SOUTH GEORGIA (WALB) - Eating a handful of nuts grown right here in South Georgia could help you on your health journey.

New research done through the Georgia Peanut Commission now shows that peanuts - which are packed with nutrients - can help with weight loss.

“A study at Harvard University shows over a 24-year period, people who include peanuts in their diet regularly, had a lower risk of long-term obesity, so it helps you keep your weight management over a long period of time so that’s really good news for folks who want to include peanuts,” said Nutrition Scientist and Health Communicator, Dr. Samara Sterling.

This research comes as the Trump Administration announced on Wednesday during a budget meeting that they’re cutting $2 billion dollars in Agricultural Research. This cut eliminates congressional directives to the Agricultural Research Service, jeopardizing $2 billion in research on agricultural products, such as pecans, peanuts and cotton, that are crucial to Georgia’s economy.

Congressman Sanford Bishop said by terminating this program and not having it funded in the continuing resolution, it will create a negative impact on Georgia’s cotton, pecan and peanut industries.

“The AG Research services help us to make sure that we can produce the highest quality, safest and most abundant and affordable food in the world, and without the cutting-edge research, we lose that edge,” said Congressman Sanford Bishop, District director for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District.

But despite federal cuts to AG Research, The Peanut Commission said they’re still funding cutting-edge research that is now showing that eating just 30 peanuts a day can help with long term weight management. According to Dr. Sterling, recent research shows peanut consumption can also benefit your brain.

“Being able to think better, think clearly, remember things that you didn’t recognize that you would remember and so this is also really good news that you’re getting again in just that handful a day.” Dr. Sterling said.

On Thursday, the Georgia Peanut Commission approved a budget to help continue to fund research, despite cuts from the federal government. Some of the new research is in better yields with less inputs, disease resistance and finding usage for peanuts in other agricultural industries.

“One of those that turned out to be really exciting is using peanuts in poultry feed both for egg production and broiler production. So, we’re doing a little bit more in that direction just to give us an opportunity to help make better poultry and give our farmers an additional marketing opportunity.” said Farmer and Chairman of The Research Committee for The Georgia Peanut Commission, Donald Chase.

Researchers said that adding some flavored peanuts - which can be purchased from The Georgia Peanut Commission, can actually help with your sweet treat cravings. Adding just two scoops of peanut butter to your morning is great for those that have problems regulating their blood sugar.

The Georgia Peanut Commission said that because of the community and farmers they are able to fund research that will give us all benefits and assure that cutting edge information about peanut benefits will continue to be cultivated in our state.

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