Peanuts are crunchy, mouth-watering little nuggets from nature. They make for an awesome snack any time of the day. It is among the most commonly used nuts in most Asian, African, and South American cuisines. You will find more information about this amazing nut, its health benefits, usage, and recipes in the below content. This will help you make an informed decision when you are planning to include peanuts in your diet and snack routine.
Introduction to the History and Usage of Peanuts:
Peanut is considered one of the oldest crops known to humankind. According to various studies, the history of peanuts dates back to the age of the ancient Incas of Peru. They cultivated wild peanuts and gave them as an offering to the Sun God during their religious ceremonials. The modern cultivation and usage of peanuts began during the Civil War of America in the 1860s. More than three hundred products were derived from peanuts.
Peanuts are commercially used for oil production. Apart from oil, you will also find numerous other by-products of peanuts that contain other essential and functional compounds like vitamins, minerals, proteins, polyphenols, fibers, and antioxidants. They are added as a functional ingredient in many snacks and processed foods. It also contains all the twenty amino acids and Co-enzymes Q10. They are also known for their disease-preventive properties and nutritional benefits.
Top Health Benefits of Peanuts:
Peanuts have a plethora of health and nutritional benefits. This is one of the main reasons why they have been a part of many cuisines around the world. Below you will find information about the top health benefits of peanuts and their usage.
- Promotes Healthy Heart:
Many studies conducted on peanuts have proved that eating peanuts in a regular yet moderate manner decreases the chances of getting any type of heart disease. They contain all the nutrients that are necessary for maintaining a healthy heart. For instance, they have minerals like magnesium, and copper and a good ratio of antioxidants like resveratrol. They also contain a good amount of unsaturated fats.
Peanuts are also rich in protein, monounsaturated fats, and fiber that reduce cholesterol levels in the body. They also contain a good amount of amino acids and antioxidants that keep the inner lining of the arteries safe. Therefore, they can protect the heart from conditions like atherosclerosis. Apart from these, there are also many factors due to which peanuts are considered a superfood for the heart.
- A Great Source of Protein:
Peanuts are rich in proteins. They contain twenty to thirty percent protein of their total calories. Thus, they are one of the most sought-after snacks amongst health and fitness enthusiasts. Healthy proteins build muscle mass and also promote muscle growth and bone health. Masala peanuts can be a good midday snack that provides the necessary energy and proteins to your body.
Peanuts also help in the growth and development of children as they provide necessary proteins for the kids. They are also capable of speeding up the healing of the wounds.
- Aids in Weight Loss:
If you want to lose or manage weight, adding peanuts to your diet in moderation could be the best option. The high protein and unsaturated fat content in the peanuts are good nutrients for weight loss. They also provide high satiety value and prevent you from binge eating. Protein also reduces the Ghrelin, the hunger hormone levels in the body as well as increases the production of Peptide YY, the hormone that makes you feel full.
- Sharper Brain:
Peanuts fuel your body with nutrients like Vitamin B1, folate, and niacin to help you maintain a healthy and sharper brain. Vitamin B1 and Niacin also keep away age-related cognitive decline as well as diseases like Alzheimer’s. Therefore, moderate consumption will improve the focus and sharpness of your brain.
Peanuts are also loaded with resveratrol, a bioactive ingredient. They are known to enhance cognitive abilities as well as verbal fluency.
- Strong Bones and Healthy Skin:
Peanuts also promote bone health as they are packed with phosphorus and manganese. They will help you to maintain the strength of the bones which weaken over time due to aging. It is very important to consume superfoods like peanuts to maintain the strength of the bones.
Other health benefits of consuming peanuts include improved vision, diabetic friendliness, prevention of gallstones, and reducing the risks of cancer. It does not matter what your needs are, consuming these nuts on a moderate level is very important. If you are allergic to peanuts or other nuts, consult and take the assistance of a health expert before including them in your diet.
Recipes to Try:
- Spicy-Tangy Peanut Chat:
This is a quick and easy vegan chat that you can prepare in just five minutes. This is a deliciously crunchy, tangy, and spicy chat that comes under the salad category. It is a perfect snack that you can munch on any time of the day.
Ingredients:
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Green or red chili
- Ready salted peanuts (Dry roasted or boiled)
- Lemon juice
- Chaat masala
Instruction:
Chop half a red onion finely, along with coriander leaves and chili peppers. Seed and chop the tomato into small pieces. Make sure you are not adding the seeds of the tomato as it will make the nut watery. Juice the lemon and add 1 ½ tbsp to the vegetables and peanut mix. Make sure you are rubbing and removing the skin from the roasted nuts. Sprinkle chat masala on top, mix, and add salt and more chili if required. It is important to serve and enjoy peanut chat as early as possible, as it gives you a fresh and fragrant crunch. If you are keeping it for a longer duration, you can drain out the water and add a pinch of chat masala before eating.
- Masala Peanuts:
If you are looking for a quick and easy bite that is equally healthy, buying masala peanuts from our store could be the best option. You can easily choose from different varieties and flavors such as masala peanuts, tangy mint masala peanuts, peri peri peanuts, hing jeera peanuts or simply salted roasted peanuts. The bold and refreshing flavors will give you an instant boost in energy.
Conclusion:
Moderate consumption of peanuts can offer a wide range of health benefits. Just remember, excess of anything can be bad for your health and body. So it is important to choose the quantity wisely. If you are looking for high-quality peanuts online, Healthy Master is the right choice for you. Apart from peanuts, you will also find many other healthy snacks and food products in our store.
