no evidence that peanuts reduce sex drive and satisfaction in women
Presently, there is no evidence that peanuts reduce sex drive and satisfaction in women. Also called groundnuts or earthnuts, peanuts are common in many households. Foods that are high in fat are associated with low libido. And some women fear its effects on their desire and sexual performance.
Let’s have a closer look at this legume.
Yes, peanuts are high in fat (44-56%), which consists of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is the reason they are oilseeds. And the more substantial part of harvested peanuts goes into making peanut oil.
Protein is another significant component in peanuts. It contains about 22-30% protein content making it an excellent plant-based source. On the other hand, they contain little carbs. The high protein, fiber, and fat content, and the low carbs mean that they have a low glycemic index (GI). GI indicates how fast carbs pass into your blood after eating. It is the reason peanuts are good for diabetic people.
Peanuts are rich in minerals and vitamins such as biotin, folate, vitamins, magnesium, etc. Other antioxidant compounds like coumaric acid and antinutrients such as phytic acid are also present.
So, when it comes to libido, what does all this mean? First, peanuts are rich in fats and calories, but the funny thing is that they don’t contribute to weight gain. Studies show they can contribute to weight loss or maintenance since make you feel fuller than many foods. Excessive weight gain is among the causes of low libido in women.
Its heart-healthy components can also benefit your libido. Diabetes causes low sex drive in some women, and as seen, peanuts are friendly to diabetic people. Add the benefits of folates to people’s libido, and we can safely say that peanuts do not lower women’s sexual desires. But there is also no decisive, direct evidence that it boosts libido, but being healthy does help.
Remember, proteins in peanuts mostly contain arachin and conarachin. These two can cause life-threatening allergic responses in some people. It is advisable to find out if you are allergic to peanuts.