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Alpino

Super Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch

Name: Super Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch
Brand: Alpino

Use in moderation SafeShelf · review pending

NOVA 4high fiberno trans fatno artificial coloursno artificial sweetenerslow sodiumgluten-freelactose-freeenjoy in moderation

Serving

40 g

Pack

1000 g

Ingredients

Barcode

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01 — Ingredient mix

What’s in the box, ranked from most concerning.

Each ingredient gets a tier from our researched dossier. The list sorts worst-first; the donut summarises the distribution. Tap any ingredient for its full dossier.

Caution · 2 ingredients shown

Caution2 of 4 ingredients

Roasted PeanutsCaution

Chocolate (Natural Cocoa, Cocoa Butter, Sugar)Caution

Cleared 2▾

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root ExtractCleared

Emulsifier (E417 - 100% plant based)Cleared

02 — Claims audit

Every label claim, fact-checked.

We treat each claim as a question — does what’s inside back it up? Tap a claim for the reasoning.

2/9

claims fully supported

“26% Protein”true

Nutrition panel confirms 26g protein per 100g, which equals 26% by weight.

“100% Natural”misleading

Contains E417 (tara gum), a commercially purified galactomannan additive processed from Caesalpinia spinosa seeds, and KSM-66, a proprietary standardised extract; while both are plant-derived, neither is a whole or minimally processed food ingredient. 'Natural' is not a regulated term under FSSAI, making this claim unsubstantiated and potentially misleading.

“Super Peanut Butter”unverified

'Super' is a subjective marketing descriptor with no defined regulatory standard under FSSAI or any other applicable authority; no nutritional threshold or quality benchmark is cited.

“KSM-66 Ashwagandha - World's Best Ashwagandha”unverified

'World's Best' is a superlative marketing claim. KSM-66 is a well-researched, standardised ashwagandha extract with multiple clinical studies, but no internationally recognised independent benchmarking authority has designated it 'the world's best'; this designation originates from the ingredient manufacturer.

“21+ Health Benefits”unverified

No substantiation document, clinical study list, or regulatory-approved health claim framework supporting 21 or more distinct health benefits for this product or its ingredient combination is present in any of the four data sources reviewed.

“Clinically Tested”misleading

KSM-66 as an isolated ingredient has been the subject of multiple published clinical trials in adults. However, no clinical data for this specific peanut butter formulation are provided, and the claim as presented implies the finished product has been tested — which cannot be verified from available data.

“Reduce Stress”misleading

KSM-66 ashwagandha has published randomised controlled trial evidence supporting reduction of perceived stress and cortisol levels in adults at 300–600 mg/day. The dose present in this product is undisclosed (percentage not listed), making it impossible to confirm whether a clinically effective dose is delivered per serving.

“Boost Stamina”unverified

Some KSM-66 clinical studies report improvements in VO2 max and endurance in athletes. However, the dose in this product is not disclosed, and no product-level evidence is provided; the claim cannot be confirmed for this formulation.

“Curated with Mukesh Gahlot”true

EXTRA INFORMATION confirms Mukesh Gahlot is listed as the brand ambassador for this product.

03 — The fuller picture

Read the whole thing if a one-line verdict isn’t enough.

What’s in favour, and what’s working against it

In favour

High protein at 26g per 100g (~17% of energy from protein)
Good dietary fibre content — 6g per 100g
Zero trans fat confirmed across both label and serving data
Low added sugar: only 2.4g per 40g serving (4.8% RDA)
Predominantly healthy fats — MUFA 26.8g and PUFA 9.6g per 100g
Low sodium: 40.6mg per serving (2% RDA)

Working against

NOVA 4 ultra-processed: contains industrial emulsifier E417 and botanical isolate
Very high calorie density — 603 kcal per 100g
Saturated fat 9.26g per 100g (16.8% RDA per serving)
KSM-66 ashwagandha is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation
Roasted peanuts significantly heighten allergenicity vs. raw peanuts
Aflatoxin contamination risk in peanuts — relevant for liver-compromised consumers

Who should approach with care

Nut Allergy — Roasted peanuts are the dominant ingredient (87%); roasting increases IgE-binding capacity of major peanut allergens (Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3) up to 90-fold, making this product a severe anaphylaxis risk for peanut-allergic individuals.

