Peanuts have been a popular and loved snack for decades, often consumed at sporting events, outdoor parties, and even the movies. They are best known for their delicious, salty taste—but did you know they also offer various health benefits, particularly for women?
Peanuts improve the sexual health of women, keep them looking young, help them maintain weight loss, and support a healthy pregnancy when eaten regularly. They are also a good source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
The rest of this article goes into more detail about the health benefits of peanuts and why they are especially advantageous for women. You’ll also learn the disadvantages of over-eating peanuts and an interesting fact about what they really are.
Health Benefits of Peanuts for Women
There are many health benefits of consuming peanuts, peanut butter, or peanut oil for women! Let’s explore some of them.
Peanuts Help Promote Weight Loss
The salty, satisfying taste of peanuts is an excellent alternative to a bag of potato chips and has far fewer calories. Since peanuts contain a lot of protein, they can help you stay full for longer.
Because of this, peanuts can help you lose weight since you’ll have less desire to consume more food after eating them.
One study even showed that adults who eat peanuts regularly have a lower risk of becoming obese or overweight after 5 years.
Peanuts Improve Your Digestive Health
Fiber supports your digestive system and can help reduce inflammation in the body. Peanuts are a fantastic source of fiber, containing about 9 grams (0.32 ounces) of dietary fiber in every 100 grams (3.53 ounces) of peanuts.
Fiber can also help control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Peanuts Make You Look Younger Due to Anti-Aging Properties
Like red wine, peanuts are a source of resveratrol. The plant compound is said to provide anti-aging benefits, lower the risk of heart disease, and possibly even prevent some types of cancer.
Could the answer to maintaining your youthful glow be red wine and peanuts? It almost sounds too good to be true!
Peanuts Boost Womens’ Sexual Health
Peanuts are a source of vitamin E, which can help increase your energy levels and improve sexual performance. Peanuts also have folate, which is vital to the female reproductive system. Having enough folic acid in your body preconception means that when you do become pregnant, your baby will have a much lower risk of congenital brain and spinal disabilities.
Peanuts Support a Healthy Pregnancy
Biotin, another vital vitamin that peanuts contain, supports embryonic development in pregnant women. Additionally, biotin helps maintain smooth, hydrated skin and encourages the healthy growth of luxurious hair and strong nails.
Peanuts Boost Your Immune System
The best way to prevent illness is to keep your immune system strong and healthy. Being rich in magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese means peanuts are an excellent snack for strengthening your immune health!
How Many Peanuts Can I Safely Eat a Day?
With so many health benefits, you might feel tempted to eat large servings of peanuts every day! Be careful, though—due to their high-fat content, eating too many can have adverse health effects.
You can safely eat a handful of peanuts each day. And for those who prefer peanut butter instead, 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 grams) a day is the recommended consumption limit.
There is a wide variety of ways to eat peanuts. Fried, salted, boiled, baked, candied, covered in chocolate—you name it! But to reap the maximum benefits of these legumes, you should stick to plain, unsalted peanuts.
Side Effects of Eating Too Many Peanuts
As beneficial as peanuts can be, over-consuming them can be detrimental to your overall health and well-being.
Some of the side effects of over-eating peanuts are:
- Increased risk of obesity: peanuts are high in fat and calories, so when you overindulge in them, it can lead to weight gain. Being obese can lead to severe health consequences, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, and death.
- Menstrual period changes: because peanuts contain resveratrol, which stops blood clotting, excessively consuming them can increase menstrual blood flow.
- Potential adverse health effects linked to food additives: most peanuts you purchase in your local grocery store will have harmful additives that could cause serious health issues when consumed in large amounts. It’s, therefore, recommended that you buy certified organic if possible.
Additionally, the high amounts of saturated fats in peanuts can increase women’s risk of:
- Heart Attack
- Digestive Problems
- High Blood Pressure
- Clogged Arteries
Remember that these potential side effects are attributed mainly to eating too many peanuts. When consumed sparingly, peanuts can have tremendous, life-lengthening benefits on your health.
Are Peanuts Nuts?
Peanuts are not nuts. Surprise! Peanuts are, in fact, legumes. Also in the legume family are beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans. Legumes are a popular food thanks to their versatility and nutritional benefits.
True nuts grow on trees, while peanuts grow underground inside a pod. When eating certain legumes, for example, green beans, you eat both the pod and the seed inside. The peanut, however, is cracked out of its pod before consumption.
Outside the United States, you may hear people referring to peanuts as groundnuts, which might be a more appropriate term considering they grow underground.
Nonetheless, peanuts are still widely classified as nuts for cooking purposes. Any kernel surrounded by a hard shell can be classified as a nut in the culinary world. But in the world of Botany (plant science), the peanut is a legume, not a nut.
Conclusion
Whether you call them legumes or nuts, peanuts offer a wide variety of health benefits for women. Eating a handful of peanuts a day may protect you against numerous medical conditions.
Women who regularly consume peanuts may also see improvements in their overall well-being, owing to improved sexual health, younger-looking skin, and weight loss. The key is to eat them sparingly and not overindulge.
