 BE
A HEALTH NUT:
Eat Your Way to Good Health With Nuts
Peanuts are so fun to eat!
Peanuts are one of the most versatile, tasty, and convenient snacks.
It could be eaten as a “stand-alone” treat or could
be served as a filling to breads as peanut butter. It could also
be mixed with other types of nuts like cashew, peas, and beans to
create a variety of snacking. But, most importantly, peanuts are
packed with nutrients necessary to fuel the healthy body.
Peanut 101
Peanuts, otherwise known as "groundnuts", are considered
legume rather than nuts. Peanuts are the hard-nutlike seed of Arachis
Hypogaea L., an annual herbaceous vine of the pea family Leguminosae,
indigenous to South America and oftentimes believed to have originated
in Bolivia.
Health Benefits
Peanuts reduce risk of heart disease and cancer. Peanuts have resveratol,
a natural occurring plant compound or phytochemical, which shields
the plants from diseases. Resveratol is also found in red wine,
which is deemed responsible for the prevention of heart diseases
in wine drinkers. Based from various studies, resveratol serves
as a protection against atherosclerosis since it prevents the oxidation
of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood. It also prevents platelet
accumulation in the arteries. Such responses lessen the risks of
heart diseases. Moreover, it thwarts the spread of cancer due to
its plant chemical compound called plytosterols.
Contains Zero Cholesterol
Peanuts are a good alternative snack to health-conscious individuals
since it contains zero cholesterol. They also have nearly 80% of
unsaturated (good) fat content, which lessens the level of LDL (bad)
cholesterol. Aside from these, peanuts are also rich in fiber, important
for food sustenance. It also gives the feeling of “fullness”
as shown in one study. Result of this study illustrated that participants
who ate peanuts are tolerable to hunger for two and half hours compared
to those who ate other snacks whose tolerance have lasted only for
one hour and a half. For these reasons, peanuts are medically-recommended
for weight loss and diabetic diets.
Excellent Vitamin and Minerals Source
Peanuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals. The
essential vitamins found in it are Vitamin E, Niacin, Thiamin (B1),
B6, & Riboflavin (B2). Likewise vital minerals includes, Magnesium,
Copper, Phosphorous, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, & Calcium.
Be healthy, be happy, eat peanuts!
Sources:
The Peanut Institute -
http://www.peanut-institute.org/
American Peanut Council - http://www.peanutusa.com/
Beer Nuts - http://www.beer-nuts.com/
American Dietetic Association -
http://www.eatright.org/
Acne.Com - http://www.acne.com/
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