Consumption of peanut products improves memory and stress response in healthy adults

Peanuts are rich in bioactive compounds that may have a positive impact on memory and stress response.

This three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled study conducted in 63 healthy young adults, evaluated the effect of arachis consumption on cognitive functions and stress response. The intervention consisted to a supplementation with 25 g/day of skin roasted peanuts (SRP), 32 g/day of peanut butter (PB) or 32 g/day of a control butter (CB), for 6 months. The results showed that in the two interventions comparing with the control a significant reduction in anxiety score, an improved of immediate memory (p = 0.046 SRP and p = 0.01 PB), a lower anxiety score (p < 0.01 SRP and p = 0.02 PB), lower depression scores (p = 0.007 SRP, p = 0.003 PB and p = 0.032 CB). Memory function and stress response were significantly correlated with polyphenol intake, fecal short chain fatty acids, plasma and fecal long chain saturated fatty acids. This study suggests that peanut and peanut butter consumption could enhance memory funciton and stress response in a healthy young population.

Isabella Parilli-Moser, Inés Dominguez-Lopez, Marta Trius-Soler, Magda Castellvi, Beatriz Bosh, Sara Castro-Barquero, Ramon Estruch, Sara Huartado-BArrose, Rosa M Lamuela-Raventos. Consumption of peanut products improves memory and stress response in healthy adults from the ARISTOTLE study: A 6-month randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 2021 Nov;40(11):5556-5567.