Peanuts are a legume that develops in a pod underground and is often eaten as a snack or converted into other forms. It originated in South America and it has different varieties.
Scientific Name: Arachis hypogaea
Other names: groundnuts, earthnuts, and goobers
Local names:
Yoruba – Epa
Igbo – Ahuekere
Hausa- Gyada
Efik- Mmang
Edo- Isaewe
Fulani- Biriji
Ebira- Apapa
Interesting facts about peanuts
• Nuts grow on trees, while peanuts grow underground. Also, nut is a fruit whose ovary wall becomes hard at maturity which doesn’t apply to groundnut. Hence, peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes.
• Peanuts are sometimes called ‘ground nuts’ because peanuts grow underground.
• In a high-pressure environment, peanut butter can be turned into diamonds.
• Peanuts are the most sustainable nut. From the roots to the hulls, no part of the plant goes to waste. They also have the most efficient water use carbon footprint.
• Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free.
• Eating peanut butter for breakfast may decrease your appetite and control your blood sugar throughout the day (British Journal of Nutrition).
• Most of the antioxidants (Revestrol, p-Coumaric acid, Isoflavones) are located in peanut skin.
• The best way to eat peanuts is in their purest form, without extra salt and sugar.
• More facts about peanuts. https://bit.ly/46Bixct
Nutrients database of peanut https://bit.ly/3O5blOL
Benefits of peanuts
• Peanuts are very rich in polyunsaturated fats which may help lower the risk of heart disease.
• Peanuts are high in arginine and resveratrol, two compounds that may support several aspects of sexual function by improving sperm quality and erectile function.
• Peanuts prevent people from developing diabetes in the first place because they are high in unsaturated fat and other nutrients that help your body’s ability to regulate insulin.
• Peanuts help control blood sugar because they have low glycemic index of 13 and a large amount of magnesium.
• Peanut may help with weight loss because they help you feel full for a long time.
Precautions to take with peanut
• It is advised to eat omega-3 fatty acid foods with peanut so as to balance the omega-6 fatty acid present in peanuts. Peanuts contain more omega-6 fatty acids than other nuts.
• It is advised to limit peanut products especially if you have diabetes because peanut products often contain added salt and sugar.
• It is advised to eat peanuts in moderation as they contain many calories.
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