Fast Facts
Daily skin-roasted peanuts improved insulin responsiveness in older adults’ brains during a 16-week trial.
Improvements occurred in right-hemisphere regions involved in memory, including the hippocampus and related areas.
Earlier research linked peanuts with increased brain blood flow and improved verbal memory.
The crossover study involved just 31 adults, so findings need confirmation in larger trials.
A Small Study Finds a Brain Response
Daily peanuts may help the aging brain respond better to insulin. In a controlled crossover study, 31 adults ages 60 to 75 ate 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts each day for 16 weeks, then followed a period without peanuts.
After the peanut phase, brain imaging showed stronger insulin responsiveness in several regions tied to memory. The study measured a biological response, however—not a change in daily memory or a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Why Insulin Matters in the Brain
Insulin helps brain cells survive and communicate. With age, the brain may become less responsive to it, a change associated with cognitive decline.
The new findings build on earlier research involving the same daily serving and study period. That work reported increased blood flow to the brain and better verbal memory scores. Together, the results offer a promising lead, not proof that peanuts prevent memory loss.
A Practical Food, With Limits
Peanuts provide unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant-based protein. Researchers say several nutrients may contribute to the effects; the study did not identify one responsible ingredient.
For many people, adding a measured serving to a snack or meal may be simple. Still, the trial was small and lasted only 16 weeks. Peanut allergies, calorie needs and individual health conditions also matter. Larger, longer studies are needed to learn whether these brain changes lead to lasting improvements in memory or quality of life.
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