Is it perfectly OK to consume Peanut Shells?

Peanuts, which are excellent sources of vitamins, protein, and fiber, are among the most popular snack foods in the United States. It’s not so much about peanut shells. It’s possible that the thought of eating peanut shells has never crossed your mind; nonetheless, there are some individuals who like this peculiar food. There is a possibility that the crunchiness or the saltiness is what attracts those who are seeking for an alternative to pretzels and chips.
However, before including peanut shells into your normal diet, you should give some thought to the potential dangers they pose to your health.

In spite of the fact that peanut shells may be consumed, there is a possibility that they contain pesticides and might result in stomach problems.

Dietary Value of Peanut Shells

For example, Virginia-Carolinas Peanuts Promotions states that “many people report that they enjoy peanuts, including the shell, and food scientists indicate that it’s okay.” However, what precisely is included inside them? Following is a list of the peanut shell content:

• Sixty percent of natural fiber
• Cellulose makes about 25 percent
• 8 percent water content
• 6 percent crude protein
• 2 percent ash
• 1 percent fat

The composition varies depending on the types of peanuts and the conditions under which they are manufactured. The peanut shells, with the exception of the dietary fiber they contain, have almost little nutritional value.

Concerns Regarding Intestinal Blockage

Eating peanut shells may be a source of fiber, but they also have the potential to disrupt the regular functioning of the digestive system. There is a possibility that peanut shells may amass in the digestive system. The accumulation of foreign matter often results in discomfort in the stomach and contributes to the formation of a mass that is unable to move through the intestines.

On the other hand, it may also refer to a collection of any item that has been ingested and becomes lodged in the belly. In severe circumstances, the removal of a bezoar may need surgical intervention, as stated by the Mayo Clinic.

Watch Out for the Contamination of Pesticides

There is a hidden risk associated with eating peanut shells, and that risk is the usage of pesticides throughout development. Those that grow peanuts anticipate that buyers will throw away the shells. Farmers that grow peanuts use crop rotation as one technique of disease management in their operations.

Fungal diseases, on the other hand, are capable of causing an immense amount of harm to crops and often need the use of chemical pesticides. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are two types of fungus that are known to cause cancer in humans. According to Feedipedia, peanuts are especially susceptible to these two types of fungi. Staying away from peanut shells is the simplest approach to protect yourself from exposure to chemical pollutants.

Considerations Regarding Eating Disorders

When peanut shells are consumed, it may show issues that go beyond ordinary demands for snacks. Pica is a kind of eating problem that may be identified by the frequent ingestion of things that are not nutritionally beneficial. Although pica is more prevalent in youngsters, those who are deficient in certain nutrients, and people who have developmental difficulties, it may also afflict adults who are healthy.

In other cases, individuals are compelled to consume strange materials because they have a need for particular flavors and sensations. You should seek the advice of a medical expert if you consume peanut shells on a daily basis and believe that your habit has developed into an obsession. Inquire about the availability of testing and treatments for dietary deficiencies, as well as approaches for behavior adjustment.

Advantages of Peanuts on One’s Health

However, you should not let the problems associated with ingesting peanut shells prevent you from eating peanuts. Not only are they loaded with protein, but they also come with a number of incredible health advantages. Specifically, a research that was conducted in 2015 and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that those who ingested 10 or more grams of nuts on a daily basis, including peanuts, had a decreased incidence of the following:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Respiratory conditions