PEANUT OIL

About Peanut Oil

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the peanut is that it isnt a nut at all. Its actually a legume, in the same family as lentils, peas and beans.They are also known as groundnuts because after the pea-like flowers wither, the stem pushes underground and buries the developing peanuts.These super pint-sized nuts are a very good source of monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that is emphasized in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet.Studies of diets with a special emphasis on these nuts have shown that this little legume is a big ally for a healthy heart.In addition to their monounsaturated fat content, they feature an array of other nutrients that, in numerous studies, have been shown to promote heart health.They’re also good sources of vitamin-E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese.Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthful fat found in olive oil, but new research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as many fruits.While unable to boast an antioxidant content that can compare with the fruits highest in antioxidants, such as pomegranate, the roasted variety do rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets.