According to the American Heart Association, the best way to help lower your blood cholesterol level is to eat less saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol, control your weight, and participate in physical activity for at least 30 minutes each day.

Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, including peanuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.  (FDA/CFSAN Summary of Qualified Health Claims Permitted, www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qhc-sum.html#nuts)

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry by Sanders TH and McMichael RW entitled,  “Occurrence of Resveratrol in Edible Peanuts,”¹  found that peanuts  contain resveratrol, a naturally occurring phytochemical also found in red wine, which has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and reduced cancer risk. (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2000; 48:1243-1246.) ¹Sanders, T.H., McMichael, R.W. and Hendrix, K.W. Occurrence of Resveratrol in Edible Peanuts. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2000;48:1243-46.