To eat or not to eat Peanuts

There is a myth about peanuts here in the Philippines. That if you eat peanuts it will cause pimples. And sadly, this is being used by beauty products on TV ads. This is so not true. Peanut is a good source of Vitamin E.

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Even though peanuts are not certifiably nuts, their nutritional properties resemble that of real nuts so closely that they are commonly referred to as nuts. Peanuts are a great source of concentrated protein — they are about 20-30% protein. They are also packed with vitamins and are rich in potassium and B vitamins (especially niacin).

Peanuts are a very good source of monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that is emphasized in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. Studies of diets with a special emphasis on peanuts have shown that this little legume is a big ally for a healthy heart.

In addition to their monounsaturated fat content, peanuts feature an array of other nutrients that, in numerous studies, have been shown to promote heart health. Peanuts are good sources of vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese. In addition, peanuts provideresveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant also found in red grapes and red wine.

Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthful fat found in olive oil, but new research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as many fruits.

While unable to boast an antioxidant content that can compare with the fruits highest in antioxidants, such as pomegranate, roasted peanuts do rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets.

Research conducted by a team of University of Florida scientists, published in the journal Food Chemistry, shows that peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid, and that roasting can increase peanuts’ p-coumaric acid levels, boosting their overall antioxidant content by as much as 22%.

If you’re interested on reading more about peanuts, here is a link http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=101.

I just want to point out that Peanut is one of the healthiest food that people shouldn’t avoid eating (unless you’re allergic). And advertisers here in the Philippines should avoid using this myth about peanuts just to boost their sales. Otherwise, these Ads should be considered false advertising.