Peanuts: Most are Carcinogenic & Pesticide-Contaminated, But There are Safe Sources!
by SixWise.com
Peanuts are actually beans that grow in pods in a root system
(seen here) where they mature underground.
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Whether
in front of the TV or at sporting events, whether straight from
the shell or spread over bread, Americans eat about eight pounds
of peanuts per person each year. In fact, over half of the "nuts"
consumed in the United States each year are peanuts!
That
would be good news as clean and healthy peanuts are a nutritious
food choice, widely proven to help prevent heart disease and type-2
diabetes, among other benefits as you will read below.
Unfortunately,
though, nearly all of the peanuts consumed in the U.S. are now among
the most carcinogenic and pesticide-contaminated of any snack we
commonly eat.
There
are some clean and healthy choices -- but first you have to know
where to look, what to look for, and why you are looking in the
first place!
Why
the Nut that is Not a Nut Can Be Dangerous
For
starters, the peanut (arachis hypogea) is actually not a nut at
all. It is a bean -- and a peculiar one at that. It is part of the
legume family, and while most of the beans found in this family
grow in pods on sprawling, climbing vines, the peanut plant is a
lonely bush that matures its pods underneath the ground in a root
system.
It
is primarily due to the peanuts' direct contact with the soil that
they have become harmful, and even dangerous, to your health.
While
actual nuts like almonds and walnuts have strong, hard shells that
protect them, the legume known as a peanut has soft and porous skin.
When the environment surrounding the peanut becomes warm, humid
and wet -- as it does in most regions of the U.S. where peanuts
are commonly grown -- a fungal growth occurs.
The
fungus itself is not dangerous, but the poison it releases, known
as "aflatoxin," is. This cancer-causing agent attacks
the liver and is one of the more deadly food-borne toxins in existence.
Largely
because of the regions they're commonly grown in and the fact that
they're relatively easy for pests to attack and penetrate, peanuts
are also one of the crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides.
So the standard peanut packs a double-whammy risk to your health.
But
don't mourn another convenient, tasty and otherwise nutritious food
icon being shot to pieces -- there are healthy solutions for young
and old peanut-lovers alike...
Minus
Aflatoxins and Pesticides, Peanuts Can Be Quite Healthy
According
to a 2002 Harvard School of Public Health study published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association, consuming a half serving
(one tablespoon) of peanut butter five or more times a week can
reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 20%.
Harvard
research also showed that that substituting peanuts and nuts for
saturated fat or refined carbohydrates can reduce risk of heart
disease by 45 and 30 percent, respectively.
Frank
Hu, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at
Harvard School of Public Health and an author of the 2002 study,
says, "Given the observed inverse association between nuts
and risk of coronary heart disease as well as type 2 diabetes, it
is advisable to recommend regular peanut butter and nut consumption
as a replacement for refined grain products or red or processed
meats, which would avoid increasing caloric intake."
Various
other studies, such as the Iowa Women's Health Study and the Physicians
Heath Study, have also demonstrated peanut butter's strong cardio-protective
benefits.
And
in a six month study conducted by Pennsylvania State University,
subjects following a "peanut diet" lowered their total
cholesterol by 11 percent and the bad LDL cholesterol by 14 percent.
Triglycerides were also lowered but the good HDL cholesterol was
maintained.
So
overwhelming is the clinical evidence for these health benefits
that, in 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affirmed
a qualified health claim that peanuts and some other nuts may reduce
the risk of heart disease when consumed regularly.
Peanuts
are also a very good source of fiber, vitamin E, potassium, folate,
zinc and magnesium. A Purdue University study showed that subjects
with low magnesium levels in their blood improved to normal ranges
when they consumed peanuts daily.
Peanuts
also contain resveratrol (the substance found in red wine), flavonoids,
and antioxidants, all of whose health benefits are increasingly
being proven to help you prevent a wide variety of diseases.
Finally,
in addition to containing over 75 percent good unsaturated fat,
peanuts contain the highest amount of vegetable protein of any "nut"
-- vegetarians and vegans take note!
The
key is therefore to:
A)
Consume peanuts routinely, but in moderation
B)
Choose a source that does NOT pose the aflatoxin and pesticide
risk...
The
#1 Bestselling Organic Natural Peanut Butter
The
key to consuming healthy peanuts is to make sure they are USDA organic,
and grown in a region where the soil is dry and aflatoxin has therefore
not been reported as a problem, such as New Mexico.
It
is unlikely that in a typical grocery store you will be able to
find peanuts or peanut butter that meets these requirements, but
you can check out your local health food store.
Alternately,
SixWise.com highly recommends you try Maranatha
Certified Organic Peanut Butter right now
-- the #1 bestselling organic peanut butter in the U.S.!
Maranatha Peanut Butter tastes considerably better than standard
brands, as you will see, and is USDA Certified Organic. This means
it is free of pesticides and made by farmers who only use approved
materials that are completely safe to humans, animals and soil life.
They must develop an organic farm management plan, keep detailed
records, and have their crops inspected annually in order to remain
certified.
Furthermore,
the nuts used to produce Marantha peanut butter only come from dry
weather environments where aflatoxins have not been reported as
an issue, such as New Mexico.
Production
of Maranatha Certified Organic Peanut Butter
- Valencia
peanuts from the dry soil of New Mexico are grown with
no pesticides or harmful chemicals.
- The
peanuts are sun-dried. No stabilizers, hydrogenated oils,
sugars, artificial color, flavors or preservatives are
added. The ingredients are just peanuts and some sea salt.
- The
peanuts are poured into a large gas-flame roaster.
- They
are then transferred into another machine to cool.
- After
they are cooled, the nuts get transported to a room where
they are crushed until butter forms.
- The
all-natural 100% organic peanut butter is placed into
jars, labeled and boxed for shipment.
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Maranatha
Organic Peanut Butter is the top choice we found to experience all
the health benefits and incredible taste of peanuts without the
health risks. There are other products on the market, but again
be careful to ensure they are certified organic and that they come
from a dry-weather region where aflatoxin has not been reported
as an issue.
Sources
Managing
Pesticides for Peanut Production and Water Quality Protection
The
Beneficial Effect of Peanuts and Nuts
USDA
Certified Organic: What It Means To You