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Peanuts Boost Brain Power & Memory
1 Dec
Summary
- Eating peanuts daily can enhance brain function.
- Study shows increased cerebral blood flow by 3.6%.
- Memory recall improved by 5.8% in older adults.
Research from Maastricht University Medical Center indicates that including unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts in your daily diet can offer substantial benefits for brain health. Consuming approximately 60 peanuts per day for four months was linked to a 3.6% increase in global cerebral blood flow and a 5.8% improvement in memory functions in healthy older adults aged 60 to 75. This enhanced blood flow delivers essential oxygen and nutrients, crucial for cognitive well-being and potentially mitigating age-related cognitive decline.
The study highlights the role of peanuts in supporting vascular function in the brain, a factor that naturally declines with age and can contribute to an increased risk of dementia. Beyond cognitive improvements, participants also experienced a reduction in blood pressure. These findings build upon previous research by the same team, which observed similar positive effects on brain health from soy nuts and mixed nuts, but the current study specifically demonstrates improved global and gray matter cerebral blood flow.
The beneficial effects are attributed to the rich nutritional profile of peanuts, including unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, plant chemicals, and inflammation-reducing antioxidants like resveratrol found in the peanut skin. The amino acid l-arginine may also play a role, as IV infusions of this compound have previously shown to boost cerebral blood flow. This research underscores the simple yet powerful impact of dietary choices, like eating peanuts, on long-term brain health and memory.
