Do Peanuts Cause Inflammation? | The Peanut Institute (2024)

FAQs

Do Peanuts Cause Inflammation? | The Peanut Institute? ›

The short answer is no, and in fact, peanuts and some peanut products like peanut butter have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Inflammation in the body is a mechanism thought to be at the center of the majority of chronic diseases.

Tree nuts and peanuts lower risk factors of cardiometabolic disease, including blood lipids, blood pressure and insulin resistance, among others. Given their strong antioxidant/anti-inflammatory potential, it is plausible that nuts may also exert a favorable effect on inflammation and oxidative stress.

In particular, experts recommend avoiding these inflammatory foods: Red meat, such as steak and hamburgers. Processed meat, such as bologna, bacon, sausage and lunchmeat. Commercial baked goods such as snack cakes, pies, cookies and brownies.

Peanuts contain very high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA, Omega 6). It has been well established in the medical community that a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids leads to coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and other serious health problems.

Almonds (nuts in general)-Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are among some of the best nuts to eat when wanting to avoid inflammation. What makes these so easy to eat is that they can be a snack, incorporated into a main dish, or sprinkled on dessert. Try to get these in your diet, daily if possible.

Foods that can be inflammatory: Highly processed foods, like corn chips, fried foods and too much red meat, sugar, wheat, rye and barley in people with gluten allergies of celiac disease.

Is it OK if I eat peanuts everyday? ›

So, is it safe to eat peanuts every day? The short answer is yes*. You can have great health benefits from eating peanuts each day. Peanuts can be a great addition to a plant-forward lifestyle.

Too much peanuts intake at one time may even lead to stomach discomfort. Constipation, diarrhoea and bloating are common issues associated with excessive peanuts intake. So, it is recommended to take peanuts in moderate quantities if you are already suffering from stomach related issues.

Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.

Similarly, intakes of peanuts and other nuts were both inversely associated with inflammatory markers. Higher intake of other nuts was significantly associated with lower CRP and IL-6, and higher intake of peanuts was associated with lower CRP and TNFR2 (Supplemental Table 2).

Peanuts contain mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and they are high in protein and fiber. Malik recommends eating peanuts with the skins intact, because they contain anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.

A peanut sensitivity is a digestive issue in which your body will produce an inflammatory response to the particular proteins in a peanut which can lead to discomfort, even severe, without the need for immediate medical attention.