Which nut butter is the healthiest?

Often confused as a junk food, peanut butter is actually incredibly healthy (that is, when the label says '100% peanuts')! It's a source of protein and good fat and it's heart-healthy too. But it's also not the only healthy nut butter on the market. From cashew butter to butters made from seeds, we're about to break down the health benefits of each to find out where nut butter is really the healthiest.

Cashew butter has a relatively neutral taste compared to other nut butters and a creamier consistency too. It contains about 3g of protein per tablespoon, is full of phosphorus, copper, iron and magnesium and contains only half the amount of sugar that peanut butter does.

Almond butter contains more vitamin E than peanut butter and vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects your cells from damage!

Brazil nut butter is the best source of selenium in the world - aside from brazil nuts themselves of course. Selenium may reduce the risks of cancer particularly prostate cancer and skin cancer.

Walnut butter is high in omega-3 fats which help with normal heart rate and blood flow, reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and improve arthritis symptoms. Not too shabby. With 2.5g of omega-3 per 28g serving, walnuts contain five times more omega-3 fats than pecans, which have the next highest concentration.

Sunflower seed butter is a great nut butter alternative for anyone who suffers from a nut allergy. Sunflower seed butter has significantly more magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, and selenium than either almond or peanut butter!

Coconut butter is not be confused with coconut oil although it of course shares many of the same health benefits. It's made by pulverizing coconut flakes (or flesh) into a creamy butter that is rich in auric acid - which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and funguses.

The verdict: No two nut butters are born equal but all are born packed with health benefits! Unless you have specific dietary and vitamin requirements, you can pick and chose your nut butters depending on taste and preference and you'll still be fuelling up on all the nutritious benefits that nuts have to offer as part of a balanced diet.