Regular Peanut Consumption May Benefit Brain Health

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Research published in the journal Food & Function indicates that regularly eating two servings, or about 60 grams, of unsalted roasted peanuts each day may improve the brain’s insulin response in areas associated with memory.

According to a New York Post report on Sunday (1 November), 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75 were asked to eat two servings of peanuts daily for 16 weeks and also took part in a control period during which they ate no peanuts.

During the study, participants could eat the peanuts all at once, spread them across the day or add them to meals.

The findings showed a change in the brain’s insulin response in areas associated with memory, indicating that peanut consumption may support brain function.

Dr Peter Joris, the study’s author, said the brain may become less responsive to insulin as people age.

“This condition is associated with the cognitive decline that occurs with ageing,” he told SciTechDaily.

“The various nutrients in peanuts, including unsaturated fats, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and bioactive phytochemicals, may contribute to the observed benefits for the brain,” Joris said.

As well as being a convenient and readily available source of protein, peanuts are rich in L-arginine, an amino acid that helps produce nitric oxide, which plays a role in supporting learning and memory.

Peanuts, which are rich in antioxidants, may also help slow the ageing process by reducing inflammation.