Peanuts: the Lifesaving Legume

You may know that peanuts pack a lot of nutrition into every tiny kernel. But what you may not know is just how big of an impact its nutrition has on people around the world.

We’ve covered before how much support peanuts offer in helping us live a longer life, and how they have been linked to lowering our risk of cardiovascular disease and heart disease mortality as part of a healthy, plant-based diet. Peanut butter also has a history steeped in health, as it was invented in 1895 as a means to provide nutrients to older populations who couldn’t chew meat.

But even that’s just scratching the surface of their incredible nutritional powers—and their power to make a difference.

How Plant-Based Protein is Better.

When comparing animal-based protein to plant-based protein like peanuts, research has shown that opting for the latter is associated with a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular disease mortality.

In addition to that big impact on our health, its cultivation and production also make a much smaller impact on the planet when compared to animal proteins—including meat, eggs and cheese.

Blue Zones and Longevity

The connection between peanuts and longevity also pops up in the study of different “Blue Zones” around the planet—which are areas that have life expectancies that are extraordinarily higher than average.

Over an 8-year study, researchers found that many of the diets popular in these Blue Zones shared a common theme: they were usually plant-based, emphasized whole foods, and used beans and legumes (like peanuts) to provide much of their protein.

Disease Prevention

But longevity is only one of the benefits peanuts offer. They’ve also shown to be protective against diseases, including certain cancers(like esophageal, prostate, colon, pancreatic, and certain types of breast cancer),as well as effective in preventing and managing type-2 diabetes, and reducing inflammation.

Fighting Malnutrition Worldwide

Because of their unique combination of being a low cost food that provides a dense assortment of vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber — as well as their disease-preventive properties — peanuts and peanut butter have been used to answer a higher calling: fighting malnutrition around the world.

RUTFs, or Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods, are peanut-based products specially formulated to treat severe malnutrition by promoting weight gain, strength, and overall health. With the support of global partners, RUTFs have been a lifeline for millions of adults and children in impoverished areas worldwide.

It’s an amazing development that sees peanut butter come full circle—from providing important nutrients for older generations, to helping improve the health of the next.

And for one little legume, what could be bigger than that?

Can Peanuts Help Save Lives?

While no one food can offer everything our bodies need, peanuts and peanut butter offer a nutrient dense option with big benefits—including fighting against disease, promoting a longer life, and even fighting malnutrition around the world.