Vì sao không nên dùng lạc (đậu phộng) làm mồi uống rượu, bia?

The combination of the high fat content in peanuts and alcohol puts double pressure on the liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease and hindering the detoxification process.

Roasted and boiled peanuts are popular snacks at drinking parties. However, according to nutrition experts, this food combination can silently harm the body.

Here are some reasons why you should reconsider using peanuts as a snack:

Overloading the liver

Peanuts contain a very high amount of fat, about 44-48% in each peanut. Although it's plant-based fat, consuming large amounts still puts pressure on the lipid metabolism process.

Even more dangerous is when combined with beer or alcohol. Alcohol is a toxin that the body prioritizes eliminating. When peanuts and beer are consumed simultaneously, the liver is forced to focus on detoxifying the alcohol and temporarily halt fat metabolism. The fat from peanuts that is not processed will accumulate, leading to fatty liver disease and metabolic disorders in the long run. This is especially dangerous for middle-aged people or those with impaired liver function.

Studies in the U.S. National Library of Medicine/PMC indicate that alcohol inhibits the oxidation of fatty acids, leading to the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, causing fatty liver disease and metabolic disorders.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also warns that people with fatty liver disease or at risk need to control their calorie and fat intake to avoid overloading their liver while it is processing alcohol.

Peanuts are nutritious, but should be eaten in moderation to ensure good health. Photo: Aboluowang

Risks from Aflatoxin mold

Peanuts used as snacks at restaurants are sometimes not properly stored. Many people, out of tiếc of wasting food, roast peanuts until they are slightly moldy, thinking that high temperatures will kill the bacteria.

In fact, mold on peanuts produces aflatoxin – a mycotoxin classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). Aflatoxin is very heat-stable; conventional roasting or boiling cannot destroy this toxin. Research published in the European Journal of Cancer confirms that exposure to aflatoxin combined with alcohol consumption dramatically increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Documents from NCBI confirm that in people who drink alcohol, the liver's ability to fight off toxins is reduced, making it easier for aflatoxin to attack the DNA of liver cells.

The burden from seasonings

Fried, roasted, or seasoned peanuts often contain large amounts of salt (sodium) and oil. A diet too salty causes water retention, increasing the burden on the kidneys. In addition, frying peanuts at high temperatures easily produces denatured fatty acids, causing oxidative stress to liver cells.

How to Eat Peanuts Safely

Peanuts are still a nutritious food if consumed correctly. To protect your health, you should follow these principles:

Prioritize boiled peanuts: This cooking method preserves nutrients, doesn't add oil or fat, and creates a feeling of fullness quickly, helping to limit intake.

Check carefully: Only eat fresh, plump peanuts. Absolutely discard any peanuts that have changed color, have a strange smell, taste bitter, or have black spots on the shell to avoid Aflatoxin poisoning.

Eat in moderation: Only eat a small handful each day, avoid eating them instead of rice, or eating too many while drinking alcohol.