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Cracking open a peanut shell reveals an edible package of naturally protective nutrients. The fat, protein, and fiber in peanuts are all healthy and are plant-based. Research on peanuts shows that all of these components promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Peanuts and peanut butter are filled with many hard-to-get nutrients that have various roles in metabolism and health. People who eat peanuts tend to take in more key nutrients critical to health. In more than 15,000 people who consumed peanuts and peanut products, it was found that levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber were higher than those who did not consume peanuts (Griel, 2004). In a study that fed peanuts for three weeks, blood magnesium levels also increased to recommended levels in peanut eaters.
The story does not end here, because peanuts also provide unique bioactive components that act as antioxidants and have been shown to be disease preventative. Arginine, an amino acid that is high in peanuts, is a precursor to nitric oxide, which helps expand blood vessels and can decrease blood pressure. Resveratrol, also found in grapes and wine, improves longevity and performance, and reduces inflammation.
Peanuts also have significant levels of phytosterols. Phytosterols are well known for their ability to reduce cholesterol and new research is showing that they are cancer-preventative. Flavonoids are a class of compounds also found in peanuts that reduce inflammation and inhibit platelets from sticking to arteries.
Although you may not expect just a handful of such a tasty treat to provide so much nutrition, you can’t go wrong with the power-packed natural goodness of peanuts.
Click here to learn more about nutrient dense peanuts in a high quality, printable format.