand panel discussions.