Eating peanuts every day helped older adults improve their brain's sensitivity to insulin and maintain their memory, SciTechDaily reports. Researchers at the Medical Center of Maastricht University in the Netherlands conducted the clinical trial, according to infohub.kz.
The experiment involved 31 healthy volunteers aged 60 to 75. For 16 weeks, participants ate 60 grams of unsalted peanuts roasted in their skins every day. The scientists then compared the data with results from a control period during which nuts were completely excluded from the diet.
The hormone insulin plays a key role in the nervous system: it helps brain cells exchange signals and supports memory and learning ability. With age, brain tissue often loses its sensitivity to the substance, leading to a decline in cognitive function. During the tests, the vascular response to insulin administration was measured using magnetic resonance imaging.
After the course of regular peanut consumption, the researchers recorded a noticeable positive response in the right side of the brain. The changes affected the hippocampus and adjacent areas, which are directly responsible for long-term and spatial memory. The same group of scientists had previously found that the habit increases overall blood flow to the brain by 3.6% and improves verbal memory scores by almost 6%.
The authors suggest that a whole complex of nutrients contained in peanuts provided the protective effect. In addition to healthy unsaturated fats and dietary fiber, the nuts are rich in the amino acid L-arginine. This substance serves as the basis for the production of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and stimulates the processes of memorizing information.