Nutritional Profile

Peanuts provide 567 calories per 100gm; 49g of fat, 18mg of sodium, 26g of protien, 705mg of potassium and 16g of carbohydrate.

Interesting facts

· As early as 1500 B.C., the Incans of Peru used peanuts as sacrificial offerings and entombed them with their mummies to aid in the spirit life.

· Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth.

· It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.

· Two peanut farmers have been elected president of the USA – Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.

· Astronaut Allen B. Sheppard brought a peanut with him to the moon.

Health benefits

· Peanuts contain vitamins, minerals, nutrients and anti-oxidants and thus, are rich energy sources.

· They lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in the body. Peanuts contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, that prevents coronary diseases.

· These nuts are rich in proteins. The amino acids present in them are good for proper growth and development of the body.

· Vitamin E in peanuts helps in maintaining the integrity of cells of mucous membrane and the skin. This provides protection from free radicals which cause great damage.

· Manganese in peanuts helps in calcium absorption, metabolism and sugar level regulation in blood.

Study

Research studies have shown that peanuts contain high concentrations of polyphenolic antioxidants, primarily p-coumaric acid. This compound has been thought to reduce the risk of stomach cancer by limiting the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the stomach.