They are a staple of the Mexican snack food diet and although they are very useful in the kitchen and can add real style and finesse to any meal, most are eaten on the hoof, by shaking a bag of these crunchy nuts with a liberal sprinkling of chili powder and a large dash of fresh lime juice. Interestingly this type of nut is more closely related to leguminous vegetables and pulses such as peas, beans or lentils. This means that Japanese and other peanuts have the similar health benefits to these foods. Mafer offers a large selection of snacks and nuts and you can buy Mafer Japanese Style Peanuts online at
Why eat Japanese peanuts?
Japanese peanuts and other styles of peanut are not for everyone; some people have a nut allergy or just don’t like them, all fair enough so assuming you don’t fall into this category read on, they are rich in:
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Vitamin E: Amongst other functions it helps maintain the structure of ever cell membrane in your body
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Niacin (vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid): A substance which helps cells reproduce and has been associated with improved memory and mental cognizance
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Manganese: An essential trace element which has many functions including a role in maintaining healthy connective tissue and helps the body regulate blood sugar levels and metabolize some vitamins more efficiently
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Oleic acid: One of the “good” mono-unsaturated fats which lowers levels of cholesterol in the blood stream but overall results in more of the “good” cholesterol your body needs. It also enhances anti-oxidant activity.
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Tryptophan: One of the 20 amino acids that we must consume for a healthy metabolism. This particular amino acid is essential for the manufacture of serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter which plays a major role in regulating, mood, cognitive function, sleep and vasoconstriction of blood vessels
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Anti-oxidants: Any substance which helps protect living cells from damage by highly energetic and unstable particles called free radicals. They also boost the effectiveness of the immune system. Japanese peanuts and other styles of peanut are roasted. This increases their anti-oxidant content by up to 25%.
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Folate / folic acid (Vitamin B9): Particularly important during pregnancy as it reduces the incidence of neurological defects such as spina bifida. It also helps the body in conjunction with vitamin B12 manufacture new red blood cells.
So there you have it, a tasty wholesome snack that is actually really good for you as well, enjoy!
