Daily Peanuts Linked to Brain Insulin Response
A small Dutch study found older adults who ate peanuts daily for 16 weeks showed improved insulin responsiveness in memory-related brain regions.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nutrition
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Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center found that 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75 who ate 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks showed improved insulin responsiveness in several memory-related brain regions. The findings were published in the journal Food & Function.
Why it matters
The brain may become less responsive to insulin as people age, and reduced brain insulin responsiveness has been linked to cognitive decline. The results suggest a common food may support a process tied to memory and thinking abilities.
The study enrolled 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75 and compared a 16-week daily intake of 60 grams of peanuts against a 16-week period of complete peanut avoidance. Whether these brain-region changes translate into cognitive benefits has not been determined.
The players
Maastricht University Medical Center
A Dutch academic hospital affiliated with Maastricht University that conducts clinical and nutritional research.
The details
Participants were randomly assigned to eat peanuts or avoid them, then switched diets, allowing researchers to compare both approaches within the same individuals. Improvements appeared in parts of the hippocampus, lingual gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus on the right side of the brain. Researchers believe several nutrients and natural compounds in peanuts may work together to support brain health.
Timeline
Study phases each lasted 16 weeks, with participants switching between peanut-eating and peanut-avoidance diets.
Health Landscape
The study adds to a growing research line examining how dietary patterns may influence brain insulin signaling, a process linked to memory and cognitive decline in aging. It offers an early, small-scale look at whether a widely eaten food could support that process.
For older adults, the findings suggest peanuts may be worth considering as part of a balanced diet, though the study was small and not a treatment recommendation. Readers should consult a healthcare provider before making dietary changes tied to cognitive health.
The takeaway
Adding a modest, whole-food habit like daily peanuts may be one low-cost way to support brain health, but larger studies are needed. Focus on overall dietary patterns rather than any single food.
Further reading
Explore more on Nutrition to see how everyday foods are studied for their effects on the body and brain.
Source note: This article includes information reported by dpa International.
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