Pregnancy — KSM-66 ashwagandha has historically been described as a potential abortifacient and was explicitly excluded from all its clinical trials; additionally, cocoa contributes caffeine and theobromine that cross the placenta, and peanut allergy risk warrants physician consultation.

Lactation — KSM-66 ashwagandha has no human safety data during breastfeeding and was excluded from clinical trials; caffeine and theobromine from cocoa are secreted into breast milk and may disturb nursing infants.

Infants — Infants cannot metabolise methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine) in cocoa; ashwagandha has no safety data for this age group; peanut introduction in infants with eczema or egg allergy requires physician-supervised protocols.

Children — Peanut accounts for ~75% of severe allergic reactions in children; cocoa contributes caffeine and cadmium exposure at high intakes; ashwagandha has not been evaluated for safety in paediatric populations.

Liver Disease — KSM-66 ashwagandha has documented rare cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI); peanuts carry aflatoxin B1 contamination risk (IARC Group 1 carcinogen), which is particularly hazardous for individuals with pre-existing hepatic impairment.

Thyroid Disease — Ashwagandha can modulate T3/T4 thyroid hormone levels and may interact with thyroid medications; individuals with hypo- or hyperthyroidism should seek medical advice before consuming this product.

Epilepsy — Ashwagandha has GABAergic and CNS-modulating activity; interactions with anti-epileptic drugs and effects on seizure threshold have not been ruled out in clinical studies.

Diabetes — Contains sucrose (added sugar 6g/100g) which can cause postprandial glucose spikes; cocoa butter and high caloric density require careful portion management for individuals managing glycaemia.

Heart Disease — High saturated fat from cocoa butter (palmitic acid fraction raises LDL) combined with caffeine and theobromine from cocoa that can elevate heart rate and blood pressure warrants medical guidance in those with established cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension — Saturated fat in cocoa butter is associated with endothelial dysfunction; sucrose at habitual high intake is linked to raised blood pressure; overall fat and caloric density should be moderated.

Kidney Disease — Cocoa powder has high oxalate content promoting calcium oxalate kidney stone formation; sucrose-driven metabolic effects accelerate chronic kidney disease progression; portion restriction is advised.

Migraine — Cocoa contains phenylethylamine and caffeine, both recognised dietary migraine triggers in susceptible individuals.

Ibs — Multiple ingredients exacerbate IBS: peanuts (FODMAPs, high fat), cocoa (caffeine and theobromine stimulate gut motility), sucrose (fermentation risk), and tara gum E417 (fermentable galactomannan substrate).

Ibd — High-fat content (cocoa butter, peanuts) may worsen fat malabsorption in active IBD; tara gum E417 alters gut microbiota fermentation; ashwagandha GI side effects (loose stools, nausea) may exacerbate flares.

Other — Individuals with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid this product as ashwagandha (KSM-66) may raise testosterone levels, potentially stimulating tumour growth per NCCIH guidance.

The full analysis

This product is popular among fitness-conscious adults and gym-goers drawn to its high protein content (~26g/100g), chocolate flavour, and the novelty of KSM-66 ashwagandha — a well-researched adaptogen. The core base is nutritionally credible: roasted peanuts dominate at 87%, delivering healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats, dietary fibre (6g/100g), and substantial protein. However, the presence of a food-grade emulsifier (E417) and an industrial botanical extract (KSM-66) places this firmly in NOVA 4 ultra-processed territory despite the relatively clean ingredient list. Added sugar is modest (6g/100g, 2.4g per serving), and sodium is low. The single most useful thing a curious consumer should know is that ashwagandha makes this product unsuitable during pregnancy or lactation and warrants medical clearance for anyone on thyroid medication, anti-epileptics, or with liver disease — groups for whom the adaptogen carries documented risk.

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Analysis

Independently researched