7 Health Benefits of Peanuts You Didn't Know About

Maybe you’re just getting to know peanuts, or maybe you’ve enjoyed them for years and want to learn more about them. Either way, it’s important to have all the facts about peanuts if you want to be sure that they are contributing to your health in a positive way. Here are seven health benefits of peanuts that you probably didn’t know about before today!

1) Peanuts Can Boost Your Brainpower

Peanuts can help your memory, focus and problem-solving skills by feeding your brain a little protein. They are also loaded with vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals in the body. A 2008 study found that people who ate peanuts every day had a slower rate of cognitive decline than those who didn't eat them.

If you struggle with memory loss, researchers in Taiwan suggest that adding peanuts to your diet may help. In their study, older people who ate 2 ounces of peanuts daily performed better on cognitive tests than those who didn't eat them. And they had more brain volume after four years.

2) Peanuts Help Keep Your Heart Healthy

Peanuts are packed with heart-healthy, monounsaturated fats. In fact, peanuts have the same amount of these healthy fats as olive oil does. This is because peanuts contain both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

In fact, just one ounce of peanuts contains about seven grams of monounsaturated fat. The polyunsaturated fats found in peanuts can help lower bad cholesterol levels. These healthy fats also act as antioxidants and improve blood circulation.

3) Peanuts Can Aid in Weight Loss

Research has shown that eating peanuts can help with weight loss. In one study, overweight people were asked to eat an ounce of peanuts every day for six months. The volunteers who ate the nuts lost about 6 pounds more than those in the control group. The researchers believe that this is because nuts are rich in healthy fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are good for your heart and may help you feel fuller longer.

4) Peanuts Can Help Lower Your Risk of Cancer

A study in 2017 found that people who ate peanuts or peanut butter 5 times a week had a lower risk of cancer. That's because peanuts are rich in antioxidants and contain a protein called resveratrol which is thought to protect against cancer-causing inflammation. In addition, they contain healthy fats and protein which help keep you feeling full, preventing overeating and weight gain. The fiber also protects against heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

5) Peanuts Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

Research suggests that eating peanuts may help control blood sugar levels, as they are high in protein and fat. The theory is that these healthy fats and proteins slow the absorption of sugars from other food sources. When blood sugar levels are stabilized, cravings for unhealthy foods may be reduced because the body is getting what it needs. Additionally, peanuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E and folate. Eating peanuts can also provide some protection against heart disease, type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer.

6) Peanuts Can Reduce Inflammation

One way that peanuts can improve your health is by reducing inflammation. The antioxidants in peanuts called resveratrol and quercetin protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, which are two factors that lead to chronic diseases. Peanut consumption has been shown to reduce blood levels of cytokines (immune system proteins) associated with inflammation in people with type-2 diabetes.

7) Peanuts May Boost Your Immune System

Peanuts have a high antioxidant content, which has been shown to boost the immune system. They are also a great source of protein and fibre, both important for your health. Some studies have found that people who eat peanuts on a regular basis have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses. Finally, peanuts are low in calories and fat-free!