Peanuts are the most widely consumed nut in the U.S. and are used as a main source of nutritional benefits in developing countries. According to the "International Journal of Obesity" in 2006, peanut products possess strong satiety properties as well. Substances in peanut oil provide health benefits to individuals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture advises consumers to switch from saturated fats to polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats like peanut oil to receive maximum health benefits.
Properties of Peanut Oil
Oil makes up 47 to 50 percent of the peanut kernel. The peanut oil consists of the monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid and the polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid. According to the "Journal of Oleo Science" in 2010, peanut oil contains vitamin E and the minerals of sodium, phosphorus and potassium. Peanut oil supplies a compound similar in structure and function to cholesterol, called phytosterols. According to the Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute, plants like peanuts produce phytosterols. The phytosterols exert their effect by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestines.
Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Peanut Oil
The phytosterols in peanut oil inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Consequently, a reduction in LDL, known as "bad" cholesterol, and total cholesterol occurs as a result of the phytosterols in peanut oil. Replacing vegetable oil with peanut oil in the diet brings down the LDL and overall cholesterol level. According to the University of Florida, diets high in monounsaturated fat from oils such as peanut oil and olive oil lower the risk of heart disease by 21 percent.
Diabetes and Peanut Oil
The monounsaturated fatty acid in peanut oil improves insulin sensitivity. The journal, "Lipids in Health and Disease," in 2009 described the ability of peanut oil to reduce blood glucose to a normal range in a mouse model. A high intake of peanuts and other nuts produced a lower risk of developing diabetes indicated from the Nurses' Health Study and published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2002. Peanut oil in small amounts produces positive health benefits in diabetes.
Cancer and Peanut Oil
According to Zhion.com, phytosterols in peanut oil exhibit a protective role in preventing cancer in the colon, prostate and breast. "Nutrition and Cancer" reported in 2000 that peanut oil contains the phytosterol, beta-sitosterol, that functions as the active compound in the cancer prevention. Another substance, resveratrol, in peanut oil demonstrates the ability to reduce the risk of cancer in animal studies. Peanuts represent a highly beneficial food for cancer prevention.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Effects o f Peanut Oil Consumption on Appetite and Food Choice; S.S. Iyer, et al.; 2006
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Phytosterols
- "Lipids in Health and Disease"; Oleic Acid and Peanut Oil High in Oleic Acid; E.D. Vassiliou, et al.; 2009
- University of Florida: In a Nutshell: A Better Peanut
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Peanuts as a Source of Beta-sitosterol, a Sterol with Anticancer Properties; A.B. Awad, et al.; 2000
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