Peanuts are a common food that people all over the world enjoy eating daily.
They can be consumed in both unhealthy and healthy ways and can be a perfect snack to tide you over between meals. Peanuts are also an integral part of many types of cuisine.
Contrary to what you may think, peanuts are not nuts and are legumes that grow and thrive underground. However, they do have the same sort of nutritional value as nuts that typically grow on trees.
As great as peanuts are, there is a saying out there that reveals they are a big cause of bloating.
This is especially true for those who don’t typically eat peanuts and enjoy indulging now and then or individuals with sensitive stomachs.
If you want to learn more about the impact that peanuts can have on your body or, more specifically, whether they truly do cause bloating, you’ve come to the right place!
This article will tell you everything you need to know about peanuts.
All About Peanuts
These well-known legumes originated in South America and are known by many names such as earth nuts, groundnuts, and peanuts. They are part of the Fabaceae family alongside lentils and peas.
One of the most surprising things about peanuts is that they have a very strong and healthy nutritional profile.
Peanuts have very high amounts of fiber, healthy carbs, and protein, in addition to minerals like copper and iron.
Feeling Bloated
The disorientating feeling of being bloated can occur for many reasons, ranging from a simple case of overeating to a serious digestive problem.
As harmless as bloating may seem, there might often be a more serious reason for it if it occurs after you eat peanuts.
You may experience peanut-related bloating if you suffer from conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, for example. Here, eating peanuts will enhance the issues that you are facing.
If you’re consistently experiencing bloating when you eat peanuts in any form, but digestive issues have all been ruled out by a trained medical professional, then you may have an intolerance or an allergy to them.
Intolerance Vs. Allergies
There’s no doubt about it: peanut allergies are one of the most common food-related allergies in the world.
Around 1 in every 200 adults has a peanut allergy, whereas 1 in 50 children suffer from the same thing. Common signs of a peanut allergy include the following:
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Tightening of the throat
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Itching in the throat and mouth
- Runny nose
- Skin reactions including swelling, redness, or hives
If you’re allergic to peanuts, you need to completely remove them from your diet in every possible way. By doing this, you are avoiding a potentially very serious allergic reaction.
People are also intolerant to peanuts. This generally means that some individuals find it much harder to fully digest peanuts than others.
Depending on the overall severity of your intolerance, you might be able to enjoy peanuts without issue, or you may experience bloating and other stomach issues.
Do Peanuts Cause Bloating?
The short answer: yes, they do!
Peanuts contain high fiber and fat content which means it can take a considerably long time for them to be digested properly.
They take a while to move through the digestive system which means that the risk of bloating or gas is significantly higher.
Peanuts are generally very high in fat. The amount of fat that is present in different types of peanuts can vary from one type to another.
For example, some have more fat than others which may increase the likelihood of bloating symptoms.
How To Address The Issue
Bloating that consistently occurs after eating peanuts in any form requires the intervention of a trained medical professional.
They can work with you to determine the cause and then provide a treatment plan for you to follow.
This is especially relevant when it comes to peanut allergies or intolerances which require you to stay as far away from any trace of peanuts as possible.
Digestive disorders, on the other hand, will require diet modifications in addition to medication.
Which Types Of Peanuts Are The Healthiest?
Raw peanuts are considered to be the healthiest variety. Peanut butter is a great second choice, offering a range of health benefits and a very healthy nutritional profile.
You can also purchase salted, roasted peanuts from a store. These should be eaten in moderation as consuming too much sodium could result in spikes in heart disease or high blood pressure.
If you have the choice, make sure to select raw peanuts that have skin attached to them. These skins contain important antioxidants that protect your body’s cells against free radicals.
How Many Do You Need To Eat?
You may be wondering how many peanuts you have to eat to cause any level of bloating. The straightforward answer is that it differs from person to person!
One individual may become bloated after eating one peanut, or one spoonful of peanut butter, whereas others may not see any noticeable bloating until they have consumed over 15 peanuts.
A general rule of thumb would be to consider the following: the more peanuts you eat, the more likely you are to experience bloating.
This is because your body is not used to having to break down this sheer number of peanuts.
You also need to consider how often you are eating the nuts. As peanuts are high in fat, they can also have more of an adverse effect on you if you do not often eat them and choose to indulge on very rare occasions.
Our advice would be to eat a handful of peanuts regularly (if you enjoy eating them, that is!)
Summary
In short, peanuts are known to cause bloating.
This mainly occurs when an individual consumes far too many peanuts in a single sitting because they take a considerable amount of time to pass through the digestive system.
It is also a common side effect of peanut intolerance and a minor sign of a peanut allergy.
One of the most common things I talk to my clients about is calories, but so few of them actually know anything about them.
Calories is not a dirty word. If you remove emotion from it, it is simply a unit of energy.
We need calories to live and thrive, and knowing how many to consume is important to ensure that you’re living a healthy lifestyle.
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