Peanut, Shelf Life : 12 Months

Despite what the name might suggest, the humble peanut is actually not a true nut. On the contrary it belongs to the legume family, which includes peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas. With no real fossil records to speak of, peanuts probably have their origins in South America, in Peru or in Brazil, where they existed for thousands of years.

Subsequently, Spanish and Portuguese explorers discovered them and brought them over with their excursions into the New World, which lead them to Africa. The journey of the peanut continued until it finally found its way into North America, through African traders. Peanuts can be enjoyed in a wide number of ways – they can be eaten plain, added as a garnish, sprinkled as flakes, used as a cooking oil, or spread as a tasty (and popular) butter. However, this variety in consumption is only part of a much bigger reason why everyone should include peanuts in their diet.
 

Top reasons to eat peanuts
 

• Peanuts contain a lot of protein, which serves as a vital nutrient for the growth and maintenance of overall muscle and body organs such as the skin and hair.
   

• They serve as a protective function against cancers, heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease, and viral/fungal infections.
   

• They are rich in monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and thereby reduces the risk of coronary heart diseases.
   

• Peanuts also contain high amounts of niacin, which is used to convert starch that can be stored in muscles and liver for eventual use as an energy source.
   

Nutritional composition

Peanuts are a significant source of protein, manganese and niacin. They contain large portions of glutamic acid and monounsaturated fats. Peanuts also feature an array of other nutrients such as Vitamin E, folates and other minerals. It is because of these reasons they make a tasty snack and should be included as part of a balanced diet. Its nutritional composition includes:
 

Proteins: Proteins are commonly known as the building blocks of the human body and are widely considered to be the best-recognized nutrient in terms of its health importance.
 

Manganese: While manganese is not usually first thought of as a dietary mineral, it is nevertheless an important mineral that aids in skin integrity and blood sugar control.
 

Niacin: Niacin is a complex B Vitamin that has an important role in energy production through the synthesis of food and also aids in antioxidant protection by quenching free radicals, which protects the human body against excessive tissue damage