Peanuts, contrary
to their name, are not really
nuts. They are a member of the
legume family along with peas,
lentils, chickpeas and other
beans. Peanuts start growing as
a ground flower - but because
the peanut flower is very heavy
- it bends towards the ground
and eventually pushes it’s way
underground where the peanut
matures.
A University of Florida team
says peanuts are rich in
antioxidants which protect cells
from damage linked to heart
disease and cancer. Peanuts
also contain high levels of
protein and "good"
monounsaturated fat.
The US researchers tested the antioxidant content of a dozen
different varieties of peanuts.
Antioxidants are the naturally
occurring substances in plants
that protect the body from free
radicals - 'volatile' chemicals
in the blood.
Although free radicals do play an important role in the immune
system, they also alter
cholesterol in a process known
as oxidation, which is thought
to speed up the hardening of the
arteries.
Red and orange fruits and vegetables are already known to be
particularly high in
antioxidants. But the
researchers found peanuts were
also high in the beneficial
chemicals. They found peanuts
contain high levels of
polyphenols, a family of
chemicals commonly found in
foods, which have strong
antioxidant properties.
Steve Talcott of the University of Florida, who led the research,
said: "When it comes to
antioxidant content, peanuts are
right up there with
strawberries. 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."
