Rachel V Thomas

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Can Eating Peanuts Daily Boost Brain Health And Lower Alzheimer's Disease Risk?

Eating about two servings of unsalted, skin-roasted <span>peanuts</span> daily may help support brain health, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease, suggests a study.

The study, conducted in older adults, suggests that eating 60 grams of peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved insulin responsiveness in brain regions involved in memory, a function that can weaken with age and is linked to Alzheimer's Disease.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Food &amp; Function, the study highlights how daily peanut consumption may influence brain insulin signalling. However, it does not establish that peanuts can prevent Alzheimer's disease.

<h2>How Daily Peanut Consumption Improved <span rel="noindex">Brain Insulin Response</span></h2>

The study included 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75. During the peanut consumption phase, participants ate 60 grams (approximately two servings) of peanuts daily for 16 weeks.

Researchers used a randomized, controlled crossover trial, allowing them to compare the effects of eating peanuts with those of avoiding them.

The elderly who consumed peanuts daily showed improved insulin responsiveness in several brain regions in the right hemisphere. These included parts of the lingual gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus, all involved in memory-related processes.

While insulin is best known for regulating blood sugar, it also plays an important role in the brain. It supports nerve cell growth, survival and communication, helping maintain memory and other cognitive abilities.

<strong>Also read</strong>: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/just-four-days-of-high-fat-diet-may-increase-inflammation-study-finds-article-156434395" data-type="tilCustomLink">Just Four Days Of High-Fat Diet May Increase Inflammation, Study Finds</a>

Reduced brain responsiveness to insulin with age has been linked to cognitive decline.

"The hormone insulin plays an important role in the brain, where it supports memory and other cognitive processes. As people age, the brain may become less responsive to insulin, which has been linked to age-related cognitive decline," said Dr Peter Joris, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University Medical Center, Netherlands.

"Our study found that daily peanut consumption beneficially affected insulin responsiveness in memory-related brain regions in older adults. These findings suggest that enhanced regional brain insulin responsiveness may contribute to the cognitive benefits of unsalted, skin-roasted peanut intake," he added.

<h2>Which Peanut Nutrients May Support Brain Health?</h2>

<strong>Read More</strong>: <a href="http://healthandme.com/nutrition/peanut-consumption-associated-with-lower-type-2-diabetes-risk-study-explains-article-156317603" data-type="tilCustomLink" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">Peanut Consumption Associated With Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Study Explains</a>

Researchers supplied participants with premeasured packets of skin-roasted peanuts to ensure consistent consumption.

Participants were instructed to eat their peanuts in the morning or afternoon. They could consume the entire portion at once, divide it into smaller servings throughout the day or include the peanuts in their meals.

Researchers believe several peanut components, rather than a single nutrient, may contribute to the observed effects.

"Multiple nutrients present in peanuts, including unsaturated fats, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals and bioactive phytochemicals, could potentially contribute to the observed brain benefits," said Joris.

"Peanuts are also a good source of plant-based protein and are especially rich in L-arginine. L-arginine is a key precursor of nitric oxide (NO), which has been reported to facilitate learning and memory performance," he added.

Peanut and Improvements in Blood Flow and Verbal Memory

A previous study published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Nutrition 2025, found that consuming peanuts for 16 weeks increased overall cerebral blood flow (CBF) by 3.6% and improved verbal memory performance by 5.8%.

Cerebral blood flow measures the amount of blood circulating through the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients that brain cells need to function. It is also an indicator of brain blood vessel health.

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Eating about two servings of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily may help support brain health, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease, suggests a study.The study, conducted in older adults, suggests that eating 60 grams of peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved insulin responsiveness in brain regions involved in memory, a function that can weaken with age and is linked to Alzheimer's Disease.Published in the peer-reviewed journal Food & Function, the study highlights how daily peanut consumption may influence brain insulin signalling. However, it does not establish that peanuts can prevent Alzheimer's disease.How Daily Peanut Consumption Improved Brain Insulin ResponseThe study included 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75. During the peanut consumption phase, participants ate 60 grams (approximately two servings) of peanuts daily for 16 weeks.Researchers used a randomized, controlled crossover trial, allowing them to compare the effects of eating peanuts with those of avoiding them.The elderly who consumed peanuts daily showed improved insulin responsiveness in several brain regions in the right hemisphere. These included parts of the lingual gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus, all involved in memory-related processes.While insulin is best known for regulating blood sugar, it also plays an important role in the brain. It supports nerve cell growth, survival and communication, helping maintain memory and other cognitive abilities.Also read: Just Four Days Of High-Fat Diet May Increase Inflammation, Study FindsReduced brain responsiveness to insulin with age has been linked to cognitive decline."The hormone insulin plays an important role in the brain, where it supports memory and other cognitive processes. As people age, the brain may become less responsive to insulin, which has been linked to age-related cognitive decline," said Dr Peter Joris, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University Medical Center, Netherlands."Our study found that daily peanut consumption beneficially affected insulin responsiveness in memory-related brain regions in older adults. These findings suggest that enhanced regional brain insulin responsiveness may contribute to the cognitive benefits of unsalted, skin-roasted peanut intake," he added.Which Peanut Nutrients May Support Brain Health?Read More: Peanut Consumption Associated With Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Study ExplainsResearchers supplied participants with premeasured packets of skin-roasted peanuts to ensure consistent consumption.Participants were instructed to eat their peanuts in the morning or afternoon. They could consume the entire portion at once, divide it into smaller servings throughout the day or include the peanuts in their meals.Researchers believe several peanut components, rather than a single nutrient, may contribute to the observed effects."Multiple nutrients present in peanuts, including unsaturated fats, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals and bioactive phytochemicals, could potentially contribute to the observed brain benefits," said Joris."Peanuts are also a good source of plant-based protein and are especially rich in L-arginine. L-arginine is a key precursor of nitric oxide (NO), which has been reported to facilitate learning and memory performance," he added.Peanut and Improvements in Blood Flow and Verbal MemoryA previous study published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Nutrition 2025, found that consuming peanuts for 16 weeks increased overall cerebral blood flow (CBF) by 3.6% and improved verbal memory performance by 5.8%.Cerebral blood flow measures the amount of blood circulating through the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients that brain cells need to function. It is also an indicator of brain blood vessel health.

can eating peanuts daily boost brain health and lower alzheimer's disease risk?

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