Anyone that knows my family knows that we will put peanut butter on just about anything- pancakes, chicken, waffles, pasta, broccoli- you name it, we have probably tried it with peanut butter. Peanuts and peanut butter are a staple in our house. Given the amount of peanuts that we go through in a week, it seemed like a good idea to explore the health benefits of this nutritious food. I know that recently peanuts have gotten a bad rap from the paleo movement but I think they can have a place in a healthy diet.
Peanuts are heart healthy. They are rich in heart health promoting monounsaturated fats and provide the antioxidant reservatrol, thought to be responsible for the French Paradox. To lower your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, enjoy a handful of peanuts or other nuts, or a tablespoon of nut butter, at least 4 times a week.
Peanuts are high in niacin which provides protection against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.
Peanuts could be helpful in weight maintenance. A large study in Spain found that people who ate nuts at least two times per week were 31% less likely to gain weight than were participants who never or almost never ate nuts.
Peanuts are a good source of biotin and cooper. Important vitamin and minerals in healthy body function.
Peanuts make a great before or after workout snack and with 8 grams of protein per 2 tablespoon serving can be a rich source of muscle building protein. Being low in carbs and high in protein, fat, and fibers, peanuts have a very low glycemic index ,which is a measure of how quickly carbs enter the bloodstream after a meal. This low glycemic index makes them a good snack choice for those with diabetes.
Given all these amazing health benefits, how do you want to incorporate these little nuts into your life?
Photo from flickr.
