Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are an important food crop because of their high nutritional value. The peanut is perhaps most commonly consumed in its salted or roasted form with the shells removed. In these forms it is easy to over consume peanuts, and this can increase sodium consumption significantly. Peanuts can also be made into peanut butter, and this again is easy to over consume. Peanuts are actually legumes, and consuming them has been shown to provide some of the nutritional benefits of legumes and their pulses, including weight loss and appetite control. Overconsuming peanuts may be detrimental as they are high in energy and therefore it becomes possible to consume excess energy in the diet if moderation is not maintained. However, that is not to say that all the energy in peanuts is absorbed, as evidence suggests that a significant portion never enters circulation. As with all plant foods, peanuts also contain antioxidants, which may explain some of their beneficial effects.
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