Peanuts are one of the most popular foods in the world—nutritious, affordable, and delicious in everything from snacks to desserts. In Brazil, they’re stars of beloved treats like paçoca, pé-de-moleque, cakes, and festive sweets. But beyond flavor and tradition, peanuts carry a range of surprising effects on the body—some extremely beneficial and others worth paying attention to.
If peanuts are part of your daily routine, here’s what experts say they can really do for your health.
Why Peanuts Are So Remarkable
Although often grouped with nuts, peanuts are actually legumes native to South America. And nutritionally, they’re impressive.
Peanuts are packed with:
- High-quality plant protein
- Healthy fats
- Vitamins A, B6, and E
- Minerals such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus
- Lecithin, choline, carotenoids, and essential amino acids
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