Health Benefits And Concerns Associated With Groundnuts And Tree Nuts

Overview of Nuts

Discuss about the Peanut Consumption Health Benefits.

People are consuming Ground nuts and Tree nuts for many years as the source of protein, iron, vitamins and other nutrients. Arachis hypogaea or Peanuts are also known as groundnuts and goober. Some tree nuts that are consumed as raw or added with other products are walnuts, almond, cashew, pecan etc. The consumption of peanuts is highest in America it grew from 6.6 lbs to 7 pounds in two years (2012 to 2014) [1]. The allergies related to nuts also higher in the United States. The consumption of peanuts and tree nuts is increased in all over the world and the health issues associated these nuts also raised with time. In this report, the health benefits, adverse health issues and the current research related to peanuts and tree nuts will be discussed.  Nutritional composition and the precaution to avoid the nut allergies will also be mentioned in this study.

Nuts are the fruits composed of a hard shell and the edible seed. All the seeds, legumes and dry fruits are considered nuts but in a botanical context, the nuts are the dry hard fruit, which is not split open at its maturity to release the seed. Most of the edible oily seeds are considered as nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, and tree nuts.

Peanuts are the type of nuts that are originated in South America and scientifically known as Arachis hypogaea. Peanuts are also called groundnuts, earthnuts, and goober [2].

Peanuts are rich in fat and classified as oilseeds. The nutritional information has been mentioned in table 1. Peanuts are the goods source of protein as they contain 20 to 30 % protein content. They also contain carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals 

Table1. Nutritional content of Peanuts [4]

Peanuts have various health-promoting characteristics such as weight loss, preventing CVD, reduce the risk of gallstone, cancer, and diabetes.

Weight loss

Various studies revealed that consumption of peanuts might help to maintain the healthy weight and reduce the obesity risk [5]. It promotes satiety to the greater extent to reduce the food intake. Peanuts are the great source of fiber, which helps to reduce the risk of weight gain. 

Cardiovascular health

Peanuts consumption helps to prevent the risk of developing heart-related diseases. The nutrients like magnesium, copper, niacin and oleic acid are considered heart-healthy nutrients.

Prevention of gallstone

Frequently taking peanuts may contribute to preventing the risk of developing gallstone. The cholesterol reducing effects of the peanuts are helpful to reduce gallstone.

Nutritional Composition of Peanuts

Diabetes and cancer prevention

Peanuts are also helpful in reducing the risk associated with Type-two diabetes, inhibiting the proliferation of leukemia and showing the anticancer activity [6].

There is some fatal allergic reaction may cause by eating peanuts and/or breathing the dust from peanut. Peanuts may also be infected by the fungus named Aspergillus flavus, which releases a carcinogenic element or substance known as aflatoxin. The main symptoms associated with aflatoxin poisoning include yellow discoloration of eyes, loss of appetite and liver failure and liver cancer in a severe case [7].

According to a report published by Davis et al (2008), around 12 million peoples are affected by food allergies in America, including 5 to 8 percent. Among all the food allergies nuts allergies account for 0.6 % allergies. Less than 3 million citizens of the United States affected only by peanut associated allergies. Prevention of peanut allergies can be achieved by preventing the exposure of peanuts.  Keeping epinephrine shots ready may be beneficial to avoid allergic reaction that may be life-threatening [8]. The researcher at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) revealed that consuming peanuts in infancy might prevent peanut allergy [9].

School of immunology & microbial science and MRC (medical research council) researchers develop new accurate and safe diagnostic test for peanut allergies [10]. An experimental vaccine composed of peanut protein and Nano-emulsion, detergent water and droplets of highly purified soybean shown to protect against the allergic symptoms in mice. An article published in BBC news by Westbrook revealed that skin prick blood test has been developed to diagnose peanut allergies, which further stated that the test is less risky and cost-effective compared to other available tests [11].

Tree nuts are the dry fruit that has one seed in which the outer and inner layer of ovary becomes dry and hard when comes at maturity. Commonly used tree nuts are walnuts, almonds, pistachios and the cashews. Tree-nuts are considered the great-value products that are used mostly for snacks foods and as the confectionary ingredients; therefore, the beneficial marketing needs more attention to maintain the better quality of these nuts [12].           

Tree nuts such as almonds, cashew, hazelnuts, pecan, pistachio, macadamia, and walnuts are rich in nutrients like calories, protein, iron, and potassium. One ounce of almonds contains nearly 6 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of dietary fibers. A complete nutrient’s information is mentioned in table 2 below.

Table 2. Nutritional information of tree nuts [13]

• Various studies revealed that consuming might reduce the risk of developing CHD (coronary heart diseases), cancer and type-2 diabetes.
• The antioxidant present in tree nuts with different chemical characteristics may have a beneficial effect in scavenging the free radicals [14].
• Walnuts are helpful to improve bone health and improve the metabolism in the body. These tree nuts also contribute to alleviating mood of adults and children.

• Consumption of tree nuts may increase weight
• Consuming tree nuts regularly may cause allergies. Symptoms associated with tree nut allergies include abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, nasal congestion, nausea, shortness if breathing and anaphylaxis.
• Eating tree nuts excessively may cause rashes and swell on the body.
• People with walnut allergy may suffer some serious health issues such as throat and tongue swelling [15].

Allergies related to tree nuts is one of the most common nut allergies. It is affecting nearly 0.5 to 1% of the total population of the United States [16]. A study conducted by Sicherer et al found that the prevalence of allergies associated with tree nut among kids, increased in past few years from 0.2 percent to 1.1 % [17]. The best way to prevent tree nut allergies is to avoid eating the tree nuts and products contain these nuts. Some alcoholic beverages also contain nuts should be avoided. Tree nut oils containing nut protein, lotions, and hair care products can also cause allergies [18].

The on-going study on tree nuts allergy by Scurlock believed to develop a novel immunotherapy to treat the nuts allergy [19].

Conclusion

Peanuts and tree nuts both are consumed in all over the globe but highest in the United States. By reviewing several studies conducted on health benefits and health concerns associated with groundnuts and tree nuts, it can be concluded that there are various health benefits of nuts such as weight loss, preventing CVD and gallstone, reducing the risk of CHD and cancer and improves metabolism. Nuts contain healthy nutrients such as protein, dietary fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, iron, and calcium. Peanuts and tree nuts may cause allergies and other health issues like abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea. It was found that Nuts have both favourable and unfavourable effects on health. The negative impacts can be controlled by some safety measure or precautions such as avoid eating nuts and the products contain nuts and keeping epinephrine shots.

References

1. Here’s the shocking number of peanuts you eat every year [Document on the Internet]: national peanut board; 2018 [cited 2018 July 19]. Available from: https://www.nationalpeanutboard.org/news/heres-the-shocking-number-of-peanuts-you-eat-every-year.htm
2. Kotzekidou P. Food hygiene and toxicology in ready-to-eat foods: 1st. ed. Oxford, UK: Academic Press; 2016.
3. Armstrong WP. The peanut: A subterranean legume [Documented on the internet]: Palomar; 2009 [cited 2018 July 20]. Available from: https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/ecoph8b.htm
4. Peanut facts: nutritional breakdown [Documented on the internet]: the peanut institute; 2018 [cited 2018 July 19]. Available from: https://www.peanut-institute.org/peanut-facts/nutritional-breakdown.asp
5. Moreno J, Johnston C, El-mubasher Aet al. Peanut consumption in adolescents is associated with improved weight status: Nutrition research journal: 2013; 33(7): 552-6.
6. Suchoszek-qukaniuk K, Jaromin A, Korycinska Met al. Health benefits of peanut (Arachis hypogaea l.) seeds and peanut oil consumption: Nuts & seeds in health and disease prevention: 2011; 873-880.
7. Arnarson A. Peanuts 101: Nutritional facts and health benefits [Documented on the internet]: Healthline; 2015 [cited 2018 July 20]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/peanuts#section9
8. Davis P, Jenab M, Heuvel J et al. Tree Nut and peanut consumption in relation to chronic and metabolic diseases including allergy: The Journal of Nutrition: 2008; 138(9): 1757-1762.
9. Study finds peanut consumption in infancy prevents peanut allergy [Documented on the internet]: National Institute of the Allergy and infectious diseases; 2015 [cited 2018 July 20]. Available from: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/study-finds-peanut-consumption-infancy-prevents-peanut-allergy
10. Scientists develop a new test to safely and accurately diagnosis peanut allergies [Documented on the internet]: Medical research council; 2015 [cited 2018 July 20]. Available from: https://mrc.ukri.org/
11. Westbrook I. New peanut allergy blood test developed [Documented on the internet]: BBC news; 2018 [cited 2018 July 21]. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-43962236
12. Johnson J. Pest control in postharvest nuts: Improving the Safety and Quality of Nuts: 2013; 56-87.
13. Nutrient comparison chart for tree nuts: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service [Documented on the internet]; 2010 [cited 2018 July 21]. Available from: https://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl
14. Alasalvar C, Shahidi F. Natural antioxidants in tree nuts: European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology: 2009; 111(11): 1056-1062.
15. Ros E. Health benefits of nut consumption: Nutrients: 2010; 2(7): 652-82.
16. Pongdee T. Everything you need to know about tree nuts allergy [Documented on the internet]; 2010 [cited 2018 21 July]. Available from: https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/tree-nut-allergy
17. Sicherer H, Muñoz-Furlong A, Godbold H, Sampson A. US prevalence of self-reported peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergy: 11-year follow-up: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: 2010; 125(6):1322-6.
18. The nuts allergy [Documented on the internet]: American college of allergy, asthma & immunology; 2014 [cited 2018 July 21]. Available from: https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/tree-nut-allergy
19. Brunk D. True nuts allergy respond to immunotherapy [Documented on the internet]: family practice news; 2017 [cited 2018 July 21]. Available from: https://www.mdedge.com/familypracticenews/article/133058/pulmonology/tree-nut-allergy-responds-immunotherapy

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