The brain benefits of this snack are crazy.
Certain foods are considered great when it comes to their nutritional benefits, promoting gut health, boosting immunity, and even helping us live longer.
A healthy handful of a common food can boost brain power as we age, according to a recent study.
A nutrient-rich diet is necessary for heart, vascular and brain health, especially as we age, to protect blood vessels in the brain, reducing the risk of impaired brain function, stroke and dementia.
And while they’re technically not a nut but a legume, peanuts share many of the same heart and metabolic benefits, providing an easy source of plant-based protein and healthy fats.
The beloved baseball snack may also boost memory in the aging brain.
A study published in the journal Food & Function found that two daily servings (about 60 grams) of roasted, unsalted peanuts improved insulin response in areas of the brain associated with memory.
Insulin is an essential hormone for brain function, involved in memory, learning and communication between nerve cells.
“As people age, the brain may become less responsive to insulin, which has been associated with age-related cognitive decline,” Dr. Peter Joris, lead author of the study, told SciTechDaily.
Researchers had 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75 eat two servings of peanuts per day for 16 weeks, either all at once, spread throughout the day, or added to meals, plus a control period without nut snacks.
To monitor the brain’s response, insulin was administered through the nose and regional cerebral blood flow was measured by arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI).
Increased blood flow to the brain provides the oxygen and nutrients needed to maintain strong cognitive function, even as we age.
The team also assessed cognitive performance using the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery.
Changes in how the brain responds to insulin appeared in brain regions involved in memory, suggesting that snacking boosts brain power.
Another study done in 2025 found similar results after eating peanuts for four months, showing increased cerebral blood flow and improved verbal memory.
“Multiple nutrients found in peanuts, including unsaturated fats, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, and bioactive phytochemicals, could potentially contribute to the observed brain benefits,” Joris said.
Not only are peanuts a good, quick source of protein, they’re also particularly rich in L-arginine, an amino acid that helps produce nitric oxide, which aids learning and memory.
The antioxidant-rich walnut may also help slow the aging process by reducing inflammation to preserve telomere length, or the caps on the ends of your chromosomes.
Telomeres shorten with age, which can contribute to age-related diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems.
Gn Health
