European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EXPLORING THE FUNCTIONAL INTERACTION OF JAGGERY IN PEANUT-INDUCED TOXICITY AND ALLERGENICITY: A SIDDHA PERSPECTIVE WITH SUPPORTING MODERN EVIDENCE

Dr. Mrs. Bamini Mithurendran*, Dr. Ranashinge Mithurendran

ABSTRACT

Traditional dietary systems such as Siddha medicine emphasize specific food combinations that are believed to enhance health and mitigate food related adverse effects. One such culturally significant pairing is peanuts and jaggery, widely consumed in South Asia as an energy dense functional food. The objective of this study was to assess the scientific rationale behind this combination and to explore its potential roles in metabolic modulation, toxicity reduction, and allergenicity. This narrative review evaluates the traditional Siddha recommendation of combining peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and jaggery Primarily made from Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) using integrative evidence from Siddha literature and modern nutritional science. The data collected through Siddha classical texts, scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Evidence on peanut and jaggery composition, food - food interactions, allergenicity, and aflatoxin toxicity was analyzed. Findings indicate that peanuts are rich in high quality protein, essential fatty acids, and bioactive antioxidant compounds, whereas jaggery provides carbohydrates, trace minerals, and phenolic antioxidants. Siddha texts describe this combinations were functioning in an antidote and balancing role by strengthening digestive fire (Agni) and reducing toxic metabolic by products (Amam). Modern evidence suggests possible synergistic effects, including improved glycemic control due to peanut macronutrients and a theoretical reduction in allergenic potential through protein polyphenol interactions. Jaggery’s antioxidant properties may also help mitigate oxidative stress associated with aflatoxin exposure. However, peanuts remain associated with risks such as IgE-mediated allergy and aflatoxin contamination, while excessive jaggery intake may contribute to glycemic load and metabolic stress. According to Nanju Murivu Nool, excessive peanut consumption may cause gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms, which are traditionally managed using jaggery as an antidotal remedy to restore humoral balance. The peanut jaggery combination demonstrates plausible nutritional and metabolic synergy with partially supportive biochemical mechanisms. However, its proposed antidote effects on allergenicity and toxicity remain largely theoretical and require further experimental and clinical validation.

Keywords: Siddha medicine, peanut, jaggery, antidote, food synergy, allergenicity, functional food, Toxicology.