The coffee and peanut diet is not any specific diet plan that originated from health experts. However, the consumption of peanuts and coffee can offer many nutritional benefits as part of a sensible diet. Coffee is a major source of the stimulant called caffeine and also includes trace amounts of vitamins, minerals and tannins. It contains very few calories but only if you avoid adding milk, cream and sugar. Peanuts provide protein, vitamin E and dietary fat to your diet. Coffee and peanuts are best consumed in moderation. Consult with a doctor about any possible allergies or sensitivity to these foods.
Benefits of Coffee
Caffeine is the stimulant found in coffee. It is also found in tea, chocolate, soft drinks, painkiller and cold medicines. After caffeine is ingested, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to all your organs. According to the Reader's Digest Association, it speeds up your heart rate, increases the flow of urine, produces digestive acids, relaxes muscles and acts as a mild laxative. Caffeine enhances mental performance by increasing the ability to concentrate and alertness. In "The Detox Diet," author Elson M. Haas says that athletes claim coffee can improve performance in endurance sports. The caffeine presumably increases muscle strength and increases the body's ability to burn fat. No evidence supports these claims.
Dangers of Caffeine
Consuming too much coffee during the day can result in several symptoms. These include insomnia, anxiety, irritability, a rapid heartbeat, tremors and excessive urination. According to the American Dietetic Association, caffeine can temporarily increase blood pressure and speed up your heart rate which can be problematic for heart patients. The stimulant also reduces calcium absorption which can increase your risk of osteoporosis. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, consume more calcium-rich foods like yogurt or milk to protect yourself. According to the Reader's Digest Association, some studies show that drinking more than six cup of coffee a day during pregnancy can increase your risk of miscarriage or a low birthweight baby. Research is still being conducted to prove this theory.
Significance of Complete Protein
Peanuts are an excellent source of protein. Protein is composed of chemical chains called amino acids. Some of these amino acids can be produced within the body. However, nine of the amino acids called essential amino acids must be consumed through food. Most animal sources such as meats, eggs and dairy products contain all nine essential amino acids and are called complete proteins. Most nuts and seeds are considered incomplete proteins because they lack the amino acid lysine. However, peanuts are the only nuts that contain this amino acid and can be considered a complete protein in your diet. According to the University of California at Berkeley, your muscles, organs, hormones and enzymes are all composed of protein.
Benefits of Vitamin E
All nuts contain thiamin, niacin, folic acid, iron, magnesium and dietary fiber. However, peanuts are most noted for its high content of a fat-soluble vitamin called vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects your tissues from oxidative damage. It helps neutralize and destroy free radicals. Free radical damage is linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol and the accelerated aging process.
Considerations for Peanuts
Although peanuts contain significant amount of nutrients, they also contain a great deal of fat. The high fat content of peanuts contributes to their high calorie count. According to the University of California at Berkeley, peanuts derive up to 97 percent of their calories from fat. For this reason, it is best to use peanuts sparingly in your diet. However, most of the fat found in peanuts is unsaturated which can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
References
- "The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition"; University of California at Berkeley; 1992
- "Foods That Harm Foods That Heal";The Reader's Digest Association Inc.;1997
- "The Detox Diet: A How-To & When-To Guide for Cleansing the Body";Elson M. Haas;2004
- "The American Dietetic Association's Complete Food and Nutrition Guide"; The American Dietetic Association; 1996
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