A recent study has revealed that incorporating approximately 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts into the daily diet can enhance brain function and lower blood pressure. Conducted by researchers at Maastricht University Medical Centre, the study highlights significant health benefits associated with this affordable snack, suggesting it may help to reduce the risk of dementia.
The findings, published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, indicate that consuming around 80 peanuts a day for four months can improve cerebral blood flow, an essential factor for maintaining cognitive health. The research involved a randomized control trial with 31 participants, averaging 67 years old. Participants consumed either the designated peanut quantity or no peanuts at all, serving as a control group, over a 16-week period, with an 8-week break in between.
During the study, researchers evaluated changes in brain vascular function by monitoring blood flow, alongside assessments of cognitive performance. The results demonstrated a notable 3.6% increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) among those who consumed peanuts. This improvement facilitates the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Moreover, participants exhibited a 5.8% enhancement in verbal memory, reflecting greater recall abilities, and an increase of 4.5% in grey matter density.
The health implications extend beyond cognitive function. The daily peanut intake was also linked to reductions in systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. To ensure the reliability of the results, strict guidelines were implemented for participants. These included prohibiting the consumption of any other nuts or nut-based products, restricting physical activity for 48 hours before tests, abstaining from alcohol the day prior to examinations, and fasting for a minimum of 12 hours overnight before each visit.
Lead author Peter Joris, an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University, emphasized the importance of CBF as a physiological marker of brain health. He stated, “CBF refers to the amount of blood that flows through the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients that are essential for maintaining brain health.”
This research is particularly relevant for older adults, as the risk of cognitive decline and dementia increases with age. The World Health Organization reported that in 2021, approximately 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia, with projections estimating that this number could rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050.
The conclusion of the study underscores the potential benefits of regular peanut consumption. It states, “Daily consumption of skin-roasted peanuts for 16 weeks improved brain vascular function in healthy older men and women. These favorable effects may underpin the observed improvements in verbal memory, highlighting a potential mechanism by which increased peanut intake beneficially affects cognitive performance.”
Incorporating peanuts into a daily diet may provide an accessible and cost-effective strategy for enhancing cognitive health, particularly for the aging population. The findings advocate for further exploration into dietary interventions as a means to mitigate age-related cognitive decline and promote overall brain health.
