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Peanuts may improve regional brain insulin response

A randomized crossover trial found changes in insulin-induced cerebral blood flow following 16 weeks of daily peanut consumption, although the connection to improved memory remains unclear.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • October 16, 2026

  • 4 min

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  • 1

    In a randomized crossover trial of 31 adults aged 60 to 75 years, participants consumed 60 g of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks and completed a 16-week control period.

  • 2

    Peanut consumption was associated with a lower insulin-induced cerebral blood flow response in one right-hemisphere cluster spanning parts of memory-related brain regions.

  • 3

    The regional blood flow changes were not significantly associated with previously reported improvements in verbal recognition memory.

  • 4

    Peanut consumption did not significantly affect global brain insulin responsiveness, liver fat, glucose homeostasis, cholesterol, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

  • 5

    The small study used cerebral blood flow as an indirect measure of insulin-related neuronal activity and lacked an energy- and macronutrient-matched control.

Original Source(s)

Peanuts may improve regional brain insulin response

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • October 16, 2026

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