Peanuts May Boost Brain Health in Older Adults
New research suggests that daily consumption of peanuts might enhance blood flow to the brain and improve memory for older individuals. The study, published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, aimed to explore whether this simple and affordable snack could lead to measurable changes in cognitive function as people age.
Conducted by scientists at the NUTRIM Institute at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, the study involved 31 healthy older adults aged between 60 and 75. Participants consumed 60 grams of unsalted, peel-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks during one phase of the investigation. At another stage, they completely abstained from peanuts, as noted in a press statement.
The sequence of the two phases was randomized, with an 8-week interval between them to avoid any carryover effects from the first phase. Throughout the study, advanced MRI technology was employed to monitor brain blood flow, while memory was assessed using established cognitive tests.
At the conclusion of the peanut consumption phase, the findings showed an overall increase of 3.6% in brain blood flow. Notably, there was a more pronounced improvement in gray matter, which is essential for functions related to memory, emotion, and decision-making.
According to Dr. Peter Joris, a study author and associate professor at the institute, improved blood flow is a key indicator of brain health. He stated that their findings indicate that regular intake of unsalted roasted peanuts may enhance overall cerebral blood flow, indicating better cerebrovascular function.
These improvements were primarily observed in the frontal and temporal lobes, regions vital for complex reasoning and language abilities. Additionally, participants showed about a 5.8% enhancement in verbal memory assessments.
However, the study did not observe significant advances in other cognitive areas, such as executive function or reaction times. Interestingly, there were minor reductions in systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, hinting at broader benefits for vascular health.
Researchers pointed out that peanuts are packed with several nutrients that support vascular function, including unsaturated fats, plant proteins, fiber, polyphenols, and specific amino acids. They noted that peanuts are especially rich in L-arginine, which is crucial for vascular health, and contain beneficial unsaturated fats and polyphenols.
It’s worth mentioning that the particular type of peanuts used in the study—specifically unsalted, skin-roasted ones—provided additional antioxidants that may have contributed to the observed improvements in blood flow and cognitive function.
Despite these promising results, the study has some limitations, including its small participant group and the fact that all were healthy older adults. This raises questions about the applicability of the findings to broader populations, younger individuals, or those with health issues.
Moreover, only unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts were examined at certain amounts, so it’s unclear whether other peanut types or smaller servings would yield similar outcomes. There’s also the possibility that a placebo effect played a role, as participants were likely aware when they were consuming peanuts.
The trial lasted only a few months, which means it couldn’t determine whether the benefits would last long-term or influence the risk of dementia significantly. Given that peanuts are calorically dense, nutritionists typically advise moderation, recommending unsalted, lightly salted, or dry-roasted peanuts, balanced with healthy proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
The NUTRIM study was financially supported by the Peanut Research Institute Foundation, which did not participate in the study’s design, execution, analysis, or manuscript writing.
