Scientists discover a surprising brain benefit of eating peanuts every day
A surprising new study suggests that eating peanuts every day could help support brain health and memory in older adults. Researchers found that consuming about two servings of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved insulin responsiveness in brain regions important for memory, a function that often weakens with age and has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
A study conducted by researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands has revealed a potential brain benefit from daily consumption of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts. Published in the journal Food & Function, the findings suggest that regularly eating these peanuts may improve insulin responsiveness in certain brain regions, which in turn supports memory and cognitive function in older adults.
Insulin plays a crucial role in the brain by facilitating nerve cell growth, survival, and communication, thereby contributing to memory and cognitive abilities. Notably, as people age, their brain may become less responsive to insulin, a factor linked to age-related cognitive decline. The study's senior author, Dr. Peter Joris, highlights that the findings indicate daily peanut consumption could positively impact insulin responsiveness in memory-related brain areas among older individuals.
The research, funded by The Peanut Institute Foundation, involved 31 healthy adults aged between 60 and 75 years. For 16 weeks, participants consumed 60 grams of peanuts daily, equivalent to approximately two servings. Utilizing a randomized, controlled crossover trial design, researchers compared the effects of eating peanuts to abstaining from them.
The study distinguished itself by pairing dietary intervention with advanced brain imaging techniques, including arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) and abdominal MRI.
ASL-MRI measured changes in blood flow in various brain regions, while insulin responsiveness was gauged by tracking regional cerebral blood flow after administering insulin through the nose. Abdominal MRI scans assessed fat accumulation in the liver, known as intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content. Cognitive abilities were evaluated using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).
The researchers attribute the observed brain benefits to multiple nutrients found in peanuts, such as unsaturated fats, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive phytochemicals, alongside the presence of L-arginine, an amino acid that aids in nitric oxide production - a compound believed to enhance learning and memory performance.
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