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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Nov;40(11):5556-5567.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.09.020. Epub 2021 Sep 20.

Consumption of peanut products improves memory and stress response in healthy adults from the ARISTOTLE study: A 6-month randomized controlled trial

Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Consumption of peanut products improves memory and stress response in healthy adults from the ARISTOTLE study: A 6-month randomized controlled trial

Isabella Parilli-Moser et al. Clin Nutr. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Peanuts are rich in bioactive compounds that may have a positive impact on memory and stress response.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of regular consumption of peanut products on cognitive functions and stress response in healthy young adults.

Design: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted in 63 healthy young adults that consumed 25 g/day of skin roasted peanuts (SRP, n = 21), 32 g/d of peanut butter (PB, n = 23) or 32 g/d of a control butter made from peanut oil (free of phenolic compounds and fiber) (CB, n = 19) for six months. Polyphenol intake, cognitive functions, and anxiety and depression scores were evaluated using validated tests. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and plasma and fecal fatty acids were assessed by chromatographic methods. Urinary cortisol was quantified by an enzymatic method.

Results: Comparing the two interventions with the control, a significant reduction in anxiety scores was observed in the SRP compared to the CB group. After the intervention, consumers of SRP and PB had an improved immediate memory (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011). Lower anxiety scores were associated with SRP and PB (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) and lower depression scores with SRP, PB and CB (p = 0.007, p = 0.003 and p = 0.032, respectively). Memory functions and stress response were significantly correlated with polyphenol intake, fecal SCFAs, plasma and fecal very long chain saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs).

Conclusions: Regular peanut and peanut butter consumption may enhance memory function and stress response in a healthy young population. These effects seem to be associated with the intake of peanut polyphenols, increased levels of fecal SCFAs, and unexpectedly, VLCSFAs, which were also present in the control product.

Keywords: Cognition; Gut–brain axis; Polyphenols; Resveratrol; Short-chain fatty acids; Very long-chain saturated fatty acids.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest R.M.L-R reports receiving lecture fees from Cerveceros de España; and receiving lecture fees and travel support from Adventia. R.E reports personal fees, grants, and nonfinancial support from the California Walnut Commission and Alexion; personal fees and nonfinancial support from Danone; and nonfinancial support from the International Nut Council. Nevertheless, these foundations were not involved in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, the writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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