Khaberni - A recent scientific study published this week reveals that consuming two handfuls daily (about 60 grams) of unsalted, skin-on roasted peanuts for just 16 weeks can improve verbal memory and increase blood flow to the brain in people over the age of 65.
The study, conducted at Maastricht University in the Netherlands on 31 healthy volunteers aged between 65 and 75 years, was designed in a "crossover" manner such that the performance of each participant was compared to themselves in two phases: a phase in which they consumed peanuts daily, and a phase in which they completely abstained from peanuts and all other nuts.
Main results of the study
According to the "Daily Mail", the study's results showed an improvement in verbal memory by 5.8% (recalling more words from a list after a 20 minute delay), an increase in overall brain blood flow by 3.6%, and to the gray matter by 4.5%, with a rise in blood flow in regions responsible for memory and language: 6.6% in the frontal lobe and 4.9% in the temporal lobe.
Principal investigator Dr. Peter Joris said: "Adequate blood flow to the brain is crucial for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the neural cells. The brain is a very metabolically active organ, and any deficiency in nutrition directly affects its functions, starting with memory."
Benefits of consuming peanuts
The researchers attributed the benefit to a combination of: the amino acid "L-arginine" found abundantly in peanuts, which converts in the body to nitric oxide, a vasodilator, the biologically active compounds, fibers, and antioxidants found in the thin peanut skin (red skin).
Despite adding about 340 calories daily, the participants' weight did not significantly increase because they automatically reduced the quantities of other foods.
Joris confirmed: "We were surprised that the improvement was not limited to specific areas, but included the entire brain, suggesting a broad effect on vascular function, and importantly, the peanuts must be unsalted and with their skin to obtain the greatest possible benefit."
