> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.brownytimes.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Can peanuts benefit brain health? What a new study found - URL: https://www.brownytimes.com/can-peanuts-benefit-brain-health-what-a-new-study-found/ - Published: 2026-11-02T20:15:28.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-02T20:15:28.000Z - Description: A study of 31 older adults found changes in the brain's response to insulin after 16 weeks of eating peanuts daily. - Author: Browny Times - Tags: Health & Science, Nutrition, Medical Research *Research carried out in the Netherlands found changes in brain regions linked to memory after 16 weeks of daily peanut consumption. Scientists say further studies are needed to determine whether these findings translate into long-term cognitive benefits.* A food commonly included in many diets may have a more complex relationship with brain health than previously thought. Scientists at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that daily consumption of roasted, skin-on, unsalted peanuts was associated with changes in the brain’s response to insulin among older adults. The study was published online on September 30, 2026, in the scientific journal *Food & Function*. It was led by researcher Lucia Kerkhof and Associate Professor Peter J. Joris of the NUTRIM Institute. The research involved 31 people aged between 60 and 75 and examined whether a 16-week dietary intervention could influence the brain’s response to this hormone. Insulin plays a role in processes linked to the functioning of nerve cells, memory and other cognitive functions. The findings add to scientific knowledge about the relationship between diet and brain ageing. However, they do not establish that eating peanuts can prevent Alzheimer’s disease or reduce the risk of dementia. ### How the study was conducted The research was a randomised, crossover trial. Each participant went through two 16-week periods in random order. During one period, they ate 60 grams of roasted, skin-on, unsalted peanuts every day, equivalent to approximately two servings. During the other period, they followed their usual diet without peanuts. There was a break of at least eight weeks between the two periods. This design allows researchers to compare each participant with themselves, reducing the influence of individual differences. The researchers and those assessing the results did not know which phase each measurement belonged to. Participants, however, knew when they were eating peanuts, which is unavoidable in a food-based study. The peanuts were eaten with their skins because the skin contains plant compounds of scientific interest. They were also unsalted to avoid excessive sodium intake. To measure the effects, the research team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a technique known as Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL), which measures blood flow in the brain. Participants received insulin through the nose, allowing researchers to observe how different brain regions responded. Abdominal MRI scans were also used to measure fat stored in the liver. ### What the researchers found The analysis identified a group of regions in the right hemisphere of the brain whose response to insulin changed following the peanut consumption period. These areas included mainly parts of the lingual gyrus, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, with smaller involvement of the thalamus and posterior cingulate. Several of these structures play a role in memory. It is important to explain the technical finding accurately. Following peanut consumption, the blood-flow response to insulin in that region was lower, not higher. The authors interpret this pattern as a potentially favourable effect on the brain’s sensitivity to the hormone. It does not represent a general increase in brain activity. The findings build on results published by the same research team in 2025 in the journal *Clinical Nutrition*, involving the same participants. That study found that daily peanut consumption over 16 weeks was associated with a 3.6 per cent increase in overall cerebral blood flow and a 5.8 per cent improvement in verbal memory. Systolic blood pressure also decreased by approximately 5 mmHg, along with pulse pressure. The researchers suggest that an improved brain response to insulin could help explain some of these effects. ### Why does insulin matter to the brain? Insulin is commonly associated with controlling blood sugar levels, but it also plays a role in the nervous system. It is involved in communication between nerve cells, their survival, learning and memory. As people get older, the brain may become less sensitive to this hormone, a change associated with cognitive decline. This is why scientists are investigating whether certain dietary patterns can influence this process. The Maastricht research group has previously explored this area. In an earlier study involving 28 older adults who were overweight or living with obesity, prolonged consumption of a mixed selection of nuts improved insulin sensitivity in certain regions of the brain. ### Nutrients under investigation According to Joris, the combination of several components found in peanuts could help explain the observed effects. These include: - **Unsaturated fats**, which are part of a balanced diet. - **Plant-based protein and fibre**, which provide amino acids and support metabolic health. - **Vitamins and minerals**, which contribute to various cellular functions. - **Bioactive phytochemicals**, many of which are concentrated in the peanut skin. - **L-arginine**, an amino acid used by the body to produce nitric oxide, a molecule that helps regulate blood vessels. Researchers have not yet established which of these components has the greatest influence on the observed changes. ### What the study does not prove The study involved only 31 participants, which is a relatively small sample. It also excluded people with diabetes, smokers and individuals with peanut allergies. For this reason, the findings cannot automatically be applied to the wider population, people living with diabetes, individuals with neurological conditions or other age groups. During the study, there were no changes in fasting glucose or insulin levels, lipid markers or indicators of systemic inflammation. Liver fat levels also remained unchanged. The observed effect was concentrated in a specific brain region and did not represent an overall improvement in metabolic health. The research does not demonstrate that peanuts can prevent Alzheimer’s disease, stop dementia or replace medical treatment. ### Research funding The research was funded by The Peanut Institute Foundation, an organisation linked to the peanut industry. According to the funding declaration published with the study, the foundation did not participate in the study design, data collection or analysis, publication decisions, or preparation of the manuscript. The industry funding is relevant context when evaluating the findings, particularly given the study's small sample size. ### A research finding, not a prescription The importance of this research goes beyond one particular food. It forms part of a wider scientific effort to understand how nutrition, metabolism and brain function are connected during ageing. For Guyana and the Caribbean, where chronic diseases and an ageing population remain important public health concerns, findings like these bring nutritional research into the wider conversation about prevention and healthy ageing. The main takeaway is not that people should start eating large amounts of peanuts. The 60-gram daily quantity used in the study provides approximately 340 calories, and peanuts are also a major food allergen. Rather, the research shows that scientists are continuing to investigate how certain foods may influence biological processes linked to brain health. For now, the findings represent an encouraging research lead that requires further studies involving larger and more diverse populations, as well as longer follow-up periods.