What is Peanut?
Peanut is a small annual dicotyledon herb growing up to a foot above the ground. It is thought to have originated in the Central Americas and from where it spread to rest of the world through Spanish explorers. Today, it is one of the widely cultivated oil-seed and established prime commercial crop in China, India, African nations, and the United States of America.
Delicious, crunchy, and nutty peanuts are one of the popular oil seeds known to humankind since centuries. The kernels are enriched with many noteworthy health-benefiting nutrients essential for optimum health and wellness. Peanuts are not nuts at all. They are actually legumes (like peas, beans and lentils).
Botanically, they are small sized, underground fruit pods of plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, in the genus, Arachis. Some of the common names are groundnut, earthnuts
Health Benefits of Peanut
Protects Skin: Vitamin E in peanuts helps in maintaining the integrity of cells of mucous membrane and the skin. This protects them from free radicals which cause great damage.
Reduces the Chances of Stroke: The anti-oxidant, Resveratrol in peanuts prevents heart strokes by increasing the production of nitric oxide.
Prevents Gallstones: Consumption of peanuts can help prevent gallstones. According to studies, eating an ounce of peanuts or peanut butter can lower the risk of developing gallstones by 25%
Growth: Peanuts are rich in proteins. The amino acids present in them are good for proper growth and development of body.
Cholesterol: It lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in the body. Peanuts contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic acid that prevents coronary diseases.
Improves Memory: Peanuts are often called the “brain food” as they contain Vitamin B3 or niacin which improves brain functioning and boosts memory. They also contain a flavonoid called resveratrol which helps in improving blood flow to the brain by 30%.
Uses of Peanut
Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts are picked from the ground, and boiled in the can in less than 24 hours
Make Peanut Oil, Peanut butter
Nutritional Value of Peanut
The nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. 100 g of peanuts provide about 85% of RDI of niacin, which contribute to brain health and blood flow to brain.
Peanuts are rich source of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, Arginine magnesium, zinc, selenium and Phytosterols, such as beta-sisterol.