Peanut

Scientific Name: Arachis hypogaea

Bahasa Indonesia: Kacang

Batak: Gambiri

Basic Information: The peanut belongs to the botanical family Fabaceae, which is also known as Leguminosae. The peanut is classified as both a grain legume and an oil crop. The peanut pods develop underground rather than aboveground. After fertilization, a short stalk at the base of the ovary elongates to form a thread-like structure known as a “peg” which grows down in to the soil, and the tip, which contains the ovary develops into a mature peanut pod. The pods are 3-7 cm and normally contain one to four seeds. The plant grows between 30 and 50 cm, the leaves are opposite and pinnate with four leaflets, and like many other legumes, the leaves are nyctinastic meaning they close at night. Peanuts originated in South America. 

Health Benefits:

  1. Prevents Diabetes – low carbohydrates and sugars found in peanuts and a high presence of manganese helps glucose to enter muscle and liver calls and stabilize blood sugar levels.
  2. Prevents Gallstones – the healthy fatty acids in peanuts help to reduce bad blood cholesterol levels and raise the good cholesterol.
  3. Boosts Memory – niacin and resveratrol in peanuts improve the blood flow to the brain,which helps boost memory. In addition, resveratrol prevents neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
  4. Prevents Depression – the amino acids help with the synthesis of serotonin, which promotes positive moods.
  5. Helps with Weight Loss – peanuts are loaded with protein and fiber, both of which have appetite suppressing effects. 
  6. Promotes Healthy Skin – high levels of vitamin E and various B vitamins help to preserve skin health.
  7. Reduces the Risk of Stroke – the resveratrol helps prevent damage to blood vessels and can help increase levels of nitric oxide.
  8. Prevents Stomach Cancer – many antioxidants in peanuts reduce the formation of toxic nitrogen based compounds in the stomach.
  9. Contributes to Healthy Pregnancies – high levels of folic acid help prevent neural tube defects and helps prevent peanut allergies. 
  10. Promotes the Well-Being of your Heart – the good fats, resveratrol, and other micro minerals facilitate optimum function of the heart, reduce constrictive potential of blood vessels, and help clear cholesterol. 
  11. Helps Prevent Genetic “Mistakes” – the biotin found in peanuts help regulate gene expression.

Fun Facts:

  • Researchers believe the ancient Aztecs started mashing up peanuts hundreds of years ago, a more modern version began to resurface in the 1890s that we now know as peanut butter
  • Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth
  • Leftover peanut shells can be used to make kitty litter, kindling, fireplace logs, compost, and even packing material

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut

https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-benefits-peanuts/

http://mentalfloss.com/article/76902/15-nutty-facts-about-peanuts