Peanut or groundnuts is a legume that can be processed into oil is known as peanut oil. Peanut oil is rich in fat with no cholesterol. Peanut plant flowers above ground and the seeds develop underground that’s why peanuts are also known as groundnuts.
Peanut oil can have a wide range of flavors that vary from mild and sweet to strong and nutty, it's depending upon the processing. It comes in a number of varieties, such as refined, unrefined, roasted, and cold-pressed, which have slight differences in their nutritional value and health benefits. Peanut oil is used to make medicine and in cooking.
Peanut oil has many health benefits such as, lower the bad cholesterol and make heart-healthy, help in weight loss, cancer-curing capacity, provide skincare, provide hair care, for gastrointestinal disturbances, etc.
Botanical Name: Arachis hypogaea L
The first experimented with producing Peanut Oil in 1802 in Landes. In the 1820s, the French Inspirit peanut planting in the colony of Senegal to improve the supply of peanuts for oil. By the 1830s, Peanut Oil was being used in Marseilles to make soap.
Peanut cultivation began in South America dating back to 7500 years ago. In the 1st century, the plant reached Mexico where it further spread to North America, China, and Africa. The peanut is currently a common crop planted around the world.
India is the second-largest peanut producer in the world. The nuts are produced in different variations including Spanish, bold, and red natal. The nuts are grown in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
The crop is planted in two cycles and harvested in March and October thus making the nuts available throughout the year.
There are many varieties of peanut oil depends upon the processing, Refined peanut oil, Cold-pressed peanut oil, Gourmet peanut oil, and Peanut oil blends.
Nutrition Profile
Health Benefits
Brain booster
Peanut oil has antioxidant properties. Vitamin E in peanut oil acts as an antioxidant that can prevent age-related mental decline.
Peanut oil is super oil because it contains all nutrients which enhance the brain activity and keep the nervous system healthy. Peanut oil boosts focus, concentration and mental ability so it is useful in making medicine.
Resveratrol found in peanut oil may have therapeutic value to neuronal degeneration; however further studies are needed.
An another study shows that use of peanut oil to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
MAIN THING: Peanut oil can help in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases which are characterized by progressive loss of the structure or function of brain cells. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are neurodegenerative diseases.
Heart health
Peanut oil is a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids such as omega 6 fatty acids and omega 9 fatty acids. These fatty acids are given protection to the heart from the heart attack, atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmia, ventricular enlargement, chest pain or angina, etc.
A review suggested that take less amount of saturated fat and more amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat may lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by as much as 30.
Peanut oil has no cholesterol. Peanut oil has plant sterol like phytosterols. It can remove bad cholesterol by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol from the stomach.
Another important compound resveratrol found in peanut oil. It helps to decrease blood pressure, which reduces risk of heart diseases.
MAIN THING: Monounsaturated fatty acids and resveratrol in peanut oil significantly improve your heart health.
Immunity booster
Peanut oil has many antioxidants as well as resveratrol. These can increase the power of the immune system. The antioxidant property of peanut oil is to act as an immunity booster.
A rich source of resveratrol in peanut oil is good for your immune system.
Anti-bacterial property can reduce the risk of infection and if infections occur antioxidants can fight with infections and boost up the immunity.
Virus, fungus, bacteria etc are susceptible to the antioxidants which present in peanut oil, so it can give protection against infection by stimulating the white blood cell production in the body. White blood cells are a natural fighter against the foreign body in the body and it can help in boosting the immunity.
MAIN THING: peanut oil also has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties. These all properties help to fight various kinds of infection, like bacteria, fungi, virus etc. it fights with infections and repair tissue damage.
Deal with diabetes
Peanut is a principal source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) may improve blood sugar levels in diabetic persons.
Whenever eating carbohydrates with fat, it can help in reducing the absorption of sugar from the digestive tract so food that is prepared in peanut oil can reduce the risk of diabetes as well as blood sugar control in a diabetic patient.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid present in peanut oil also replaces the saturated fat. A low level of saturated fat can improved insulin secretion. A good level of insulin can help in controlling the blood sugar level.
MAIN THING: Overall nutrient present in peanut oil can deal with diabetes and provide good health.
Cancer curing capacity
Peanut oil also has phytosterols and beta-sitosterol, which play the role of chemo protector. These chemo protectors can reduce the risk of cancer.
Vitamin E found in peanut oil its function as an antioxidant, which protecting the body from harmful substances called free radicals.
Many studies suggested that if more numbers of Free radicals can cause damage to cells. They significantly prove that effecr on chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease
One of study showed that phytosterols, particular beta-sitosterol found in peanut oil which may significantly protect the body from colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
Another research suggests that phytosterols compounds have the ability to inhibit cancer-cell growth and carcinogen production.
MAIN THING: Phytosterols found in peanut oil helps to prevent cancerous growth in body.
Skin care
Peanut oil is a wonderful remedy for different skin conditions because peanut oil is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E. vitamin E in peanut oil treat skin problems such as scabies, burns, wound, syphilis, rashes, skin irritation, etc. Vitamin E is necessary for the health of the skin. It can give protection against wrinkles, blemishes, premature aging, and other skin problems due to the free radicals.
Antioxidants in the peanut oil help to enhance the healing process and remove the inflammation.
Antioxidants in peanut oil also neutralize free radicals which present in the body, because free radicals can produce many chronic diseases. Free radicals in the body can produce oxidative stress in the body. This oxidative stress can damage the cells by decrease the oxygen supply so this oil can reduce the oxidative stress and reduce the fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.
MAIN THING: Peanut oil can be used in many beauty products like moisturizers, lip balms, lipsticks etc.
Hair care
Peanut oil contains vitamin E. vitamin E is the main ingredient for the growth of hair. An adequate amount of vitamin E in the body can provide provides conditioner to the hair, thickens hair and reduces hair fall by making hair stronger.
Antioxidants in peanut oil also provide nourishment to the hair by improving the blood circulation in the scalp.
MAIN THING: Antioxidants in peanut oil can treat dandruff and scalp psoriasis. Vitamin E in peanut oil can reduce protein loss from the hair and give thicken hair and also moisturizes split ends of hair.
Safety Profiles
Allergy: some content in peanut oil can produce allergy so look for the content present in oil before using it. It can produce vomiting, pain in the abdomen, swollen lips, difficulty in breathing, chest congestion, etc.
Obesity: High Calories present in peanut oil can cause weight gain. So do not over-consume if anyone already suffering from obesity.
Selection and Storage
Selection
Select the oil that can full of nutrients. During choosing of oil also look for the color of oil, the odor of oil and the quality of oil as well as content present in the oil.
Always buy oil at the supermarket where the good and fresh quality is available.
Storage
Store the oil in a clean, dry and airtight container. Keep in a cool and dry place away from humid weather.
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