Fruity Thursday
Peanut/Groundnut/Ekpa/Jeda/Akwaekere

    
     
Peanut/groundnut belong to the Fabaceae (bean) family. Peanuts, Arachis hypogaea is a legume species. An annual herbaceous plant, that grows almost to ground level.

Despite their name, peanuts are not actually nuts, they are legumes. In most culinary uses, peanuts are classified as nuts because they behave more like nuts in the kitchen than other legumes, such as beans. For people with nut allergies, the distinction is particularly important, since many individuals with nut allergies can eat peanuts safely.
In Nigeria we can eat our groundnut alone or with so many other food, like bread, roasted plantain, maize, 'soaking garri', boiled rice and even making of 'groundnut soup.

I can not forget the great kuli kuli, dan-kwua and the original groundnut oil produced in the Northern part of Nigeria..awwww...During my growing-up days in Minna, I can literally finish a 'mudu' of kuli kuli in one day..Lol

      
Shelled nuts can be eaten fresh, roasted, or boiled, salted peanuts are often sold in packets or cans, the peanut oil extracted from this legume is used as a cooking medium, and broken peanut is used to make candy bars, and yes, let's not forget the creamy, crunchy peanut butter!

Here are some benefits of this great nut!

 Antioxidants: Peanuts contain high concentrations of the antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid and oleic acid, that not only protect the heart but inhibit the growth of free radicals, keeping infection at bay.

Minerals: A rich source of minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, calcium, sodium, etc, so needed by our body to function well, is ensured by a regular consumption of peanuts. Adequate supply of these minerals ensure a healthy heart, and ensure minimized risk of mineral deficient diseases.
                 
Helps Promote Fertility (Folate)
Peanuts contain a good amount of folate. Repeated studies have shown that women who had a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduced their risk of having a baby born with a serious neural tube defect by up to 70%.

Aids in Blood Sugar Regulation (Manganese)
One fourth cup of peanuts can supply the body with 35% of the DV of manganese, a mineral which plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation.
              
               
Helps Prevent Gallstones
It may come as a surprise that peanuts can help prevent gallstones. But 20 years of studies have shown that eating 1 ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter a week lowers the risk of developing gallstones by 25%.

Helps Fight Depression (Tryptophan)
Peanuts are good sources of tryptophan, an essential amino acid which is important for the production of serotonin, one of the key brain chemicals involved in mood regulation. When depression occurs, a decreased amount of serotonin may be released from the nerve cells in the brain. Tryptophan may raise serotonin’s antidepressant effects when there is an increased amount of serotonin in the blood.
                
                
Helps Lower Cholesterol Levels (Copper)
The same nutrient which gives peanuts their memory enhancing power also helps lower and control cholesterol levels. Added to that is their copper contents which aids in reducing bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels.

Heart Healthy Fats: Peanuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that keep the heart healthy. A good level, of both; monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats results in lowering blood cholesterol levels, and thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart diseases.
Enjoy!