Nutrition

Health benefits of Peanut

Published

4 years ago

February 18, 2023

/home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/peanut-.jpg&description=Health benefits of Peanut', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/peanut-.jpg&description=Health benefits of Peanut', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

• Peanut

Peanuts are delectably crispy, nutty, and delicious. The kernels are rich in numerous noteworthy nutrients that are beneficial to health and overall wellness.

These tasty nuts can be a healthy addition to diet as they are rich in beneficial minerals, vitamins, and plant compounds.Most people take it at snacks.Peanuts are nutritionally dense and healthy.

– Promote healthy heart

Eating peanuts helps protect the body against coronary heart disease (CHD). A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that peanuts lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.

-Aids weight Loss

Peanuts are very high in calories, but they contribute to weight loss instead of weight gain. Peanuts are energy-dense foods. That is why having them as a snack may make you consume fewer calories later in the day. Peanuts elicited stronger feelings of fullness when consumed as a snack than with a meal. This may eventually help with weight loss.

-Prevents gallstones

Consumption of peanuts is linked to a lower risk of gallstones. A study conducted by the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston) found that consumption of peanuts lowers the risk of gallstones. Men consuming five or more units of nuts (including peanuts) a week are at a lower risk of gallstone disease.

– Aids blood sugar control

Adding peanuts or peanut butter to a meal does not spike blood sugar levels. Having them along with a meal would stabilise blood sugar levels.

-Reduces cancer risk

High intake of peanuts (including other nuts) has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The isoflavones, resveratrol, and phenolic acid found in peanuts have anticancer properties which may help reduce the risk of cancer

-Treat erectile dysfunction

Peanuts are rich in arginine, which is an essential amino acid (Arginine has been studied extensively as a possible treatment for erectile dysfunction.

-Boosts energy

Peanuts are a rich source of protein and fibre that assists in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy. The protein content of peanuts is around 25 per cent of the total calories. The fibre and protein combination in peanuts slows down the digestive process to facilitate a steady release of energy into the body.

-Have antioxidative properties

Peanuts are rich in numerous plant compounds and antioxidants. Most of these compounds are available in the skin of peanuts, which should be eaten raw to get all of its benefits. Some of the plant compounds that are readily available in peanuts include resveratrol, coumaric acid, and phytosterols that help impair the absorption of cholesterol, isoflavones, and phytic acid found in plant seeds.

Source: Health.com

Nutrition

Can Ghana feed its people well? Building a nutrition-sensitive food system

Published

3 hours ago

August 29, 2026

WeeklySpectator

When we talk about nutrition in Ghana, the conversation often focuses on individual choices: eat more vegetables, reduce sugar and salt, drink more water and exercise regularly.

These messages are important, but they tell only part of the story. Good nutrition is not just a personal responsibility; it is also a food-system issue.

What Ghanaians eat is influenced by what farmers produce, what food costs, how it is processed and marketed, what is served in schools, and what information consumers receive.

Ghana has the agricultural capacity to produce a wide variety of nutritious foods, including vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish, eggs, roots and tubers. Yet production alone is not enough. Poor storage, transportation challenges and weak market access mean that an estimated 30 per cent of food in Ghana can spoil before reaching consumers or retailers, according to a 2025 study by the International Growth Centre. The losses are particularly significant for fruits and vegetables, reducing both farmers’ incomes and the availability of nutritious foods. This is where policy becomes important.

Agricultural policies should consider not only how much food Ghana produces, but also whether that food contributes to healthy diets. Greater support for diverse crops, local vegetables, fruits and legumes could strengthen both agriculture and nutrition.

The food-processing industry has a role as well. Processing can reduce food waste, improve convenience and create new markets for local produce. But greater attention should be paid to the nutritional quality of processed foods, particularly those high in salt, added sugar and unhealthy fats.

Public education must also become more practical. Telling people to “eat healthy” is not enough when nutritious foods may be unaffordable or unavailable. Consumers need information, but they also need a food environment that makes healthier choices realistic.

Good nutrition begins on the farm, continues through the market and food industry, reaches the school and household, and ultimately ends on the plate.

What is needed is greater coordination.

A successful nutrition strategy should connect agricultural production with health objectives, school feeding with local agriculture, food processing with nutritional quality, and public education with the realities of household income and food prices.

The ultimate goal is not simply to produce more food.

It is to ensure that Ghanaians have reliable access to safe, affordable and nutritious food throughout their lives.

Feature Article by Women, Media and Change

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS