Peanuts, most of us are fond of it. But to your surprise, do you know that they are not nuts. Yes, peanuts are not nuts. They belong to a category of legumes like green peas and soya beans. 

As we all know peanuts are not that costly compared to other nuts like cashews and almonds. Because of this reason most people believe that they don’t have much nutritional value. But peanuts have high nutritional value.

If you are curious to know about the health benefits of peanuts, then this article is for you. Here we are going to discuss the health advantages of peanuts.

What are the vitamins and minerals present in peanuts?

Peanuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as:

• Biotin
• Coppercholesterol,
• Niacin
• Folate
• Manganese
• Vitamin E
• Thiamine
• Phosphorous

Now let us see what are the health benefits of peanuts

1. Heart health

When it comes to heart health, most people believe that only walnuts and almonds are beneficial. But, many studies suggest that peanuts have every benefit like other expensive nuts when it comes to heart health.

Peanuts are good medicines when it comes to heart health. They protect us from heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. They also prevent tiny blood clots and thus prevent the risk of strokes.

Some of the most important nutrients in peanuts that are good for heart health include the following :

• Magnesium
• Copper
• Antioxidants
• Oleic acid
• Niacin

2. Weight loss

If you are concerned with maintaining weight, then peanuts are your best friend. Peanuts are not associated with weight gain. Peanuts are also beneficial in protecting us from obesity and help in maintaining healthy body weight.

Now let us see what are the factors that make peanuts a good dietary element in weight loss.

• They are associated with fast fullness than any other snacks
• When peanuts are not fully chewed, there is a chance that a major portion of it can get excreted without proper digestion.
• They have a high amount of protein which supports calorie burning
• Peanuts are a large source of dietary fiber. They help to prevent weight gain to a large extend.

3. Prevention of gallstone

Gallstone is a tiny lump formed in the gall bladder due to cholesterol, bile pigments, and calcium salts. Gallstones can cause severe pain and blockage in the bile duct. Gall bladder surgery is an effective way to remove gall stones.

Frequent consumption of peanuts can reduce the risk of gall stones in both men as well as women. As mentioned above, cholesterol level is a major cause of gallstone formation. Since peanuts lower cholesterol, they can prevent gall stones too.

4. Lowers the risk of diabetes

Peanuts are classified as a low-glycemic food. So consuming peanuts will not cause a spike in your blood sugar levels. Besides, regular peanut consumption can reduce the risk of diabetes, especially in women.

5. Prevents cancer

Many studies proved that eating peanuts or peanut products such as peanut butter can prevent the risk of cancer. Especially they are very helpful in preventing stomach cancer in older people. 

If you have more queries about adding peanuts to your diet, get help from a dietician as soon as possible.