The Healthy Side of Being a Peanut Eater

As long as you’re not allergic to peanuts they can boast some health benefits that are worth becoming familiar with.

Peanuts are part of the legume family which also includes a selection of beans and peas. They are a crop that grows annually and look very much like a clover plant as they are growing. While most of us think of peanuts to be nuts (the word “nut” is in the word after all!) they are actually legume seeds.

Peanuts Equal Protein (and Other Good Things)

Whole peanuts are beneficial to the human body because they are a rich source of protein. To use an example, for every 100 gram serving of peanuts there is 25 grams of protein. They are also a tremendous source of energy for the body.

There is good and bad fat in peanuts. Approximately half of the fat contained in peanuts is monounsaturated (the good kind) while a third is polyunsaturated fat. On the negative side, approximately a fifth of the fat is the bad kind- saturated fat. The polyunsaturated fat consists of a small percentage of omega-3 which the body needs. When buying peanut butter read the labels closely. Some kinds are fortified with omega-3 because they contain flaxseed oil. This is a good thing because it means that there is a good balance between the omega-3 fatty acids and the omega-6’s.

Studies have shown that peanuts are a good source of niacin (otherwise known as vitamin B3). This vitamin is effective at raising the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. Peanuts are also a good source of vitamin E and are abundant in antioxidants which mean that they do a good job in fighting illnesses, infections and diseases.

Peanuts and nuts in general contain a bioflavonoid known as reservatrol. Red wine and grapes contain the same healthy substance. Reservatrol slows down the aging process and it discourages plaque to build up in the arteries. Peanuts contain a higher percentage of reservatrol than grapes do. A small handful of peanuts (or what amounts to a one ounce serving) will provide you with nine percent of the fiber that you require on a daily basis. Research studies have also found that consuming small amounts of peanuts or peanut butter regularly can reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) in your blood by as much as 14 percent.

Peanut Allergy Concerns

It is an unfortunate reality that there are some individuals who are allergic to peanuts and any kind of peanut product. Consuming even a small helping of peanuts can give rise to a severe allergic reaction in these individuals. Some people suffer from it to the point where exposure to peanuts could send them into anaphylactic shock. This can be fatal if not treated immediately. This is why individuals who suffer from such an allergy must take great care not to come into contact with peanuts in any manner.

Allergies to peanuts are largely a mystery to the medical community. Some people outgrow an allergy to peanuts while others will have to live with it for the duration of their lives. It has been theorized that the processing of peanuts is done differently in North America than it is in other parts in the world such as China or India. In these countries peanut allergies are practically unheard of while they are common in both Canada and the United States. Studies in this area are ongoing as no conclusive findings related to peanut allergies have been found to date.

Whether you love them or hate them or are on the fence about them, peanuts are good for your body. As long as you do not suffer from an allergy to them, enjoy peanuts in small quantities. Be mindful of their fat content and choose salt free varieties whenever possible.

Becca