Monday, September 13, 2010

Health Benefits of Peanuts

The peanut is a grassy plant belonging to the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), native of Brazil and cultivated a little all over the world. The edible seeds of this plant are subject to intensive agricultural and industrial activities. From the pressing of peanut oil is obtained the same name, quality suitable for human consumption. It is high smoke point, the cost substantially lower than in olive oil and a delicate flavor, making it particularly suitable for frying food.

In America, peanuts are consumed mainly in the form of a preparation called buttery peanuts butter (butter peanut). This food is very popular in Europe where they consume mostly roasted peanut. In this trade are both woody pods that preparations shelled roasted, salted and eventually crushed.

From the nutritional point of view groundnuts have some interesting features. First have a good protein and a moderate amino acid profile (including foods are richer in arginine). The Peanuts are rich in certain minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and copper. Also the fiber content (25 g/100 g food) and vitamin E is particularly high.

Although free cholesterol peanuts are rich in lipids and in particular oleic acid, the same present in large amounts in 'olive oil. The content in sodium is very small but rises markedly during snack on peanut shelled, roasted and salted. These snacks are dangerous for those suffering from hypertension and who takes the own line. Although salt has no calories its consumption stimulates the thirst that, especially when in the bar or restaurant, are often met with sugary drinks or alcohol. In these cases over to the very high calorie content of salted peanuts (669 g Kcal/100) should be added to the drink, on average between 50 and 150 calories. Despite appearances, a simple and harmless drink with friends, surrounded by some snacks, so can cover alone, about 1 / 3 of daily caloric needs.

Although a food with excellent peanuts are not fully compatible with a low calorie diet. It could be taken in small doses (15-20 g) to balance a snack too rich in carbohydrates. An apple of medium size (about 2 ounces), together with 20 grams of peanuts provides 200 calories, 6 grams fiber, 6 proteins, 10.5 fat and 24 carbohydrates. The combination of these two foods greatly increases the power of satiating snack.

When you buy peanuts is good to choose quality products, be wary of those low cost. The wood must be intact pods, crispy and good. Peanuts are a food fact at risk aflatoxins, substances of microbial origin that seem involved in the onset of very serious diseases like liver cirrhosis and various cancers. If after opening the pods the seeds are altered (dark, covered in whole or part of a grayish powder) is good throw.

In people allergic to peanuts consumption of that food off a dangerous allergic reaction symptom rather serious. For the moment the only effective therapy remains the exclusion diet (delete from its menu food allergens), although pharmacological remedies may soon be developed to solve the problem.

Peanuts should be consumed in moderation by people with hypertriglyceridemia, especially in the days before blood sampling (not to alter the results of the examination).

Of note, finally, those peanuts are a good source of polyphenols and in particular resveratrol, a substance the high power antioxidant.

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