The brain benefits of this snack are nuts.
Certain foods are considered super when it comes to their nutritional benefits, promoting gut health, supporting immunity, and even helping us live longer.
A hefty handful of one common food can boost brain power as we age, according to recent research.
A nutrient-rich diet is necessary for heart, vascular and brain health, especially while getting older to protect blood vessels in the brain, decreasing 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 unsalted, roasted peanuts improved insulin responses in areas of the brain associated with memory.
Insulin is a critical hormone for brain function, involved with memory, learning and communication between nerve cells.
“As people age, the brain may become less responsive to insulin, which has been linked to age-related cognitive decline,” senior study author Dr. Peter Joris told SciTechDaily.
Researchers had 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75 eat two servings of peanuts daily for 16 weeks, either in one sitting, divided throughout the day or added to meals, as well as a control period without the nutty snack.
To track how the brain responded, insulin was administered through the nose and regional cerebral blood flow was measured with arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI).
Increased blood flow to the brain delivers necessary oxygen and nutrients to keep cognitive function strong, even as we get older.
The team also assessed cognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery.
Changes in how the brain responded to insulin appeared in regions of the brain involved with memory, suggesting the snack boosts brain power.
Another study from 2025 had similar results from eating peanuts for four months, showing increases in cerebral blood flow and improvements in verbal memory.
“Multiple nutrients present 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 especially rich in L-arginine, an amino acid that helps produce nitric oxide, which facilitates learning and memory.
The antioxidant-rich nut can also help slow down the aging process by reducing inflammation to preserve telomere length, or the caps at the ends of your chromosomes.
Telomeres get shorter as we age, which can contribute to age-related diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart issues.
