Peanuts are known as one of the best memory boosters, but you already know that. However, aside from this, peanuts also offer other benefits that are essential to your health.
Consumed as snacks in a lot of households, peanuts are available almost everywhere around the world. These legumes are family to other healthy nuts like almonds, cashews and the likes.
Here are the 12 benefits that you can get from peanuts:
#1: IMPROVES MEMORY
Peanut are usually called as the “brain food” due to its Vitamin B3 that is extremely excellent for brain function as well as to improve memory.
#2: IT IS GOOD FOR THE HEART
Peanuts contains a high level of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that has the ability to maintain a healthy heart. Moreover, peanuts consist of oleic acid that lessens bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in human body.
#3: IT HELPS IN WEIGHT LOSS
Peanuts have been studied in related to the maintenance of weight. It has a lot of calories and fats but it does not affect the increase of the body weight.
#4: INCREASES ENERGY
Peanuts are widely known because of its ability to boost energy. Peanuts contain of a huge number of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and nutrients that are most important source of energy.
#5: FIGHTS AGAINST DEPRESSION
Seratonin is a chemical that is indeed significant for the brain that can actually help in regulating the mood. Luckily, the amino acid tryptophan that can be found in peanuts may help in releasing serotonin that is why peanuts are also great in the prevention of depression.
#6: FIGHTS CANCER CELLS
It consists of polyphenolic antioxidants that is beneficial in stopping gastric cancer and it can also help in lessening the production of carcinogenic nitrosamines.
#7: SUPPORTS PREGNANCY AND PROTECTS THE BABY
Eating peanuts during pregnancy can also decrease the chance of some common allergic illnesses just like asthma in children.
#8: PREVENTS GALLSTONES
It is said that gallstones can actually affect between 10 to 25 percent of adults in the entire world. Regular consumption of peanuts can effectively lessen the chance of having gallstones. Studies have shown that only 30 grams of peanuts a day can help you in decreasing the risk of having this condition by 25%.
#9: IT PREVENTS WRINKLES AND AGING
Early signs of aging just like the discoloration, wrinkles and decreased elasticity of the skin is one of the most biggest cosmetic issue. Luckily, peanuts contain a huge number of Vitamin C that is important for the production of collagen.
#10: MAKES THE SKIN RADIANT AND TONED
The ingredients that can be found in peanuts has the ability to make the skin shiny and bright. Moreover, the dietary fiber that it contains can help the body in getting rid of extra toxins that makes the skin significantly soft and shiny.
#11: PREVENTS ALZHEIMER
According to a lot of studies, consuming foods that contains a huge amount of niacin just like peanuts can reduce the chance of having Alzheimer disease by at least 70%.
#12: REDUCES THE RISKS OF DIABETES
Diabetes and heart disease go hand in hand. After all, diabetics often have high cholesterol, which places them at a great risk of heart disease and other complications. Because peanuts are beneficial to the heart, they can be used to decrease the severity of diabetes.
Peanuts also have manganese, a trace mineral that regulates blood sugar. It offers protection from LDL cholesterol. Peanuts can be eaten in any form, raw or cooked, and still be a healthy choice for diabetics.
Preparation and Serving Methods
Peanut kernels are often consumed as is, by simply cracking them with firm pressure between fingers or using clippers or nutcracker machine.
They are nutty but pleasurably sweet in taste. Roasting enhances its taste, augment antioxidants level such as p-coumaric acid and it also helps in removing toxic aflatoxin.
Both roasted and crushed kernels are usually sprinkled over salads, desserts, particularly sundaes and other dairy-based preparations.
Boiled peanuts contain a unique flavor and taste. Boiling, as a matter of fact, develops their nutritional and antioxidants profile.
Peanuts butter is a finished product from roasted nuts, with or without the addition of oil.
Peanut “chutney” or paste is made up from these nuts, chili peppers, salt, coriander, leaves, garlic and also mustard seeds.
Peanut oil is another healthy source of appetizing cooking oil such as soy or olive oils.
Safety Notes
Peanut allergy is a type of hypersensitivity response in some people to certain food substances prepared using these nuts. As a result, the person may experience vomiting, stomach pain, swelling of lips and throat leading to breathing difficulties, chest congestion and the worst is death.