Peanut Oil Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Peanut oil is a vegetable oil pressed from peanuts, which are the seeds of the peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea). Despite the name, peanuts are legumes, not true nuts. The plant is grown widely in warm regions around the world, including parts of Asia, Africa, and the southern United States.

Most people know peanut oil as a cooking oil, valued for its mild flavor and high smoke point, which makes it popular for frying. It also shows up as a base or "carrier" oil in skin lotions, hair products, and massage oils, and it is used as an ingredient in a few medications and supplements.

Peanut oil comes in different grades. Refined peanut oil has had most of the peanut proteins removed during processing, while crude, cold-pressed, or gourmet oils keep more of these proteins and may carry more allergy risk.

Peanut oil is made up mostly of fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Diets that replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats are linked with better heart-health markers, though this is a general principle about fats and not unique to peanut oil.

The oil also contains small amounts of vitamin E and plant compounds that act as antioxidants. On the skin, oils like peanut oil form a barrier that helps slow water loss, which is why they can feel moisturizing.

Much of what is known comes from general nutrition science and laboratory work rather than large studies on peanut oil itself, so specific health claims should be viewed with caution.

As a food, peanut oil is generally recognized as safe for most people. The biggest concern is peanut allergy, which can be severe and even life-threatening. Highly refined peanut oil has had most allergy-causing proteins removed and is usually tolerated by people with peanut allergy, but crude, cold-pressed, or gourmet oils may still contain enough protein to trigger a reaction. If you have a peanut allergy, talk to your doctor before using any peanut oil and avoid it on your skin unless cleared.

Like all oils, peanut oil is high in calories. Using a lot of it can contribute to excess calorie intake.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Using peanut oil in normal amounts as a food is generally considered fine if you are not allergic. There is not enough information to recommend concentrated medicinal or supplemental doses during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is best to be cautious and check with your doctor first.

For most people, peanut oil used in food causes no problems. Eating large amounts of any oil may cause stomach upset or loose stools.

The most serious risk is an allergic reaction in people sensitive to peanuts. Signs can include itching, hives, swelling, stomach upset, trouble breathing, or, in severe cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Seek emergency care right away if these occur.

Applied to the skin, peanut oil may occasionally cause irritation or a rash, especially in sensitive or allergic individuals.

There is no established medicinal dose for peanut oil. As a cooking oil, it is used in normal culinary amounts, like any other vegetable oil.

If you are using a product that contains peanut oil for skin care or another purpose, follow the directions on the label. Because needs and tolerance vary, and because of allergy concerns, it is a good idea to check with your pharmacist or doctor before using peanut oil for any health-related reason.