***Food and Healthy Lifestyle| Peanut: Health and Nutritional Benefits***
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) also known as groundnut belongs to the legumes family and it is not a true nut. Peanut taste and nutritional profile is similar to walnuts and almonds. Peanut is known for its unique taste and a good composition of peanut are essential minerals, phyto-minerals, Phytochemicals, antioxidants and vitamins. Majority of the people tend to see peanut as food that tends to increase the fatty content of the body thereby causing grievous health issues, which is not technically true although it is has a high fat content.. At the end of reading this write up you will be better educated about the health and nutritional capacity of peanut.
***Health Benefits***
**Supplies Heart Friendly Fats**
Peanut is very rich in fats but these fats are the one that are heart friendly fat, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that keep the heart healthy. The type of fat present in the peanut helps in reducing blood cholesterol levels as well as reducing the chances of having coronary heart diseases.
**Reduces Depression**
Peanuts are known to be good sources of tryptophan, an essential amino acid which is important for the production of serotonin, one of the key brain chemicals involved mood regulation. When depression occurs ,a decreased amount of serotonin may be released by the nerve cells in the brain.
**Boost Memory Power**
Peanut provides minerals and vitamins that promote a massive power. Vitamin B12 or niacin boosts so many memories which makes peanut to be tagged brain food.
**Promotes Weight Loss**
Peanut has been erroneously tagged as nothing but fat suppliers’ food. Despite been high in fat and calories, it does not contribute totally contribute to weight gain. Several studies carried out by different bodies found out that peanut contain health friendly fat and the fat do not increase the fatty content of the body. Peanuts are very filling, and can be considered an effective component of weight loss diet. Research carried out over some people feeding on peanuts for months indicate that their weight do no increase.
**Reduces cholesterol Levels**
Peanut is made up of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are health friendly and helps in reducing the cholesterol content of the body. The presence of vitamin B3 helps lower and controls cholesterol levels. Peanut also has copper which is an important chemical compound that helps in reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol levels.
**Supplies Antioxidant**
Peanut skins are rich in phenolic compounds, which go to say that they are antioxidant rich. Antioxidants, on the hand, help protect the body from oxidative stress, which occurs in cases of various cancers and diseases. They are powerful substances, which prohibit (and in some cases even prevent), the oxidation of other molecules in the body. Different types of antioxidant are present in peanut, such as p-Coumaric acid, Resveratrol, Iso-flavones and Phytosterols
***Nutritional benefits***
- Peanuts are high in fat, consisting mostly of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are often used to make peanut oil. For a plant food, peanuts are an exceptionally good source of protein.
- Peanuts are low in carbs; this makes them a good dietary choice for people with diabetes.
- Peanuts are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. These include biotin, copper, niacin, Folate, manganese, vitamin E, thiamin, phosphorus, and magnesium
- . Peanuts contain various plant compounds which include antioxidants, such as coumaric acid and resveratrol, as well as anti-nutrients like phytic acid.
*** Peanut Diet***
- It can be roasted and taken as snacks.
- It can be processed into other food products.
- Peanuts can be used as an ingredient in producing other food items.
- Peanuts are used to make soup, for example groundnut soup.
***Risks***
Many people are allergic to peanuts and need to avoid them. Peanut allergy can be life-threatening in severe cases. Peanuts contain phytic acid, which impairs the absorption of iron and zinc. If stored under warm and humid conditions, peanuts can become contaminated with aflatoxin, which may cause liver problems. However, being high in fat, peanuts are a high-calorie food and should not be eaten in excess
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