A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study suggests that regular consumption of unsalted roasted peanuts can help improve brain vascular health. The study, published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, shows that consistent addition of unsalted roasted peanuts to daily diet can enhance blood flow in multiple regions of the brain.

According to Dr. Peter Joris, an associate professor at the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, "Cerebral blood flow is a crucial indicator of cerebrovascular function, as it delivers the oxygen and nutrients necessary for maintaining brain health. We found that long-term consumption of unsalted roasted peanuts can increase overall cerebral blood flow, indicating improved cerebrovascular function."

The study recruited 31 healthy participants aged between 60 and 75 years, who were asked to consume 60 grams of unsalted roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks. Following this, participants underwent arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging to quantify whole-brain blood flow. The imaging results showed increased overall cerebral blood flow and gray matter blood flow in participants consuming peanuts, with the most significant increases observed in the frontal and temporal lobes. These changes were correlated with improved language memory performance. Additionally, participants consuming peanuts showed significant reductions in blood pressure.

"We have for the first time confirmed that consuming unsalted roasted peanuts can improve cerebrovascular function in healthy elderly people," Joris pointed out. "These beneficial effects may explain the observed memory improvement and provide new insights into how regular peanut consumption can benefit cognitive function." The research team also emphasized the important role of advanced imaging techniques in visualizing the impacts of dietary changes.

Source: China Nuclear Technology Network