Peanuts pack a lot of nutritional and health benefits. In addition to being great snack or food for grown-ups, it is also kids delight as it can be used as a favourite sandwich filling. Great for the heart! Numerous studies have shown that those who frequently ate peanuts had a lower risk of heart disease and this effects are evident in all ages and either male or female, Some population studies have all shown that peanuts may be one of the most cardio-protective whole foods that is commonly consumed. Peanuts are great for the heart because they are rich in mono unsaturated fat (the fat that is emphasized in a heart healthy diet). In effect, a handful of peanuts eaten five or more times a week can cut the risk of heart disease in half and even eating peanuts twice a week can reduce risk of death from heart disease by 24%. In essence just adding a small amounts of peanuts to diet can have preventative effects similar to that of some prescription drugs.Studies have also shown that peanuts when included in diet as a protein source, help lower blood pressure which may benefit heart disease risk.Peanuts also contain Oleic acid, the healthy fat food in olive oil. A research conducted by a team of Florida Scientists published in the journal food chemistry shows that peanuts contain a high concentration of antioxidants, polyphenols and primarily a compound called P-coumaric acid and it revealed that roasting can increase the P-coumaric acid levels which eventually can boost the overall antioxidant content in peanuts by as much as 22% making peanuts far richer in antioxidant than apples, carrots or beets.
