Peanuts

Overview

Peanuts provide niacin (B3) for NAD+ synthesis, resveratrol (polyphenol), and plant protein supporting mitochondrial function and antioxidant networks. Niacin (Vitamin B₃): Directly converted to NAD+ via salvage pathway; food sources include chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, mushrooms, peanuts, whole grains.

Within the BRAIN Diet framework, niacin-rich foods (e.g., salmon, chicken breast, turkey, peanuts, and mushrooms) support NAD+ availability, glutathione synthesis, and mitochondrial health [1].

Key Nutritional Highlights

• Reports on niacin Cures Systemic NAD+ Deficiency and Improves Muscle Performance in Adult-Onset Mitochondrial Myopathy [1]
• Peanuts provide niacin (B3) for NAD+ synthesis, resveratrol (polyphenol), and plant protein supporting mitochondrial function and antioxidant networks. [1]
• Niacin (Vitamin B₃): Directly converted to NAD+ via salvage pathway; food sources include chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, mushrooms, peanuts, whole grains.
• Niacin-rich foods (e.g., salmon, chicken breast, turkey, peanuts, and mushrooms) support NAD+ availability, glutathione synthesis, and mitochondrial health.

Food Context

Synergies

• Part of diverse plant protein strategy; dietary diversity (≥30 plant foods per week) supports microbial richness and resilience
• Pair with grains for complete amino acid profile; grain-legume complementarity improves essential amino-acid coverage

Preparation

• Choose dry-roasted or raw over oil-roasted to preserve nutrients and avoid excess omega-6
• Soak to reduce phytates and improve mineral bioavailability

Essential Amino Acid Profile

Peanuts provide a strong plant protein source but are not a complete protein.

Notable amino acids:

• Lysine

Limiting amino acids:

• Methionine and cysteine (DIAAS ~65–70)

Protein pairing strategy:

Peanuts are rich in lysine but relatively low in sulfur-containing amino acids. Combining with grains such as rice, oats, or barley helps create a more balanced essential amino acid profile.

Recipes

no recipes found

Nutrient Tables (per 100 g)

Core nutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Energy	567 kcal	—
Protein	25.8 g	—
Total fat	49.2 g	—
Saturated fat	6.3 g	—
Carbohydrates	16.1 g	—
Sugars	4.7 g	—
Fibre	8.5 g	—

Key vitamins and minerals

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Zinc	3.3 mg	29.7%
Magnesium	168 mg	40%
Phosphorus	376 mg	53.7%
Manganese	1.9 mg	84.1%
Copper	1.1 mg	127.1%
Folate	240 µg	60%
Vitamin B1	0.6 mg	53.3%
Vitamin B3	12.1 mg	75.4%
Vitamin E	8.3 mg	55.5%

Bioactive compounds

Explicitly identified compounds, including individual fatty acids, with a defensible quantity or an explicit qualitative status. Asterisks (*) identify supplementary sources below. Unquantified or trace constituents are not automatically admitted to the Substances list.

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
Linoleic Acid	15.6 g	—

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

Data provenance (core / micronutrient panel): USDA FoodData Central, Peanuts, all types, raw, FDC ID 172430, SR Legacy bulk (April 2018), per 100 g edible portion, last checked 2026-08-15

Substances

Substances admitted through a supported nutrition-table row. Not every table row appears here. Cards are not BRS mappings.

10 substances in this food

Cu²⁺

Copper

Cofactor in redox enzymes; dopamine β-hydroxylase; iron metabolism interplay

Linoleic Acid (LA, n-6)

Essential omega-6; precursor to arachidonic acid and eicosanoids

Mg²⁺

Magnesium

Enzymatic cofactor (>300 reactions); neurotransmitters; mitochondria; redox balance

Mn²⁺

Manganese

Cofactor for MnSOD (SOD2); mitochondrial antioxidant defense

PO₄³⁻

Phosphorus (Phosphate)

Structural phosphate in ATP, phosphocreatine, phospholipids, DNA/RNA, and signalling

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Mitochondrial glucose metabolism; ATP synthesis; rapid turnover in CNS

Vitamin B3 (Niacin; Niacinamide)

NAD+ precursor; supports mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP production

Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)

One-carbon metabolism; methylation; homocysteine recycling

Vitamin E (Tocopherols/Tocotrienols)

Lipid-phase antioxidant; protects PUFA (DHA) in membranes

Zn²⁺

Zinc

Cofactor in neurotransmission and antioxidant enzymes; dopamine modulation

References

[1] Niacin (Vitamin B₃): Directly converted to NAD+ via salvage pathway; food sources include chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, mushrooms, peanuts, whole grains. Pirinen & Auranen 2020. Niacin Cures Systemic NAD+ Deficiency and Improves Muscle Performance in Adult-Onset Mitochondrial Myopathy