prevent oxidative damage by chelating with ionized copper and iron which blocks
the production of highly reactive hydroxyl species (Yang et al. 2005). Thus the
antioxidants found in peanuts are effective against inflammation, oxidation damage,
and removal of heavy metals from the body.
4.1.6.5 Anti-inflammatory Effects
Studies on the effect of peanut consumption on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
diseases indicate a decrease in inflammatory molecules which in turn protect against
these diseases (Yu et al. 2016; Barbour et al. 2015; Souza et al. 2015; Mazidi et al.
2016). A large-scale survey consisting of 5013 patients was conducted which
correlated peanut consumption with the decrease in inflammatory biomarkers in
the bloodstream (Jiang et al. 2005). The results indicated an inverse association with
peanut consumption and inflammatory markers. Proinflammatory molecules such as
CRP (C-reactive protein), fibrinogen, and IL-6 (interleukin-6) decreased in the
bloodstream in individuals who had a regular peanut intake. Participants of the
study included individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Their diet
patterns were monitored and especially those who have a Mediterranean diet which
included a regular intake of peanuts. Participants that adhered to the Mediterranean
diet which included peanuts had significantly ( p < 0.003) lower levels of IL-6, CRP,
and ICAM (intracellular cell adhesion molecule-I) (Salas-Salvadó et al. 2008). Also,
peanuts contain dietary fibers, vitamin E, phenols, and L-arginine which are implicated in anti-inflammatory pathways (Andoh et al. 1999).
4.1.6.6 Anticancer and Antitumor Potential of Peanuts
Nutritional components of peanuts including vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids are
implicated in anticancer activity (González and Salas-Salvadó 2006), and phytosterols, abundant in peanuts, have known antioxidant properties and are studied as
anticancer agents (Huang et al. 2010). Phytosterols isolated from peanut had an
antitumor and antimetastatic effect on SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency)
mice injected with human prostate cancer cells (PC-3 cell line). The mice were given
a diet containing 2% phytosterols after inoculation with tumor cells, and tumor
growth was monitored for 8 weeks. There was a 43% decrease in the number of
tumors and 50% reduction in secondary metastasis as compared with control groups
(Woyengo et al. 2009). Peanuts are a rich source of resveratrol (1920 ng) (Sanders
et al. 2000), a compound that downregulates in vivo tumor angiogenesis and cell
division in colon cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer (Fazel
Nabavi et al. 2014; Chatterjee et al. 2011; Alfaras et al. 2010).
However, there are no studies published that include direct consumption of
peanuts as anticancers, the reason being that daily recommended intake of peanuts
(60–100 g) does not have the effective concentrations of resveratrol necessary for the
anticancer effect (Shankar et al. 2011; Salado et al. 2011). However, peanut sprouts
4 Groundnut (Peanut) (Arachis hypogaea)
107
the production of highly reactive hydroxyl species (Yang et al. 2005). Thus the
antioxidants found in peanuts are effective against inflammation, oxidation damage,
and removal of heavy metals from the body.
4.1.6.5 Anti-inflammatory Effects
Studies on the effect of peanut consumption on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
diseases indicate a decrease in inflammatory molecules which in turn protect against
these diseases (Yu et al. 2016; Barbour et al. 2015; Souza et al. 2015; Mazidi et al.
2016). A large-scale survey consisting of 5013 patients was conducted which
correlated peanut consumption with the decrease in inflammatory biomarkers in
the bloodstream (Jiang et al. 2005). The results indicated an inverse association with
peanut consumption and inflammatory markers. Proinflammatory molecules such as
CRP (C-reactive protein), fibrinogen, and IL-6 (interleukin-6) decreased in the
bloodstream in individuals who had a regular peanut intake. Participants of the
study included individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Their diet
patterns were monitored and especially those who have a Mediterranean diet which
included a regular intake of peanuts. Participants that adhered to the Mediterranean
diet which included peanuts had significantly ( p < 0.003) lower levels of IL-6, CRP,
and ICAM (intracellular cell adhesion molecule-I) (Salas-Salvadó et al. 2008). Also,
peanuts contain dietary fibers, vitamin E, phenols, and L-arginine which are implicated in anti-inflammatory pathways (Andoh et al. 1999).
4.1.6.6 Anticancer and Antitumor Potential of Peanuts
Nutritional components of peanuts including vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids are
implicated in anticancer activity (González and Salas-Salvadó 2006), and phytosterols, abundant in peanuts, have known antioxidant properties and are studied as
anticancer agents (Huang et al. 2010). Phytosterols isolated from peanut had an
antitumor and antimetastatic effect on SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency)
mice injected with human prostate cancer cells (PC-3 cell line). The mice were given
a diet containing 2% phytosterols after inoculation with tumor cells, and tumor
growth was monitored for 8 weeks. There was a 43% decrease in the number of
tumors and 50% reduction in secondary metastasis as compared with control groups
(Woyengo et al. 2009). Peanuts are a rich source of resveratrol (1920 ng) (Sanders
et al. 2000), a compound that downregulates in vivo tumor angiogenesis and cell
division in colon cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer (Fazel
Nabavi et al. 2014; Chatterjee et al. 2011; Alfaras et al. 2010).
However, there are no studies published that include direct consumption of
peanuts as anticancers, the reason being that daily recommended intake of peanuts
(60–100 g) does not have the effective concentrations of resveratrol necessary for the
anticancer effect (Shankar et al. 2011; Salado et al. 2011). However, peanut sprouts
4 Groundnut (Peanut) (Arachis hypogaea)
107