Kidney beans, chickpeas and the like are hard on digestion, full of lectins and other toxins, and unappetizing (and in many cases, indigestible) when raw.
But what about raw peanuts? Since these wannabe nuts are really legumes, should we avoid them?
Wait…Peanuts Aren’t Nuts?!
Nope, they aren’t.
While culinarily peanuts are used like a true nut because of their high fat content, they are botanically beans. It’s just like tomatoes and cucumber, which are culinarily used like vegetables because of their lower sugar content, but are botanically fruits.
So since legumes should be avoided, shouldn’t we say no to peanuts as well?
Not so fast.
Peanuts are Nutty
As I said above, peanuts are culinarily used like nuts because of their higher fat content (above 70%).
But more fat isn’t the only reason peanuts are more nutty and less legume-like. Peanuts also contain the lowest amount of oligosaccharides, the flatulence-causing complex sugar present in legumes.
And while beans and the like are known for being high in lectins, peanuts are not. Their lectin content is similar to that of true nuts and seeds, which is minimal.
Finally, peanuts can be eaten raw without any soaking. They are delicious and digest fine either on their own or along with vegetable matter.
But there IS one little problem with eating raw peanuts…
Peanuts and Aflatoxin
Peanuts, along with corn and other grains, are susceptible to Aspergillus flavus, a mold that produces aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen that has been linked to liver cancer in both rats and humans.
While testing for aflatoxin is required for all peanuts sold in the United States, this does not mean peanuts and peanut products are entirely free of this mycotoxin. As long as the amount of aflatoxin is under 20 parts per billion, the peanuts pass inspection.
In fact, Consumers Union tested for aflatoxin in peanut butter and found that all commercially sold brands have some aflatoxin, with the least coming from corporate brands (e.g. Skippy and Peter Pan) and the most coming from freshly ground offered in health food stores (likely because of the improper storing that allowed the mold to grow).
So no raw peanuts, then?
Hold your horses!
Aflatoxin-Free Peanuts
There are two types of peanuts that are free of aflatoxin: Jungle peanuts and Valencia peanuts. Jungle peanuts are completely free of the stuff, while Valencia peanuts are grown in arid climates resistant to mold.
I’ve tried Jungle and Valencia peanuts and they are both seriously delicious. Next to pistachios, peanuts are my favorite (non) nut!
So eat your aflatoxin-free peanuts and enjoy. But remember, peanuts are high in fat and fat intake should be limited for optimal health.
By : Swayze
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