No, it’s not safe to eat peanut shells.

Peanuts are high-energy nuts that have a plethora of health benefits. It contains a lot of essential nutrients like protein, iron, fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Peanut fats are extremely beneficial to our heart health and help to lower bad cholesterol levels in the body.

Peanut shells, on the other hand, are not nutritious or healthy snacks.

 

KEY SUMMARY TAKEAWAYS

✅ Consuming or craving peanut shells has been linked to a number of diseases such as pica, colitis, and bezoars.

✅ They are serious disorders and if left untreated, can harm your well-being and health.

✅ Consuming abrasive and hard shells will cause you long-term dire consequences.

✅ Don’t worry if you ate some peanut shells by accident; it won’t kill you and you’ll be fine.

✅ If you find yourself eating a lot of peanut shells, you should seek medical attention immediately. Inquire about tests and treatments for it before it leads to more serious problems.

✅ You can also use peanut shells around the house to make garden mulch, compost, charcoal for a grill, and cat litter.

 

 

Obstruction of the Intestines

Peanut shells contain a lot of fiber. Excessive fiber consumption can be a major source of digestive issues.

Peanut shells resemble cardboard or sawdust in texture and consistency, and they are nearly impossible to digest and break down in the stomach.

Undigested material tends to build up in the intestines, forming a mass that causes blockages.

The blockage can cause stomach discomfort because it prevents stools from passing through your system. A bezoar is a solid mass that acts as a stumbling block.

Bezoar is most commonly associated with ingesting hair or carpet fibers, but it can occur in other ways as well.

Phytobezoars are composed of undigested food fibers like cellulose. It forms a mass in the stomach and, on rare occasions, the small intestine.

Pumpkins, raisins, beets, prunes, sunflower seeds, and peanut shells are all high in cellulose.

Small bezoars containing medications can make their way through the digestive tract and out of the body. In severe cases, a bezoar must be surgically removed.

 

Colitis

Colitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the lining of the colon.

A colon infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or a loss of blood supply to the colon can all cause inflammation.

According to a 1985 study, a 40-year-old man developed non-specific colitis after eating peanut shells. Mechanical abrasion from the rough exterior of the peanut shell can harm the colon’s delicate lining.

 

Pesticides

Peanuts, like potatoes and carrots, are underground planted.

Peanuts, like all crops grown below ground, are susceptible to fungi infection if not pesticide-treated. This is why peanuts are grown with a high concentration of pesticides.

Farmers who grow peanuts do not anticipate their customers eating the shells. As a result, it is not subjected to pesticide removal processes.

As a result, when people consume them, they also consume the harmful pesticides that are on them, which can harm their bodies significantly. So, the next time you buy a bag of peanuts at the store, skip the shells.

 

Pica is a type of eating disorder.

Pica is a psychological disorder characterized by an insatiable desire for nonnutritive substances such as peanut shells.

This disorder has been linked to malnutrition, schizophrenia, pregnancy, anemia, and developmental conditions such as autism.

If eating peanut shells has become an obsessive compulsion or a craving, it may indicate a more serious problem.

 

FAQs

Is it possible to eat the shells of peanuts?

Although they are technically edible and will not poison you, they should not be consumed. It may be tainted with pesticides or cause serious digestive issues.

Is it safe to consume fried or boiled peanut shells?

Eating peanut shells is associated with a number of health risks. They are extremely difficult to digest even when boiled or fried and can cause colitis and intestinal blockages.

You should not eat it as a snack. You can snack on peanuts instead of shells.

Is there a benefit to eating the shells?

When you eat peanut shells, the risks outweigh the benefits. The promise of obtaining some dietary fiber is the only apparent benefit of eating the shells.

However, you can get enough fiber in your diet by eating a variety of soft and nutritious vegetables and fruits. Apples, oranges, persimmons, and guavas, as well as beets, potatoes, and carrots, are high in fiber.

In conclusion

To improve your lifestyle, it is preferable to stop eating the shells and instead seek treatment and behavior modification techniques from a qualified healthcare professional.