One of America’s favorite snack foods is the peanut, which is a source of vitamins, protein, and fiber. Peanut shells, not so much. Although it may never have occurred to you to eat peanut shells, some people do partake in this odd snack. Those seeking an alternative to chips and pretzels may be drawn by the crunch or the saltiness. But prior to consuming peanut shells as part of your regular diet, you should think about the potential health risks.
Numerous people claim to enjoy peanuts, including the shell, and food scientists say it’s okay, according to Virginia-Carolinas Peanuts Promotions. However, exactly what is contained therein is unknown.
The composition differs based on peanut varieties and manufacturing environments. The only nutritional value in peanut shells is dietary fiber.
Although eating peanut shells may provide fiber, they may also cause problems with digestion. Peanut shells can accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract. The accumulation of foreign matter frequently upsets the stomach and forms a mass that cannot pass through the intestines.
A bezoar is a term used to describe someone who consumes hair or fibers. However, it also applies to any ingested substance that congeals in the abdomen. A bezoar may need to be surgically removed in extreme circumstances, according to Mayo Clinic.
Consuming peanut shells carries a risk related to the use of pesticides during cultivation. Peanut farmers expect consumers to discard the shells. Crop rotation is one method of disease control used by peanut farmers.
However, a fungal disease can significantly harm crops, necessitating the use of chemical pesticides. According to Feedipedia, the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are known to cause cancer in humans, are particularly attracted to peanuts. Avoiding eating peanut shells is the most straightforward way to avoid chemical contaminants.
Eating peanut shells may reveal problems beyond simple snack cravings. Consuming nonnutritive items regularly may be a sign of pica, an eating disorder. Pica is a condition that is common in children, those who are malnourished, and those who have developmental disabilities, but it can also affect healthy adults.
Sometimes, cravings for particular flavors and textures can drive people to consume strange foods. Contact a healthcare provider if you believe your daily consumption of peanut shells has turned into an obsession. Inquire about nutritional testing, treatment options, and behavior modification strategies.
However, don’t let the worries about eating peanut shells deter you from eating peanuts because they are high in protein and have incredible health benefits. In fact, a 2015 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that people with a daily nut intake of 10 grams or more, including peanuts, had a lower incidence of
They can help balance blood sugar
Research has found that nuts, including peanuts, can help reduce diabetes risk and improve outcomes for people who already have diabetes. In fact, one recent review of studies found that eating peanut butter specifically was inversely associated with developing type 2 diabetes, as if you needed yet another reason to add delicious peanut butter to your toast or enjoy it with some fruit. Another study found that snacking on nuts, like peanuts, could help reduce risk of complications for those with existing diabetes, too. People who increased their nut consumption after a diabetes diagnosis had an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a 15% lower risk of coronary heart disease and a 27% lower risk of all-cause mortality.
Peanuts are one of the most affordable nuts on the market. Although prices rose during the pandemic, generally you can get peanuts or peanut butter for less than 20 cents per serving. Not only are they budget-friendly, but also they boast some environmental benefits. Growing 1 ounce of peanuts only requires roughly 3.2 gallons of water, compared to the 28.7 gallons of water needed to grow an ounce of almonds. Peanuts are also nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they take nitrogen from the atmosphere and return it to the soil for other plants to use as fuel (they do this through bacteria that grow in their roots, called rhizobium). Since peanuts are affordable, widely available and take a minimal toll on the environment compared to other nuts, they might be the most sustainable nut around.
Since we can remember, many of us have always kept peanuts in our pantries because they are affordable, wholesome, and delicious. Regular consumption may also lower diabetes risk, support a healthy weight, and improve heart health. In addition, they are less harmful to the environment than other common nut varieties.
They can help make it easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight
Nuts, including peanuts, are a great snack if you’re trying to shed pounds or keep it off, despite the fact that they may seem to be high in calories. Between meals, peanuts’ protein, fiber, and healthy fat content can help you feel satisfied and full. This could enable you to fend off hunger and avoid overeating.
In fact, research has found that nuts might play an important role in weight regulation, and have found inverse relationships between obesity and nut consumption (meaning the more often you eat nuts, the less likely you are to be obese). One study found that including 1 ounce of peanuts per day not only improved diet quality, but also helped improve healthy weight maintenance.
Peanuts have a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber that provides a slew of heart-healthy benefits, one of which is helping lower LDL, or “less healthy” cholesterol levels. Peanuts also contain niacin (vitamin B3), which is important for healthy heart function. One study found that consuming just over 1 ounce of peanuts per day (42g) for 12 weeks helped participants reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Plus, the anti-inflammatory effects of the antioxidants in peanuts can help lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
Surprisingly, peanuts are not actually in the nut family. Along with foods like green peas, soybeans, and lentils, they are categorized as legumes. The peanut plant probably originated in Brazil or Peru in South America. In South America, archaeologists discovered 3,500-year-old pottery with peanut decorations and peanut-shaped ware.
Foods high in protein can make you feel satisfied while containing fewer calories. In terms of protein content among nuts, peanuts are second only to almonds. According to studies, people who consume a moderate amount of peanuts won’t gain weight as a result of them. In fact, peanuts could help them lose weight.
A mild peanut allergy manifests as itchy hives, nausea, or facial swelling. But a severe peanut allergy can result in the potentially fatal reaction known as anaphylaxis. Chest pain, swelling of the tongue, face, or lips, difficulty breathing, a change in alertness, nausea, vomiting, a seizure, extreme drowsiness, and feeling dizzy, confused, or light-headed are all signs of anaphylaxis.
As the underground fruit of the peanut plant, peanuts grow underground. Americans began cultivating peanuts as a commercial crop in the early 1800s. Americans consume more than 6 pounds of peanuts annually on average. Today, 50% of the peanuts eaten in the United States are consumed in the form of peanut butter
Raw, blanched, roasted, boiled, fried, powdered, or made into peanut butter are all acceptable ways to consume peanuts. The thin, papery skin on them makes them the most nutritious to eat because it is packed with phytochemicals and antioxidants. It’s simple to increase the amount of peanuts in your diet, whether you use peanuts or peanut butter.