Should you eat raw peanuts?
Try Some Raw Peanuts Today!
- Choose raw peanuts with the best quality – unblemished shells, doesn’t give a rattling sound when shaken, and are in dry packaging containers.
- Store them in a cool, dry place.
- Eat them as snacks or add them to other dishes like salads, soups, and stir-fries.
Is it safe to eat raw peanuts?
Unless you have a peanut allergy, eating raw peanuts should be reasonably safe. Raw peanuts are also less likely to trigger allergic reactions than roasted peanuts. Approximately one percent of Americans are allergic to peanuts, and in some cases, that reaction can be life-threatening.
Are raw peanuts healthy?
Peanuts and peanut products are superbly healthy. They are chock-full of nutrients such as protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and antioxidants. They are an excellent source of compounds such as resveratrol, phenolic acids ...
Is raw peanut edible?
The good news is, yes, you can eat raw peanuts because they’re not toxic. However, they’re commonly associated with aflatoxin, a carcinogen arising from the contamination of molds, when the peanuts are not dried properly. To set the record straight, peanuts are not nuts, but legumes that are associated with chickpeas and beans.
Raw Peanuts: Digestion
Legumes are notable for their high levels of both carbohydrates and protein, and we tend to digest them poorly, as evidenced by the gas that we get after consumption. One of the reasons for this is that humans produce very little of the starch digestion enzymes known as amylases when compared to legume-eating animals like pigs.
Raw Peanuts: What to Do?
I find that as an occasional treat, peanuts are fine. Like all nuts and seeds, though, there's a tendency to overeat them and so I limit myself just them two or three servings a year. This is easy enough to do when you commit to only eating freshly-harvested food.
Peanut Shell Nutrition
According to Virginia-Carolinas Peanuts Promotions, "Many people report they enjoy peanuts, including the shell, and food scientists indicate that it's okay." But what exactly is in them? Peanut shell content is as follows:
Intestinal Blockage Concerns
Eating peanut shells may provide fiber, but they can also interfere with normal digestive function. Peanut shells can accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract. Often, the buildup of foreign matter causes stomach distress and creates a mass that cannot pass through the intestines.
Beware of Pesticide Contamination
A hidden danger of eating peanut shells concerns use of pesticides during cultivation. Peanut farmers expect consumers to discard the shells. Peanut farmers employ crop rotation as one method of disease control.
Eating Disorder Considerations
Eating peanut shells may reveal problems beyond simple snack cravings. The habitual consumption of nonnutritive items could indicate an eating disorder, known as pica. Common in children, people lacking certain nutrients and those with developmental disabilities, pica can also affect healthy adults.
Health Benefits of Peanuts
But the concerns of eating peanut shells stop you from eating peanuts! They're pack with protein and come with some amazing health benefits. In fact, according to a 2015 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, people who consumed 10 or more grams of nuts per day, including peanuts, had lower incidence of:
Contributes to Weight Gain
One of the disadvantages of peanuts, despite their contribution to your overall health, is their high-calorie content. Calories can make a difference if you're trying to manage your weight. A 1-ounce serving of roasted peanuts, which is equal to about a handful or 39 peanuts, contains 170 calories.
Inhibits Mineral Absorption
Peanuts are good source of phosphorus, with 113 milligrams per ounce. However, phosphorus in peanuts is in a storage form called phytic acid or phytate. Phytates are often referred to as anti-nutrients because they chelate other minerals, preventing your body's ability to utilize them.
Allergic Side Effects of Peanuts
Peanuts are one of the most common allergens and can cause severe, potentially life-threatening responses. A reaction to peanuts can be unpredictable, even with very small amounts. This results from your body's immune system, which identifies the peanut protein as harmful and triggers symptoms.
Too Much Sodium
Before you dig into that bowl of free peanuts at the bar, consider the sodium content. Many types of peanuts have salt and flavoring added that may have an impact on your blood pressure. For example, one ounce of salted valencia peanuts contains 219 milligrams of sodium. The USDA recommends you limit your sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams daily.
Danger of Mold Contamination
Aflatoxins are a family of toxins that are produced by certain fungi found on peanuts. This type of mold is abundant in the warm humid regions of the world where peanuts are grown, harvested and stored.
Incorrect Omega Fatty Acid Balance
Peanuts are high in omega-6 fatty acids with 4,361 milligrams per ounce. Omega-6 is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid primarily used to produce energy in your body. However, omega-6 and omega-3 must act in combination and in the correct balance to be of benefit to your health. Peanuts lack omega-3 fatty acids.
High Temperatures and Long Cooking Times Have the Greatest Impact
When polyunsaturated fats are exposed to heat, as is the case with roasting, they’re more likely to become damaged or oxidized.
Oxidation Can Occur During Storage
The polyunsaturated fat in nuts is also more vulnerable to oxidation during storage.
Acrylamide
The Maillard reaction may also be responsible for the formation of the harmful substance acrylamide.
Different Nuts Produce Different Levels of Acrylamides When Roasted
The same study showed that other nuts had lower levels of acrylamide when they were roasted.
