Peanuts: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More
By Dr. Malavika Athavale +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Malavika Athavale
Last updated: Sep 16, 2025 Published on: Sep 12, 2022
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By Dr. Malavika Athavale +2 more
Table of Contents
Peanuts are one of the most commonly used ingredients in various foods and are frequently eaten as a snack. You may have also seen peanuts being sold in tiny cone-shaped paper wrappers on the street, or at the beach. Peanuts also provide many by-products, such as peanut oil, peanut butter, roasted peanuts, salted and sweet peanut bars, peanut sauce, peanut milk, peanut flour, and peanut beverages. They are also used in soups, processed meat products, and various desserts1.
The scientific name of peanuts is Arachis hypogaea, and they are commonly known as groundnuts. Peanuts are classified as peas and belong to the legumes/beans family1. Peanuts are cultivated globally due to their nutritional value and widespread use.
China is the largest producer of peanuts, followed by India and Nigeria1. Peanuts have many nutritional benefits, as discussed below.
The nutrients in 100 g peanuts are as follows:
Peanuts may provide the following benefits:
Various studies have shown that eating raw peanuts or by-products of peanuts may have positive effects on health. This might be due to the various bioactive compounds like oleic acid, phytosterols, resveratrol, and arginine in them1. Some of the potential uses of peanuts for human health are as follows.
One of the studies showed that the regular intake of peanuts may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Peanuts may help in lowering blood glucose levels, possibly due to their vitamins, proteins, and fibre content. They also contain unsaturated fatty acids, which increase insulin sensitivity. In addition, peanuts have bioactive compounds such as flavonoids that inhibit glucose-6-phosphate translocase, thereby reducing glucose production in the liver and ultimately lowering blood glucose levels2,3. However, more research is needed to understand the role of peanuts in diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment by a doctor, so it is important not to self-medicate and to seek medical advice.
It is suggested that the bioactive components of peanuts, like unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherol, selenium, copper, fibre, phytosterols, polyphenols, arginine, magnesium, and antioxidants in peanuts may help regulate inflammation1,4. However, additional research is necessary to prove these potential effects.
Research1 suggests that peanuts contain bioactive compounds, plant proteins, fibre, arginine, magnesium, monounsaturated fats, and potassium, which may help lower blood pressure and also help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, more studies are needed to confirm these effects. For high blood pressure, it is important to seek proper medical care and not self-medicate.
Peanuts and peanut butter may have the potential to help reduce the risk factors of heart diseases in individuals of all ages and genders and even in people with multiple risk factors like diabetes1. Peanuts may also help reduce total cholesterol level and improve blood circulation in the heart5. However, this needs to be verified by conducting extensive studies. Therefore, you should ensure that you consult a specialist for your heart disease and not self-medicate.
Several studies1 have shown that peanuts may have the potential to help with weight management. It was found that they might also have the potential to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol, and total cholesterol. One study found that consuming peanuts, peanut oil, and peanut butter helped maintain body weight. This suggests that peanuts may support weight reduction and could help in long-term weight management. However, further research is needed on the role of peanuts in weight management. It is advisable to consult a nutritionist before starting any weight management program.
Peanuts contain vitamin E and niacin, which may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. A study6 by Morris in 2004 involving over 4,000 people above 65 years suggested that niacin may help slow cognitive decline. This indicates that peanuts, which contain bioactive compounds, might play a role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, more evidence is needed to confirm these effects.
People who consume peanuts and peanut butter regularly were found to have a lower risk of gallbladder disease. One study7 also showed that the regular intake of nuts like peanuts, almonds and walnuts reduced the risk of gallstones. Further research is required to confirm these findings. If you suspect a gallbladder problem, you should consult a doctor.
Bioactive compounds in peanuts, such as phytosterols, resveratrol, and arginine, may contribute to potential anti-cancer effects. Some research9 suggests that phytosterols could help reduce the size of prostate tumours and lower the chances of recurrence. However, these effects are not yet proven and require further research. Serious conditions like cancer must be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor, so kindly consult a doctor.
Although there are studies that show the benefits of peanuts in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further research to establish the true extent of the benefits of peanuts on human health.
I suggest consuming peanuts regularly on a daily basis as they may extend your life. According to a large-scale study10, those who consumed nuts daily, including peanuts, were less likely to pass away for any reason than those who did not. The reason for this outcome is the presence of components such as antioxidants that may increase longevity and have been recognised for their potential to keep you away from illness.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Peanuts can be consumed raw or used for making various snacks and products. More than three hundred products were developed by the “father of the peanut industry” George Washington Carver1,8. Peanuts can be consumed in several forms, including:
They are also used for cooking, for example in soups and desserts.
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking peanuts in large amounts. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Numerous substances in peanuts and their skins have been shown in studies1 to offer potential health advantages beyond those of a basic diet. From my perspective, peanuts may be considered a functional food because they include a variety of useful ingredients, such as Coenzyme Q10, which may guard the heart against oxygen deprivation caused by conditions like high elevations and blocked arteries. In addition to being a good source of dietary fibre, peanuts also contain a variety of essential nutrients, such as vitamin E, iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium, as well as minerals like selenium, manganese, and copper, as well as other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids and resveratrol.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
The common side effects of peanuts include:
Allergies: Peanuts may cause allergies in some people. While the exact cause is not fully understood, the cotyledons (the inner part of the seed) are thought to contain components that can trigger allergic reactions1. Possible symptoms of peanut allergy include:
Food poisoning: Peanuts contaminated with the fungus Aspergillus flavus may cause food poisoning if consumed1.
Also Read: Bakuchi: Uses, Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
It is important to be cautious when consuming peanuts, as some individuals may experience the above-mentioned side effects. Make sure you are not allergic to peanuts before including them in your diet.
More research is needed to understand how peanuts interact with medicines. Therefore, if you are taking any medications or undergoing treatment, consult your doctor to confirm whether it is safe for you to consume peanuts.
Peanuts are well-known for their potential health benefits. In countries like India, where malnutrition is common, they are widely consumed as snacks and in products such as peanut oil, peanut butter, and peanut-based sauces. While peanuts may support health, they can also cause side effects such as diarrhoea, itching, swelling, vomiting, asthma, anaphylactic shock, and food poisoning. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before including peanuts in your diet.
Peanuts may have potential health benefits related to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, gallbladder disorders, certain cancer, high blood pressure and weight management1. However, further studies are needed to prove these potential effects.
Several studies1 have shown that peanuts may potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
There are no reliable reports supporting benefits of peanuts for the skin, and further research is needed in this area.
Peanuts can be included in a balanced diet when eaten in moderation. However, portion control is important as they are calorie-dense.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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