comes to their antioxidant value, according to the University
of Florida's research. Peanut not only contain a wide variety
of helpful antioxidants, but they contain the 'good' fat.
"When it comes to antioxidant content, peanuts are right up
there with strawberries," said Steve Talcott, assistant
professor of food science and human nutrition at the University
of Florida. "We expected a fairly high antioxidant content in
peanuts, but we were a bit shocked to find that they're as rich
in antioxidants as many kinds of fruit."
The study researched a dozen different varieties of peanuts
measuring their ability to block the aging effect of free
radicals that occur naturally in the body and damage living
cells causing heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Antioxidants became popular when reports started hailing them
as a miracle weapon in the battle against cancer. This lead
many people to add more orange and red fruit to their diet and
increase vitamins A, C, and E which are recognized as
antioxidants.
Peanuts are a good source of Vitamin E.
University of Florida researchers studied peanuts and found
that they contain high concentrations of polyphenols. Roasting
increases the levels, boosting their antioxidant content by 22
per cent, to the levels of blackberries and strawberries. In
fact, the report goes on to state that roasted peanuts out-do
apples, carrots and beets.
"If you compare them (peanuts) to other foods people think of
as rich in antioxidants mostly fruits and berries peanuts come
out somewhere in the middle," Talcott said. "They're no match
for the foods at the top of the scale, such as pomegranate, but
they do rival other foods that people eat just for their
antioxidant content."
"We already know from previous studies that including peanuts
and peanut butter in a healthful diet can lower cholesterol,
help people lose weight and prevent type 2 diabetes," said
Kristen Ciuba, a nutritionist for the Peanut Institute, a
nonprofit organization in Albany, Ga., funded by the peanut
industry.
"It's certainly worth looking into further," said Gorbet, a
co-author of the study. "The big question is not whether it can
be done the question is whether the demand is there. So far,
people haven't been seeking out peanuts for their antioxidant
content, but maybe in the future they will be."
Not everyone is willing to move peanuts to the list of
life-saving, healthy foods. Dr. Mercola, author of Total Health
Program has a word of warning for people who want to increase
the amount of peanuts they eat.
Dr. Mercola states that peanuts are heavy in Omega-6 fats that
distort the Omega 3:6 ratio, and they may contain a
carcinogenic mold called aflatoxin, as well as pesticides. All
of these cause serious health problems and disease.
He continues to tell people to eat organic peanut butter, pour
the oil off the top of the peanut butter jar to lower the
Omega-6 content, and even mixing in Brewer's yeast.
About The Author: Ethan Miller advises on health issues from
his web site http://www.cosmeticsurgerystar.com. He invites you
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