Question for the experts: are peanuts a nut or a bean?
Peanut or groundnut nut, contains many useful substances that nourish the body. Its shell is similar to a legume. What are peanuts, are they nuts or beans?
Content:
- Useful substances in the composition
- What's the benefit?
- Peanuts in folk medicine
- What harm can it do?
- How to prepare?
Useful substances in the composition
Based on the fact that there are 640 kcal per 100 grams of nut, it follows that the nutritional value of the product is high. Nutritionists recommend consuming no more than 20 grams of peanuts per day. 100 g of nut contains a large amount of:
- Iron – 5 mg
- Magnesium – 182 mg
- Potassium – 660 mg
- Manganese – 2 mg
- Copper – 1144 mcg
- Zinc – 3.27 mg
- Phosphorus – 350 mg
- Calcium – 76 mg
- Sodium – 23 mg
In addition, peanuts contain vanadium, boron, silicon, cobalt, zirconium, strontium, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, lithium and rubidium. Vitamin composition per 100 g groundnut also varied:
- Group of vitamins B (B1 (thiamine) – 0.74 mg, B2 – 0.11 mg, B3 – 19 mg, B4 – 52 mg, B5 – 1.75 mg, B6 (pyridoxine) – 0.35 mg)
- Folic acid 0.025 mg
- Ascorbic acid – 5.3 mg
- Tocopherol – 10 mg
- Nicotinic acid (vitamin PP) – 18.9 mg
The composition also contains biotin, pantothenic acid and choline.
What's the benefit?
Containing many useful microelements and vitamins, groundnuts are beneficial for the body. How peanuts can help the body: Protein. Its content is about 28 grams, while in meat the protein content does not exceed 17 grams.But peanuts cannot become an alternative source of protein, for example, for vegetarians. The quality of the substance is inferior to its counterpart of animal origin.
Decreased appetite. The calorie content of the product is high, so the body is quickly saturated with fats that are beneficial to the body. However, it is not advisable for people who are prone to obesity or those who are on a diet to consume the product. Fats. Containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, peanuts can be compared to olive oil.
Undoubtedly, peanuts are inferior in the amount of fat, but olive oil does not saturate the body, and peanuts can safely satisfy your hunger.
Vitamins and minerals. The content of such a quantity of useful substances has a positive effect on the body. Manganese in groundnuts is contained in the daily norm, which maintains the desired blood sugar level. Copper helps collagen synthesis and iron absorption and energy production.
Brain work. Improves brain activity, develops memory and even helps cope with depression. Reducing cholesterol. Phytosterols prevent excess cholesterol from being absorbed into the intestinal cells and are simply eliminated from the body.
Peanuts in folk medicine
Having so many useful properties in their composition, peanuts are naturally used in folk medicine. Do not forget that any treatment must be carried out on the recommendation and under the supervision of specialists. Treatment of hemophilia. Half an hour before meals, 50-150 mg three times a day. You can also use 1 tbsp peanut butter. in the same way.
Lung treatment. Boil 90 grams of peanuts in 300 ml of water for 15 minutes. Use for a month, in the morning on an empty stomach. Helps in treating cough as it has expectorant properties. Treatment of laryngitis. 120 gr peanuts Boil together with the peel for 10 minutes in 1 liter of water. Drink the decoction 3-4 times a day, 70 ml. You should also consume the nuts themselves from the decoction.
For problems with the upper respiratory tract, relieves fever. For hypertension. Pour 6% vinegar over the nut, freshly picked with the peel (half a cup). Close tightly and put in a dark place for one day. Eat 10 pieces in the morning and evening until the nut is gone.
What harm can it do?
Despite all the usefulness of groundnuts, there are also pitfalls. Strong allergen. The nut itself and its shell can cause an allergic reaction. Varicose veins The nut increases the production of nitric oxide, which causes dilation of blood vessels. For those suffering from varicose veins, this is unnecessary irritation of blood vessels.
Excess weight. Due to the increased calorie content, nutritionists do not recommend getting carried away with this product. Content of incomplete protein. For good protein absorption, the body needs lysine. Therefore, to absorb protein from peanuts, you additionally need to consume foods that contain lysine.
How to prepare?
When harvesting peanuts, you need to remember that they do not tolerate even slight frosts. It is advisable to collect the nut when the leaves turn yellow and begin to dry. This usually falls at the beginning of October. From the ground nut completely dug out. After which it is shaken off and dried in the sun for 10 - 12 days. During this entire period, the fruit is not separated from the root, otherwise the taste of the product will deteriorate.
After drying, the nuts separate well. Next, the fruits are separated from the husks and stored in boxes or bags in a well-ventilated area where the humidity is not high. The oven can help dry the groundnuts.Peanuts can be eaten either raw or fried, but the antioxidant content in the fried product is higher.
Video about the benefits of peanuts:
