Now more than ever, we need to stay healthy and adding peanuts and other gourmet nuts to your daily diet can help. Peanuts are a very valuable source of protein, niacin, folate and phytosterols, more than any nut. They also contain over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and rumor has it that there's enough mental stimulation in one peanut to give a person 30 minutes of serious thinking.