Scientists discover a surprising brain benefit of eating peanuts every day
A study from Maastricht University suggests that daily consumption of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts improves insulin responsiveness in brain regions associated with memory in older adults. These findings indicate a potential dietary intervention to combat age-related cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Simple dietary changes could offer a non-invasive way to support brain health and mitigate risks associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Eating peanuts every day may offer surprising benefits for the aging brain. Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands have found that regularly consuming unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts can improve how certain brain regions respond to insulin in older adults. The findings come from the Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM) and were published in the peer-reviewed journal Food & Function .
Although insulin is best known for regulating blood sugar, it also plays an essential role in the brain. It helps nerve cells grow, survive, and communicate with one another, supporting memory and other cognitive abilities. Healthy insulin signaling may also help protect against processes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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