Reason to avoid peanuts = carcinogen. WTF?

[bendted]

This is an eye-opener and one of the most crazy / scary things I've learned in a long time.

'The fungus itself is not dangerous, but the poison it releases, known as "aflatoxin," is. This cancer-causing agent attacks the liver and is one of the more deadly food-borne toxins in existence.'

I've never heard of this danger. Google "peanut carcinogen" for more hits.

Is it an over reaction to quit eating p/b? I don't know, but for me it's a no-brainer and I certainly have quit. I now use almond butter exclusively which has a more intense flavor and a "better fat profile" than peanut butter.
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/...e-contaminated-but-there-are-safe-sources.htm

 

[looseliam]

You know, it seems everything today causes cancer.

I read somewhere that 100% of Americans will have EITHER heart disease or cancer.

So, I'm going to eat what I want.

 

[Fire]

A quick google search provided this: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA115491

I'm hardly citing Dr. Weil as a reliable source, but if a rabid holistic all-natural guru like him says he's not concerned, well...

IMO, if you're so worried about this, how about you do a little research? I mean, genuine research where you consult credible sources rather than some crappy health-nut website with a terrible layout and an large advertisement for their recommended "safe" brand of peanut butter at the end of an article telling you about how dangerous peanut butter is...

Seriously, that little endorsement should have immediately set off the alarms in your head about the impartiality of the article/potential conflicts of interest.

 

[bendted]

There's no need to get uppity with me. There are plenty of sources (scientific) that back up what I posted. I'd post them, but they'd fall on deaf ears, which is OK. Like I said in the OP, just Google "peanuts carcinogen" if one should be so inclined to look into it further. Granted, in retrospect I shouldn't have posted a site selling something. It's indisputable though, aflotoxin IS a carcinogen and is found in PB. Also, look at the rampant peanut allergies out there. That's the body rejecting a toxin.

 

[kallipolis]

For my own research work I use the following site, for its in depth analysis on a wide variety of foods:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=101

I quote the relevant paragraph pertinent to this thread:

quote

Peanuts and Aflatoxin

Peanuts are susceptible to molds and fungal invasions. Of particular concern is aflatoxin, a poison produced by a fungus called Aspergillus flavus. Although better storage and handling methods have virtually eliminated the risk of aflatoxin ingestion, aflatoxin is a known carcinogen that is twenty times more toxic than DDT and has also been linked to mental retardation and lowered intelligence. To help prevent aflatoxin ingestion, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also enforces a ruling that 20 parts per billion is the maximum of aflatoxin permitted in all foods and animal foods, including peanut butter and other peanut products. If purchasing raw peanuts, it is still wise to ensure that the peanuts have been stored in a dry, cool environment (the fungus grows when the temperature is between 86-96°F (30-36°C) and when the humidity is high). Roasted peanuts are thought to offer more protection against aflatoxin, plus roasting is also thought to improve peanuts' digestibility. If roasting peanuts at home, do so gently--in a 160-170° F (about 75°C) oven for 15-20 minutes--to preserve the healthy oils. For more on the effect of high heat roasting on nuts, please see the following article.

unquote

 

[Fire]

There's no need to get uppity with me. There are plenty of sources (scientific) that back up what I posted. I'd post them, but they'd fall on deaf ears, which is OK. Like I said in the OP, just Google "peanuts carcinogen" if one should be so inclined to look into it further. Granted, in retrospect I shouldn't have posted a site selling something. It's indisputable though, aflotoxin IS a carcinogen and is found in PB.

I never denied that peanuts and peanut products had measurable levels of aflatoxin--the question is whether it is a dangerous level.

Here's an article about aflatoxin found in almonds: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC186909/ Indeed, aflatoxin contamination is quite commonly found in a variety of cereal and tree nut crops, and government agencies and producers have established regulatory measures and testing procedures to account for this reality, though I won't attest to their effectiveness.

The point is, there might be some aflatoxins in your almond butter too. Better stop eating anything at all, just in case.

Also, look at the rampant peanut allergies out there. That's the body rejecting a toxin.

Rofl

 

[T-Rexx]

This is very old news.

In the 1960s or 1970s, the US Congress debated whether or not to ban the sale of peanut butter because of the aflatoxin problem.

Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed, and the primary source of nutrition for college students here is still available.

 

[birddog7]

I like peanuts, and peanut products, and will continue to eat them. I'm going to die from something, aflatoxin is probably just as good as any...