Peanuts you may or may not know, are actually legumes, not nuts, which are grown underground as part of a root system. It is primarily due to the peanuts' direct contact with the soil that they can be a health risk. While actual nuts like almonds and walnuts have strong, hard shells that protect them, the legume (peanut) has soft and porous skin. When the environment surrounding the peanut becomes warm, humid and wet -- as it does in most regions of the U.S. where peanuts are commonly grown -- a fungal growth occurs. The fungus itself is not dangerous, but the poison it releases, known as "aflatoxin," is. This cancer-causing agent attacks the liver and is one of the more deadly food-borne toxins in existence.
When it comes to nutrition there is lots of debate on peanuts and especially peanut butter. Speaking as a true lover of the latter myself, I suggest limiting your intake. If it's protein you're after, try a true nut. Almonds in salad are great and almond butter or cashew butter are really tasty in place of peanut butter.
If you do want to try and find the healthiest peanuts, choose organic varieties grown in a region where the soil is dry and aflatoxin has therefore not been reported as a problem, such as New Mexico.
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