and roots offer a cheap source of the potent anticancer resveratrol (Xiong et al.
2014).
Stilbene compounds in peanuts have excellent antitumor properties such as
inhibition of tumor cell growth, tumor progression, and metastasis. They are also
potent antioxidants that reduce free radical formation which can be a cause of tumor
formation. Stilbenes also have anti-mutagenic properties as they cause the production of quinine reductase enzyme that has the ability to reduce inflammation and
detoxifying carcinogenic compounds. They are capable of partially inhibiting cyclooxygenase that in turn reduces prostaglandin formation which is responsible for
tumor growth and activation of carcinogens (Cassidy et al. 2000). Nuclear factor
kappa B (NFκB) is a transcription factor that has a known role in tumor development
and progression. In several types of cancers, an altered activity of NFκB leads to
DNA damage and altered cell cycles. Stilbenoids present in peanuts have a negative
effect on NFκB-directed transcription in cell lines. Inhibition on NFκB activity
usually results in cell apoptosis. However, the anticancer activity of stilbenes is
not tumor specific; therefore, they are suggested as chemopreventive agent’s due to
their antioxidant ability (Sobolev et al. 2011).
4.1.6.7 Reducing the Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
High levels of niacin (13.52 Â 10
À3 g) and vitamin E (69.3 Â 10
À4 g) in peanuts,
which both are effective against the development of Alzheimer’s disease and slow
down cognitive decline due to aging (Fata et al. 2014; Morris et al. 2004).Research
suggests that niacin- and vitamin E-rich foods are have a protective role and are
effective against cognitive decline (Morris et al. 2004). Resveratrol found in peanuts
also exhibits protective properties against Alzheimer’s disease by preventing nerve
degeneration (Chen et al. 2005). Peanut intake can therefore slow down age-related
neuronal degeneration by reducing oxidative stress in the neurons (Butterfield et al.
2002).
4.1.7 Adverse Effects and Individual Concerns
4.1.7.1 Allergies
Consumption of peanuts can lead to severe allergic reactions and, if left unattended,
can even cause anaphylactic shock and ultimately death. The exact reason for such a
strong immune response is unknown, but the allergy is mostly from the two types of
proteins: albumins (water soluble) and globulins (saline soluble) present in the
kernels (cotyledons) of the peanut (Barnett et al. 1983). Consumption of peanuts
in allergic persons initiates an immune response mainly driven by immunoglobulin
E (IgE) on mast cells that detects peanut allergens and releases massive quantities of
histamine as a response. This in turn triggers constriction of the lung bronchioles
108
F. Syed et al.
2014).
Stilbene compounds in peanuts have excellent antitumor properties such as
inhibition of tumor cell growth, tumor progression, and metastasis. They are also
potent antioxidants that reduce free radical formation which can be a cause of tumor
formation. Stilbenes also have anti-mutagenic properties as they cause the production of quinine reductase enzyme that has the ability to reduce inflammation and
detoxifying carcinogenic compounds. They are capable of partially inhibiting cyclooxygenase that in turn reduces prostaglandin formation which is responsible for
tumor growth and activation of carcinogens (Cassidy et al. 2000). Nuclear factor
kappa B (NFκB) is a transcription factor that has a known role in tumor development
and progression. In several types of cancers, an altered activity of NFκB leads to
DNA damage and altered cell cycles. Stilbenoids present in peanuts have a negative
effect on NFκB-directed transcription in cell lines. Inhibition on NFκB activity
usually results in cell apoptosis. However, the anticancer activity of stilbenes is
not tumor specific; therefore, they are suggested as chemopreventive agent’s due to
their antioxidant ability (Sobolev et al. 2011).
4.1.6.7 Reducing the Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
High levels of niacin (13.52 Â 10
À3 g) and vitamin E (69.3 Â 10
À4 g) in peanuts,
which both are effective against the development of Alzheimer’s disease and slow
down cognitive decline due to aging (Fata et al. 2014; Morris et al. 2004).Research
suggests that niacin- and vitamin E-rich foods are have a protective role and are
effective against cognitive decline (Morris et al. 2004). Resveratrol found in peanuts
also exhibits protective properties against Alzheimer’s disease by preventing nerve
degeneration (Chen et al. 2005). Peanut intake can therefore slow down age-related
neuronal degeneration by reducing oxidative stress in the neurons (Butterfield et al.
2002).
4.1.7 Adverse Effects and Individual Concerns
4.1.7.1 Allergies
Consumption of peanuts can lead to severe allergic reactions and, if left unattended,
can even cause anaphylactic shock and ultimately death. The exact reason for such a
strong immune response is unknown, but the allergy is mostly from the two types of
proteins: albumins (water soluble) and globulins (saline soluble) present in the
kernels (cotyledons) of the peanut (Barnett et al. 1983). Consumption of peanuts
in allergic persons initiates an immune response mainly driven by immunoglobulin
E (IgE) on mast cells that detects peanut allergens and releases massive quantities of
histamine as a response. This in turn triggers constriction of the lung bronchioles
108
F. Syed et al.