Daily Peanuts Improve Brain Insulin Sensitivity and Memory in Older Adults
Eating 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts every day for 16 weeks improves insulin responsiveness in specific memory-related regions of the aging brain, according to a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed journal Food & Function.
- Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center evaluated 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75.
- Participants consumed two daily servings of peanuts, resulting in enhanced insulin signaling in right-hemisphere brain structures, including the hippocampus and lingual gyrus.
- The findings build on a 2025 study published in Clinical Nutrition, which documented a 3.6% increase in global cerebral blood flow and a 5.8% improvement in verbal memory following the same dietary intervention.
Study Uses Randomized Crossover Trial to Track Peanut Intake
The study, led by principal investigator Associate Professor Dr. Peter J. Joris and conducted by Ph.D. candidate Lucia Kerkhof at the Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), utilized a randomized, controlled crossover trial design. Participants completed both a 16-week peanut consumption phase and a control phase without peanuts. Premeasured packets containing 60 grams of skin-roasted peanuts were supplied to ensure consistent daily intake, which participants could consume in one sitting or divide throughout the day.
To measure physiological impacts, researchers administered insulin through the nose and tracked changes in regional cerebral blood flow using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI). Scans revealed a beneficial response in a right-hemisphere cluster encompassing the lingual gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus, and posterior cingulate gyrus. Abdominal MRI scans were also performed to track intrahepatic lipid content, while cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).
Peanut Nutrients May Counteract Age Related Insulin Sensitivity Decline
Insulin regulates blood sugar in the peripheral system while supporting neuronal growth, survival, and synaptic communication within the central nervous system. Aging often brings diminished cerebral insulin sensitivity, a physiological shift associated with cognitive decline. According to Dr. Peter Joris, multiple dietary components likely account for the observed benefits rather than a single isolated nutrient. Peanuts supply unsaturated fats, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, bioactive phytochemicals, plant-based protein, and high concentrations of L-arginine, a key precursor to nitric oxide that facilitates learning and memory performance.
Funding Sources and Independent Analysis
The investigation received financial support from The Peanut Institute Foundation. According to the research team, the foundation had no involvement in study design, data collection, statistical analysis, result interpretation, or manuscript preparation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.