Peanut Oil – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Saturday, July 22, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Peanut oil is the edible oil extracted by pressing peanut kernels. Cold-pressed peanut oil is characterized by its sweet flavor and nutty aroma as well as its deep yellow color. On the other hand, refined peanut oil features a light yellow color and a more neutral flavor. Due to their healthy oils, peanuts are now commercially cultivated in various parts of the world including the U.S., China, India, and African countries. According to the health and wellness website Live Strong, peanut oils contain essential nutrients that make it a healthy choice for cooking.

List of known nutrients

Peanut oil is among the healthiest plant byproducts as it contains essential vitamins and minerals that boost the body’s overall health. According to an article on the Nutrition and You website, peanut oil contains important nutrients such as:

Iron
Linoleic Acid
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
Phytosterols
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Zinc

Medicinal uses for peanut oil

Peanut oil is best known for its cardiovascular benefits. Unlike other vegetable oils, peanut oil does not contain cholesterol. This makes it an ideal cooking choice as it helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis. Likewise, the presence of plant sterols helps mitigate heart risk by competing for cholesterol absorption in the stomach and intestines. This, in turn, lowers cholesterol levels by 10 to 15 percent.

Peanut oil is also an excellent source of monounsaturated fats that increase good cholesterol levels in the blood, thereby slashing the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack. Additionally, the high linoleic acid levels in peanut oil facilitate the contraction and dilation of blood vessels and other muscles in the body. Aside from this, the resveratrol in peanut oils is known to counter the effects of various hormones that trigger arterial and blood vessel constriction. As a result, this decreases blood pressure and cardiac stress.

In addition, peanut oil contains powerful polyphenol antioxidants that combat the harmful effects of free radicals and lower the odds of developing cancer. Likewise, its antispasmodic effect helps improve the body’s insulin levels and regulates blood sugar rates. Similarly, peanut oil is known for its efficacy in alleviating various digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea. Besides this, the oil’s resveratrol content is found to stave off cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Moreover, peanut oil is an excellent source of protein that promotes muscle growth and stamina. It can also be used as an essential oil in massage to help rejuvenate the body and relieve muscle and joint pain. Furthermore, peanut oil is touted to address various skin conditions such as rashes and acne. The oil can also be used to promote hair growth and treat dandruff.

Body systems supported by peanut oil

Peanut oil is particularly beneficial to the heart and the circulatory system. Likewise, peanut oil benefits the muscular, skeletal, digestive and nervous systems. Peanut oil also promotes healthy skin and hair.

Ways to use peanut oil

Peanut oil is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. The oil’s sweet and nutty flavor makes it an ideal staple in desserts and baked goods. Peanut oil can also be added to a wide array of side dishes, appetizers and salads. Likewise, it can be incorporated in light meals as well as various meat and vegetable dishes. An article posted on BBC.co.uk has curated other interesting peanut oil recipes.