What are the benefits of peanuts?

Answer 1

Peanuts are high in natural oils and fats which are good for the body. They also provide protein (and are a vegetarian option for those who do not or cannot eat meat). Peanuts and peanut butter are also relatively inexpensive.

Answer 2

Peanuts are healthy in general, but someone once told me the brown layer that you find when you take the peanut out of the shell is very healthy, and most people discard it, but you should eat it.

Answer 3

Peanuts can:

1. Fight free radicals. Peanuts are an excellent source of manganese and a good source of copper, two trace minerals that are essential cofactors of a key antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals produced within your mitochondria (the energy production factories within your cells). Vitamin E in peanuts protects your skin from ultraviolet light and prevents cell damage from free radicals. Peanuts contain oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that promotes the production of antioxidants, which can eliminate harmful free radicals from your body. Roasted peanuts actually rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots, or beets. Peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid. Roasting can actually increase peanuts' p-coumaric acid levels, boosting their overall antioxidant content by as much as 22%. Saponins in peanuts neutralize free radicals to prevent disease.
2. Promote cardiovascular health. The high antioxidant content of peanuts may be key to their heart-protective benefits. You can reduce your risk of cardiovascular and coronary Heart disease by eating a handful of peanuts or other nuts, or a tablespoon of nut butter, at least four times per week. Peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease. Niacin in peanuts helps lower cholesterol levels. The magnesium in peanuts acts as a calcium channel blocker, which relaxes veins and arteries, reducing blood pressure and improving the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. The folate in peanuts helps lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that is an intermediate product in an important metabolic cycle. Elevated blood levels of homocysteine are a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. Phosphorus in peanuts helps maintain a steady heartbeat. Peanuts are also good sources of other nutrients that promote heart health, including manganese, protein, and vitamin E. In addition, peanuts contain resveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant that reduces risk of cardiovascular disease. Resveratrol is a flavonoid first studied in red grapes and red wine, but now also found to be present in peanuts. Resveratrol improves blood flow in your brain by as much as 30%, thus greatly reducing the risk of stroke. Resveratrol may exert this very beneficial effect by stimulating the production and release of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule made in the lining of blood vessels (the endothelium) that signals the surrounding muscle to relax, dilating the blood vessel and increasing blood flow. An ounce of peanut butter provides about 50 micrograms of resveratrol. Saponins in peanuts lower blood cholesterol and decrease risk of cardiovascular disease. Salicylic acid in peanuts helps prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots.
3. Protect against Alzheimer's and age-related cognitive decline. Just a quarter cup of peanuts provides about a quarter of the daily recommended intake for niacin, which provides protection against Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline. People aged 65 or older who get the most niacin from foods (22 mg per day) are 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those consuming the least (about 13 mg daily), and their rate of age-related cognitive decline was significantly less. Vitamin E in peanuts helps protect against Alzheimer's disease. Folate in peanuts also helps prevent dementias including Alzheimer's disease. Resveratrol in peanuts may help protect against Alzheimer's disease.
4. Build strong, flexible bodies. One quarter cup of peanuts provides 19% of the Daily Value for protein. Magnesium in peanuts helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function and keeps bones strong. Folate in peanuts acts as a co-factor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of DNA, supports cell production, especially in your skin, allows nerves to function properly, helps prevent neural tube defects in fetuses, and helps prevent osteoporosis-related bone fractures. Phosphorus helps in the formation of bones and teeth, synthesis of protein, and muscle contraction. Saponins in peanuts stimulate your immune system by increasing the production of antibodies, fight bacterial and fungal infections, reduce inflammation, prevent dental caries, protect against bone loss, and increase the effectiveness of certain vaccines. Salicylic acid in peanuts helps to reduce pain and inflammation.
5. Give you energy while stabilizing your blood sugar. Peanuts provide steady, slow-burning energy, and their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal. Niacin in peanuts stabilizes your blood sugar and helps your body process fats. Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Folate in peanuts supports red blood cell production and helps prevent anemia. Phosphorus helps you efficiently use carbohydrates and fats. Saponins in peanuts lower blood glucose responses. Resveratrol in peanuts may help protect against Diabetes, and prevent age-related problems such as and insulin resistance.
6. Eliminate toxins. Peanuts are a good source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites. Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to prepared foods like delicatessen salads and salad bars. People who are sensitive to sulfites may experience rapid heartbeat, headache, or disorientation if they consume sulfites. If you have ever reacted to sulfites, it may be because your molybdenum stores are insufficient to detoxify them. Vitamin E and resveratrol in peanuts are phytochemicals with chemopreventative and antioxidant abilities that also activate an essential detoxification protein and directly increase the activity of detoxification enzymes. Resveratrol also helps transport toxins out of your body. Isothiocyanates in peanuts also assist in producing detoxification enzymes.
7. Fight cancer. Vitamin E in peanuts helps protect against bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Folate in peanuts lowers your risk of cancer by preventing build-up of homocysteine in your blood. Other nutrients in peanuts, including phytosterols (including beta-sisterol), phytic acid (known as inositol hexakisphosphate, or phytate when in salt form), and resveratrol, may have anti-cancer effects, especially against colorectal cancer, the second most fatal malignancy in developed countries and the third most frequent cancer worldwide. Eating peanuts just 2 or more times each week is associated with a 58% lowered risk of colon cancer in women and a 27% lowered risk in men. Saponins in peanuts potentially reduce your risk of colorectal cancer. Resveratrol in peanuts may help protect against cancer. Isothiocyanates in peanuts stop carcinogens in three different ways: 1) They don't allow carcinogens to be activated; 2) they counteract the poisonous effects of carcinogens that have been activated; and 3) they speed up their removal from your body.
8. Help prevent gallstones. Women who eat least 1 ounce of nuts, peanuts, or peanut butter each week have a 25% lower risk of developing gallstones.
9. Reduce risk of weight gain. People who eat nuts or peanuts at least twice a week are 31% less likely to gain weight than people who never or almost never eat nuts.

Answer 4

They have protein inside of them and protein is good for you.

Answer 5

Because... it just is.