Are Peanuts Good for Anemia? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Peanuts are good for anemia. Because they have iron, protein, and fiber, and they can increase your hemoglobin level, support your immune system, and regulate your bowel movements.

Anemia is a condition that affects your blood.

In anemia, your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your organs and tissues.

This can lead to various health problems, such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, dizziness, shortness of breath, and increased risk of infections.

One of the key factors in managing anemia is diet.

What you consume can affect your hemoglobin level, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and can impact your anemia symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage anemia, you should consume iron-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, and leafy green vegetables, and vitamin B12 and folate-rich foods like eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals.

You should avoid foods that interfere with iron absorption, like tea, coffee, and calcium-rich foods, or consume them at least two hours before or after your iron-rich meals.

Now, peanuts are legumes that grow underground in pods.

They are also known as groundnuts, earthnuts, or goobers.

People usually eat them roasted, boiled, or as peanut butter.

Peanuts are good for anemia because they contain iron, protein, and fiber.

Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells.

Protein is important for the growth and repair of body tissues.

Fiber can help prevent constipation, which may occur as a side effect of iron supplements.

One ounce (28 grams) of raw peanuts can give you 1.3 milligrams of iron (7% of your daily needs), 7.3 grams of protein (15% of your daily needs), and 2.4 grams of fiber (10% of your daily needs).

Iron can help increase your hemoglobin level and improve your oxygen delivery.

Protein can help support your immune system and prevent muscle loss.

Fiber can help regulate your bowel movements and lower your cholesterol.

Furthermore, peanuts are a plant-based food and plant-based foods are good for anemia.

Because, they can provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can protect your cells from damage and inflammation.

You can eat one to two ounces of peanuts per day safely.

More than that can cause weight gain, bloating, gas, or allergic reactions.

Also, you shouldn’t eat peanuts if you have a peanut allergy, a history of kidney stones, or a condition that affects your blood clotting, such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia, to prevent severe reactions.

Because, peanuts can trigger an immune response, increase the oxalate levels in your urine, or interfere with your blood thinning medications.

You can buy fresh peanuts in your local market or can order them online.

Always choose organic, unsalted, and unflavored peanuts.

Because, they are free of pesticides, sodium, and additives that can harm your health.

You can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing anemia effectively.

I always recommend my anemia patients to follow an anemia-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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