Health Benefits of Peanuts

Interesting Facts You Probably Never Knew

Peanuts actually came from South America. The natives there ate peanuts as part of their regular diet. Peanuts were later placed on African slave boats that traveled to North America, and that's how they found their way here. Since that time, the natives of North America fell in love with the tasty legume, and it has since become "The All-American Peanut."

Peanuts are available in various forms- raw or roasted, shelled or unshelled, and salted or unsalted. They are enjoyed regularly at baseball games, at circuses, and as snacks on short airplane flights. It's probably enjoyed most when it's turned into a gooey butter and paired up with jelly in between two slices of bread. Approximately one hundred million jars of peanut butter are bought every year!

Not only do peanuts taste good, but they deliver a multitude of health benefits.
For example, peanuts are high in monounsaturated fats. These fats have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Peanuts are also rich in niacin, Vitamin E, magnesium and foliate.

Even though they are a legume- a vegetable- and not a fruit, peanuts contain resveratrol. Resveratrol is beneficial in protecting a person's body from cancer and viruses. Not only that, but it's an anti-inflammatory that can help slow down the aging process and promote longetivity.

Resveratrol is also found in red grapes. The reason that the French, who typically eat a diet that's high in fats, have a low percentage of heart disease, is attributed to the amount of wine they drink. Therefore, eating peanuts can also reduce your chances of heart disease as well.

Peanuts also contain a significant amount of powerful antioxidants. They are high in protein, provide energy, and are a good source of fiber.