Eating two handfuls of a common snack daily improves memory

"Eating unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily may boost memory and brain blood flow in older adults, a new study has found. Participants who consumed 60 grams, about two handfuls, of peanuts each day for 16 weeks showed a 5.8 percent improvement in verbal memory, performing better at recalling words from a list after a delay. The researchers attributed the benefits to the peanuts' L-arginine, an amino acid that increases blood flow to the brain, and the bioactive compounds in the skins, which help protect brain cells."

"The study, conducted in two phases, involved 31 healthy adults, aged 65 to 75, who had no history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or peanut allergies and were not current smokers, PsyPost reported. During the intervention phase, participants ate 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks. In the control phase, they avoided peanuts and other nut-based products for 16 weeks, following an eight-week break between phases."

"Improved blood flow means the brain receives more oxygen and nutrients, supporting memory and cognitive function. Peter J Joris, from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, said: 'Adequate blood flow in the brain is important for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells. 'Without enough oxygen and nutrients, the highly metabolically active brain cannot function properly, and key functions like memory can be affected.'"

Thirty-one healthy adults aged 65–75 completed a two-phase crossover intervention comparing 16 weeks of daily consumption of 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts with 16 weeks of avoidance and an eight-week washout. Daily peanut intake increased global cerebral blood flow by 3.6% and gray matter flow by 4.5%, with frontal and temporal lobe increases of 6.6% and 4.9%, respectively. Verbal memory improved by 5.8% on delayed word-recall tests. Benefits were attributed to L-arginine enhancing blood flow and to bioactive compounds in peanut skins protecting brain cells. Brain perfusion was measured by non-invasive MRI and cognition by computerized tests.

Read at Mail Online