Consuming peanuts as part of a healthy diet can help prevent age-related cognitive decline, as well as improve cognitive function and reduce stress in young adults.
Polyphenols in peanuts would be associated with a reduction in cortisol levels, anxiety and depression in healthy young adults participating in a study conducted by the University of Barcelona and published in 2021 in Clinical Nutrition.
In the study, the participants who obtained the improvements in cognitive function consumed 25 grams per day of roasted peanuts with skin or two tablespoons (32 grams) per day of peanut butter.
“Improved memory function and stress response after regular peanut and peanut butter consumption appear to be related to the mental health effects of bioactive compounds. such as resveratrol and p-coumaric acid found in peanuts…”, pointed out Rosa M. Lamuela-Raventós, principal investigator of the study.
According to the research report from the University of Barcelona, beneficial compounds in peanuts for brain health include:
Niacin: has been linked to a slower rate of cognitive decline and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin E: promotes healthy brain aging and delays cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Resveratrol: is related to the protection of neurons against oxidative damage and the prevention of neuronal death.
p-coumaric acid: an antioxidant that appears to target neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety.
Peanuts and prevention of age-related cognitive decline
Peanut consumption may help prevent age-related cognitive decline, according to Frank Snacks, professor of cardiovascular disease prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health.
“People who eat peanuts regularly have a lower risk of heart disease; and there is increasing evidence that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Snacks.
Peanuts are part of the MIND study. The MIND diet is a combination of Mediterranean and DASH diet plans. Focuses on plant-based foods related to dementia prevention.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), studies have associated the MIND diet with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and a slower rate of cognitive decline.
The MIND diet study was developed in collaboration between Rush University, Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and the National Institute on Aging.
It may interest you:
–7 foods that help keep the brain young for longer
–Only one beer a day can reduce the size of your brain, reveals a new study
–6 benefits for your body of eating almonds
/ / /Recipe of the day Widget */ // .recipeoftheday_widget { margin: 35px 0; padding: 35px 0; border-top: 1px solid #ddd; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; } .recetadeldia_widget h2{ text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; padding-bottom: 14px; margin-top:0; margin-bottom: 21px; font-size: 21px; } .recetadeldia_widget h2 a { text-decoration: none; } .recetadeldia_widget .recetadeldia_widget_content { max-width: 35px; text-align: center; margin:auto; display: block; } .recetadeldia_widget .recetadeldia_widget_content h3 { font-size: 21px; } .recetadeldia_widget .recetadeldia_widget_content h3 a { color: black; text-decoration: underline; } .recetadeldia_widget .recetadeldia_widget_content pa { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; } .mobile .recetadeldia_widget .recetadeldia_widget_content h3 a { text-decoration: none; } .recetadeldia_widget .recetadeldia_widget_content p { text-align: center !important; margin-bottom:0 !important; }