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Why its Healthy, Yet Not A Nut!

Todays Health Article

December 2010

The nut that’s not really a nut. Could this be, that most people believe this not a nut to be of of the nut family, but indeed is not at all.This article might catch some people by surprise. Can you guess what nut by its given name, is not. For those now searching for the answer, I will save you the trouble. Actually, I found one today, that fit this question. First, one that might come to mind is the Peanut. Perhaps you may of thought of others, that are seeds, but have been given names like the Pine Nut.

The Nut that’s not a Nut

The peanut, or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), is a species in the legume or “bean” family (Fabaceae). Peanuts are known by other names such as earthnuts, ground nuts, goober peas, monkey nuts, pygmy nuts and pig nuts.

The peanut has yellow pea like flowers which are only in bloom for about half a day. These flowers are able to self pollinate.Usually in about 4 days or so, a stem, sometimes called a peg, will grow from the flower and head into the soil. At the end of each stem, the seed pods (peanuts in the shell) will grow. The peanut being an annual plant, is harvested upon the pods maturing, approximately 120 to 150 days, after the seeds are planted.

Health Benefits

You may be surprised that the roasted peanuts, rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries. They are far richer in antioxidants than carrots or beets.A team of University of Florida scientists conducted a research, 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%.^{“Peanuts: Wolds Healthiest Foods”. Whfoods.com.}

Peanuts are rich in nutrients, providing over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Peanuts are a good source of niacin, folate, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese and phosphorus. They also are naturally free of trans-fats and sodium, and contain about 25% protein (a higher proportion than in any true nut).http://www.weightlossforall.com/protein-nuts.htm

What you may Not Know

*Peanuts not suitable for the edible market are used in the production of peanut oil.

*The protein cake (oilcake meal) residue from oil processing is used as an animal feed and as a soil fertilizer.

*Low grade peanuts are also widely sold as a garden bird feed.

*Peanuts have a variety of industrial end uses.

Paint, varnish, lubricating oil, leather dressings, furniture polish, insecticides, and nitroglycerin are made from peanut oil.
Soap is made from saponified oil, and many cosmetics contain peanut oil and its derivatives.
The protein portion of the oil is used in the manufacture of some textile fibers.
Peanut shells are used in the manufacture of plastic, wallboard, abrasives, fuel, cellulose (used in and paper) and (glue).
Rudolf Diesel ran some of the first engines that bear his name on peanut oil and it is still seen as a potentially useful fuel.http://www.hempcar.org/diesel.shtml

Todays Health Comments

Sometimes it’s enjoyable to write a different or nutty article. Yet peanuts are one of the most widely used for so many purposes, food and industrial. I think George Washinton Carver missed a few,when he wrote the 300 way to use a peanut. The health benefits are enormous and should definitly be included in ones diet. The roasted provide great benefits and are great snacks as long as you leave the salt alone. Moderation should be considered since they are also high in fiber.