The Humble Peanut… Useful info.

The "Humble Peanut" is actually "An Elixir of Life"...

The Invaluable Peanut

Safe Protein Source
Many folks overlook Groundnuts as an important source of protein. Those who have to avoid meat for health reasons often turn to soybean for their protein needs.
   
The misconception of Groundnut is it’s a fatty food because of its oil content. Research has shown that its oil is actually nutritious.
    
Groundnuts are packed with mono-unsaturated fats. They are also not lacking in antioxidants which help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. It should also be mentioned that they have anti-aging properties which could contribute to a younger look.
   
The humble Groundnut may just be Peanuts to most folks, but weight for weight they contain more protein than meat and two and half times more protein than you can obtain from eggs.
    
Nutritional Value of Groundnut
Given here is the value of different nutrients in 100 grams groundnut.
1.               Calcium – 93 mg
2.              Carbohydrate – 16.13 gm
3.              Copper – 11.44 mg
4.              Fat – 49.24 g
5.              Fibre – 8.5 gm
6.              Iron – 4.58 mg
7.              Magnesium - 168 mg
8.              Manganese - 1.934 mg
9.              Phosphorus - 376 mg
10.         Potassium - 705 mg
11.           Protein - 25.80 gm
12.         Sodium - 18 mg
13.         Water - 6.50 gm
14.         Zinc - 3.27 mg

Nutritional Benefits of Groundnuts
Groundnuts and groundnut products are very beneficial in the treatment of haemophilia and other such inherited blood disorders. People suffering from nose bleeding also benefit from eating groundnuts and it is also helpful in reducing excessive menstruation bleeding in women.
   
Five main nutrients required by the body to maintain and repair the tissues namely food energy, protein, phosphorous, thiamine and niacin. These five nutrients are found in good quantity in groundnuts.
   
Groundnuts are rich vitamins and contain at least 13 different types of vitamins that include Vitamin A, B, C and E. along with this, groundnuts are also rich in 26 essential minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, boron, etc. these help in brain function and development and also help to maintain strong bones.
   
It is recommended that growing children, expecting women and nursing mothers consume roasted groundnuts with jaggery and goat’s milk. It is said to provide resistance and immunity against dangerous infections like Hepatitis and also Tuberculosis.
   
Groundnuts are rich in anti-oxidants and a chemical called resveratrol. These help in reducing the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases, cancer risk and also help in anti-ageing, thus keeping the body young and fit.
   
Milk Alternative
If you don’t fancy dairy milk or have to avoid it for health reasons, you can consider groundnut milk as an alternative. The milk is as nutritious as dairy milk.
    
To prepare groundnut milk, soak a desired quantity of groundnuts in water for up to two hours. You can then easily remove the skin by rubbing it in water.
   
You are now ready to grind the nuts into a paste. Then add water to it – three times the amount of paste. Strain it through a flimsy cloth, before boiling it.