Emma Miller
Peanut consumption has a very clear and specific effect on cognitive function and stress response in healthy young adults.
According to the results of a study conducted by Spanish scientists, regular consumption of peanuts has a positive effect on cognitive function and stress response in young healthy people. The relevant material was published in the specialized edition of Clinical Nutrition.
To fill this gap, researchers from Barcelona and Madrid recruited a group of 63 healthy young adults aged 19 to 33 who included a serving of peanut products in their diet every day.
“Most previous studies have been conducted among people with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or at risk of chronic metabolic disease. In such people, changing the structure of the diet or introducing healthy foods into their usual diet is easier to observe a positive effect,” said Rosa Lamuela-Raventós, associate professor and lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of Barcelona,
Using a wide range of cognitive tests and analyses that are associated with biochemical indicators of the stress response – cortisol, the researchers demonstrated that in this group of people, daily intake of peanuts or peanut products leads to improved cognitive function and stress response.
Also, scientists say, they have proven the positive impact of including peanut products in a healthy diet on the gut-brain microbiota axis.
