Oil-Roasted Salted Peanuts Gain Heart Check Mark Status

WASHINGTONThe American Heart Association (AHA) recently approved oil roasted salted peanuts as a heart healthy food by allowing its Heart-Check Food Certification Programs Heart-Check mark to be featured on salted peanut  packaging. The approval comes just in time to celebrate  National Nutrition Month and Nation Peanut Month in March.

According to The Peanut Institute, while there has been some thought that oil roasted salted peanuts are a high sodium snackthey're actually not. Nutrition Facts panels show a 1-ounce serving of various types contain 119 mg of sodium, well below the AHA certification criteria limit of 140 mg of sodium per label serving of nuts. In fact, peanuts are naturally low in sodium, and the sodium in salted peanuts is mostly from surface salt so a little goes a long way in terms of flavor.

Roasted peanuts are most often cooked in peanut oil, which contains the same heat-healthy monounsaturated fats found in olive oil; roasting peanuts in this oil does not increase their overall fat content, but instead makes them nutritious and good tasting.

Peanuts are high in many nutrients important for overall health. They are an excellent source of niacin, vitamin E and cholesterol-free protein with 8 grams per ounce serving. Peanuts are also a good source of folic acid, potassium and magnesium, which helps to maintain normal blood pressure.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for 1 in every 4 deaths. AHA research shows nuts may reduce the risk of heart disease in those with high cholesterol. Additional studies have shown that eating peanuts may reduce the risk of heart disease in half, and peanuts help control obesity in kids.