Peanuts - Health Benifits
Family : Fabaceae
Common names:Peanuts are known by many other local names such as earthnuts, ground nuts, goober peas, monkey nuts, pygmy nuts and pig nuts.
Peanuts are actually part of the legume family, like beans and lentils.Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), also referred to as groundpeas or groundnuts, are an annual herbaceous legume with an indeterminate growth habit. As these alternate names imply, this unique plant produces its fruit (peanut) below ground. Once the small yellow flowers are self-pollinated, the fertilized ovary elongates into a “peg,” which grows downward and penetrates into the soil. Peanuts develop underground at the ends of the pegs. The peanut seed is referred to as a kernel and the outer shell is called a pod or hull.
Contrary to what their name implies, peanuts are not true nuts but a member of a family of legumes
related to peas, lentils, chickpeas and other beans. Peanuts start growing as a ground flower that due to its heavy weight bends towards the ground and eventually burrows underground where the peanut
actually matures. The veined brown shell or pod of the peanut contains two or three peanut kernels.
Each oval-shaped kernel or seed is comprised of two off-white lobes that are covered by a brownish-red
skin.
The nutritional benefits provided by peanuts are:
- Healthy fats
- Antioxidants, e.g. Vitamins and Minerals
- Good protein source
- Phytochemicals
- Beta-sitosterol
- Low Glycaemic Index
- Low in Sodium
- Fibre
- Cholesterol free
- Resveratrol
Peanut research has identified eating 5 or more servings (25 grams) a week can:
- Prevent Type II Diabetes
- Decrease the risk of Cardiovascular disease
- Assist in lowering Cholesterol
- Assist in weight loss, via hunger suppression
- Protection against Alzheimer disease
- Lower Total and LDL Cholesterol
Unsaturated fats, dietary fiber, plant sterols Helps lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol accumulations which associated with artherosclerosis and heart disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids Help prevent dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks.
L-arginine Improves the health of artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.
Vitamin E May help to stop plaques development in arteries which can cause narrowing and lead to chest pain, heart disease or heart attack.
Magnesium May help prevent ventricle arrhythmia.
Copper Reduces blood cholesterol and blood pressure.
Folic acid Decrease blood homocysteine levels.
Peanuts are a very good source of monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that is emphasized in the heart healthy Mediterranean diet.
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