Peanut has lots of health benefits but....

PEANUT BENEFITS
March 2009

Outbreak of salmonellosis associated with the consumption of peanut butter has
happened in 1996 [2] and hydrogenated fat, a type of fat, was found to be added
during processing in some peanut butter [7]. The sales of peanut was subsided
in the late 1990s. However, as the manfacturers improve the manufacturing
process and safety issue, peanut becomes one of the American's favorite food
again.Peanut is a rich source of vitamin E, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6,
copper, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, magnesium, fibers and protein. It also has
a small amount of resveratrol, the antioxidant in red wine that has been linked to
the "French Paradox," a low incidence of heart disease among the French,
despite their love of cheese and other high-fat foods. Research at several
universities suggests peanuts may help lower risk in heart disease and diabetes.
It also may help weight loss (obesity prevention), possibly by making people feel
satisfied so they eat less overall.

NUTRITION AND OBESITY PREVENTION
Dori Stehlin in a FDA Obesity Working Group Reference, considered that peanut
oil is one of the best sources for polyunsaturated fat. [6] It is also recommended in
a FDA conference as a member in one of the four groups for daily consumption.
[8]

Griel AE et al at The Pennsylvania State University demonstrated that peanut
users had higher intake of vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc,
and iron and dietary fiber, and lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. [3]

DIABETES
Jiang R et al at Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, found that peanut butter
might have potential benefits in lowering risk of type 2 diabetes in women. They
even recommended to use regular nut as a replacement for refined grain
products or red or processed meats to avoid increasing caloric intake. [4]

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (RISK FOR HEART DISEASE)
Alper CM and Mattes RD at Purdue University, found that peanut consumption
could reduce triacylglycerol but increase body dietary fiber, magnesium, folate,
alpha tocopherol, copper and arginine. They concluded that regular peanut
consumption lowers serum triacylglycerol, augments consumption of nutrients
associated with reduced CVD risk and increases serum magnesium
concentration. [5]

CANCER / TUMOR
Recent studies from State University of New York at Buffalo have suggested that
peanuts and its products, such as peanut oil, peanut butter, and peanut flour are
good sources of phytosterols. Phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol, have
demonstrated their protective role in colon, prostate, and breast cancer [1].

NEGATIVE ASPECT - GERMS
Outbreak of salmonellosis associated with the consumption of peanut butter has
happened in 1996. Researchers from University of Georgia at Griffin, found that
Salmonella could survive in peanut butter and spreads as long as the duration of
the product shelf life.[2]

NEGATIVE ASPECT-HYDRGENATED FAT
Hydrogenated fat, a type of fat, might be added during processing to peanut
butter. Hydrogenated fat, like saturated fat, may promote the development of
atherosclerosis. [7]

Peanut Allergy
Peanut and/or tree nut allergy is a major health concern affecting over 1% of Americans.
Although food allergy in general is the most common cause of anaphylaxis treated in
emergency departments, reactions to nuts account for a disproportionate amount of deaths
from food allergy. Peanut allergy is a Type I hypersensitivity (IgE mediated) immune response.
[A1]

REFERENCES
[1] Awad AB et al, Peanuts as a source of beta-sitosterol, a sterol with anticancer properties, Nutr Cancer.
2000;36(2):238-41. [2] Burnett SL et al, Survival of Salmonella in peanut butter and peanut butter spread, J
Appl Microbiol. 2000 Sep;89(3):472-7. [3] Griel AE et al, Improved diet quality with peanut consumption, J
Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6):660-8. [4] Jiang R et al, Nut and peanut butter consumption and risk of type 2
diabetes in women, JAMA. 2002 Nov 27;288(20):2554-60. [5] Alper CM and Mattes RD, Peanut consumption
improves indices of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy adults, J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Apr;22(2):133-41.
[6] Dori Stehlin , Women and Nutrition: A Menu of Special Needs, FDA Consumer Magazine, January-
February 1991. [7] Marilynn Larkin Lowering Cholesterol FDA Consumer magazine, a few years ago. [8]
Weston A. Price Foundation, Comments to the FDA Obesity Working Group Reference Docket Number
2003N-0338, December 12, 2003 [N1] Peanut product recalls Associated Press March 19 2009. [A1] Lee LA,
Burks AW. New insights into diagnosis and treatment of peanut food allergy. Front Biosci. 2009 Jan
1;14:3361-71.

ALL RIGHT RESERVED

Lehi Valley Trading Co. Inc. recalled its several trail mixes and peanut products
because the products may be contaminated with salmonella on March 12, 2009.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections,
especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune
systems. [N1]