More than 40 million tons of peanuts are produced annually. Whether pure, salted, or in the form of peanut butter, probably just about everyone has already benefited from this food.
But did you know that peanuts are, strictly speaking, not nuts at all? What else is there to know, such as about the many good nutrients or the origin of the peanut, we will tell you in this blog post.
Peanut – the wrong nut
Few people know that the peanut is botanically not a nut at all – contrary to the assumption of many and its name. It belongs to the legumes and thus to the same subfamily as peas or beans. This is already indicated by the English term "peanut," which translates into German as "pea nut."
Where do peanuts come from?
The peanut originates from the Andes of South America, but over the years, cultivation has expanded to other parts of South and Mesoamerica. This oil fruit was particularly popular with the Aztecs and was highly traded in the markets.
As a result, the fruit gained attention and eventually worldwide fame. Today, peanuts are grown and processed in warm areas around the globe.
How are peanuts processed?
Since the fruits of the peanut plant are in the soil, they are first removed from the soil together with the plant. The uprooted plants then remain in the field for one to two days to dry. They are then collected by special machines – the plants are separated from the fruits.
While the plants remain in the field and act as a kind of fertilizer, the fruits are dried once more. The peanuts can only be further processed after the second and thus last drying phase.
Which products are derived from peanuts?
Peanuts are processed in a very versatile way and can therefore be found in a variety of products:
Peanuts as a snack
As snacks, peanuts are traditionally roasted and salted. They are often processed as a component of various sweets such as chocolate bars or cookies, but they are also popular as peanut flips.
Peanuts as oil
Especially in the Asian region, peanuts are often processed into oil. Peanut oil is not only an all-rounder in the kitchen but also an herbal remedy and is therefore an essential component of many cultures.
Peanuts as a spread
For a long time, peanuts in the form of peanut butter or peanut cream were mainly found in North America. Nowadays, however, they are available just about everywhere. This slightly sweeter variant is also gaining more and more popularity in Germany – not only due to its sweet-salty taste, but also thanks to its reputation as a nutrient-rich spread. By the way, peanut butter is also wonderful as a topping for your healthy warm oatmeal or your overnight oats.
Of course, these are only a few options for further processing – because peanuts are already available in the form of flour or other products.
Are peanuts healthy?
The name in Spanish and French (cacahuete or cacahuète) already indicates the peanut's peculiarity. Because these names go back to the name of the peanut of the Aztecs, who called them "tlalcacáhuatl" – this translates as "cocoa bean of the earth".
Since the cocoa bean is considered one of the most mineral-rich foods in the world, it is obvious that the peanut should not be labeled as a calorie bomb. Despite the large number of calories, it provides vital nutrients, similar to other legumes and nuts.
But just as with the cocoa bean, the principle applies that the fruit is healthiest when it is processed as little as possible. For example, unsalted peanuts are definitely considered healthy, while processed peanut products often lose quality.
These nutrients are found in peanuts
Peanuts do not have the best reputation and are unfortunately often considered a thickener. As is so often the case, however, the only thing that matters is the dose. And in the right dose, the peanut does so much for us:
Muscle building thanks to peanuts
Especially for people with a predominantly plant-based diet, peanuts are considered a popular vegan protein source – not for nothing, because with a protein content of 24%, it even exceeds some animal sources and is therefore ideal for supporting muscle building.
Peanuts as a supplier of good fat
Peanuts consist of almost 50 percent fat – yet they are considered healthy. This is mainly because they contain abundant unsaturated fatty acids and can even help improve cholesterol levels and support the cardiovascular system.
Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are only contained in small amounts – so they are especially interesting for people with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, since the combination of abundant fat and fiber, as well as the small amount of carbohydrates, only causes a low insulin secretion.
Nutritional table of peanuts (per 100g)
| Calorific value in kCal | 567 |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| of which sugars | 4 g |
| Protein | 26 g |
| Fat | 49 g |
| of which saturated fatty acids | 7 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Peanuts as an excellent mineral source
Peanuts are considered one of the most magnesium-rich plant foods. Combined with the high zinc, iron, and potassium content, they ensure the maintenance of many vital processes in the body.
Peanuts as a vitamin supplier
Peanuts provide us with plenty of vitamin E as well as vitamin B3. These vitamins are not only important for a wide variety of metabolic processes, but also support our body's immune defense.
Peanuts – What to consider?
Although peanuts provide us with important nutrients, there are two things to keep in mind. Firstly, they have very strong allergens, and secondly, they are extremely high in calories.
Thus, you should make sure that you can tolerate peanuts at all – because even the smallest amounts can be very dangerous for allergy sufferers. It is best to seek advice from an expert (doctor, allergist, etc.) if you suspect intolerance.
Last but not least, you should be aware that you should only eat peanuts in moderation. This will help you prevent excessive calorie intake and still allow you to benefit from the health benefits of the nutrients.
