With the peanut representing an ever-increasing component of the global diet, the current book presents a scientific analysis of the two main and dichotomous properties of peanuts: allergenicity and health. The volume provides a technical explanation of the bioactive nutrients and dietary benefits of the peanut. It also reviews and analyzes the evidence implicating peanuts as a food allergen. Moving beyond nutritional science to food technology and engineering, the book demonstrates how genetic, pre-harvest, post-harvest and processing technologies can be applied to increase the nutraceutical value of peanuts and mitigate their risks.