ISLAMABAD: Do peanuts represent the number one snack worldwide? The majority of individuals would probably answer “yes,” but at the same time, they would be likely to peel the thin, papery skins off the peanuts. Now a new study has said eating them that way may be wrong.
Peanut consumption with skin was a principal variable in the study conducted by researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center, the Netherlands. Their findings indicate that it not only improves brain functions but also heightens memory and blood flow.
The clinical trial was based on the participation of 31 healthy adults aged 60-75 years, who were asked to consume 60 grams of peanuts daily for 16 weeks. The outcomes showed that on average there was a 3.6% increase in brain blood flow and 5.8% improvement in memory among study subjects. Also, a reduction in their blood pressure levels was observed, thus, indicating cardiovascular benefits overall.
One could hypothesize that the role of the peanut skin is pivotal due to the fact that besides extra fiber it also has natural plant compounds (polyphenols) which provide support to the activities of a healthy brain. The amino acids and healthy fats in peanuts also facilitate more oxygenated blood flow to the brain areas related to cognition and memory.
The researchers stated that perhaps “Regular intake of peanuts with unpeeled skins may be a viable strategy to keep brain function at a healthy level and also improve memory performance.”
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Peanuts are not only a great source of plant protein, good fats, and bioactive compounds-but this new research published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, makes it clear that they can be a simple dietary means of brain and heart health promotion.
