Free Delivery In UK For Orders Over £ 35

7 days From 10AM - 6PM

Peanuts and Your Brain: Important Facts You Need to Know

on June 07, 2022

Dementia affects around 830,000 people in the United Kingdom, and about 23 million people have a close friend or family member who has dementia.
Dementia is more common in people over 65 years old. In the UK, however, 40,000 people under the age of 65 have dementia.

Researchers from the University of Barcelona discovered a substantial link between consuming peanuts or peanut butter and overall improved brain function in a fascinating new study.

Did you know that peanuts are the source of protein for more than half of all English? Or that new research shows that eating peanuts may help protect against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease?

Did you know that a handful of peanuts has more protein than a banana? Or that a serving of nuts can reduce your risk of heart disease, improve your blood pressure, and decrease your risk of diabetes?

Often thought of as an annoying piece of aeroplane food or a cheap snack in the school cafeteria, peanuts should be reconsidered as one of the most powerful brain foods. They are not only rich in healthy fats and proteins, but also provide high amounts of folic acid and vitamin E.

According to MDPI, these two nutrients play a key role in protecting our brains from cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, regular consumption of peanuts can have significant positive effects on your memory, concentration, and general cognitive performance.

Peanuts also contain high levels of resveratrol, which is associated with improved brain health, especially in older adults.

 

Eat more peanuts and protect your brain.

Peanut consumption has been proven to lower the risk of developing many different types of cancers, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to eat a handful of peanuts every day to boost your protection against cancer. We’ve already discussed how peanuts benefit the brain. But did you know that they also provide significant protection against diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even age-related cognitive decline? One of the primary reasons for this is the high protein content of peanuts. Protein is essential for our bodies. It is used to build and repair muscles, organs, and skin. It also helps regulate hormones and is used for making neurotransmitters. Peanut protein is not only rich in amino acids like tryptophan, but also provides significant amounts of vitamin E, folic acid, and magnesium. All of these nutrients play a key role in protecting our brains from cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

 

3 ways Peanuts Benefit Your Brain

  • Protein for new neurons: Peanuts are a source of complete protein, which means they provide all nine essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). These amino acids support the production of new neurons, which is extremely important for brain health and cognitive function as we age.
  • Vitamin E: Peanuts are an excellent source of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that protects the brain and nervous system against damage by free radicals. Vitamin E deficiency has been linked to cognitive decline.
  • Magnesium for neurotransmitters: A significant amount of magnesium is found in peanuts and is necessary for nearly every biochemical process in the body. It is also necessary for neurotransmitter release, which is responsible for basically everything we do and feel. Mg deficiency has been linked to anxiety, depression, and poor cognitive function.

 

Why are Peanuts Good for Your Brain?

  • Folic acid for cognitive health: Peanuts are an excellent source of folic acid, which is especially important for maternal and fetal health. Folic acid is also necessary for cognitive health, especially when it comes to preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Vitamin E for general brain health: As we’ve discussed, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the brain and nervous system against damage. It is particularly important for people of all ages who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Magnesium for stress reduction: As we’ve also discussed, magnesium is necessary for neurotransmitter release and has been linked to stress reduction. A magnesium deficiency has been linked to anxiety, depression, and poor cognitive function.

 

Peanuts and depression

New research has found that eating peanuts might help combat depression. A comparison of nearly 1,700 people in the United Kingdom found that those who consumed peanuts at least once per week had a lower risk of depression compared to those who consumed peanuts less than once a week. The mechanism behind this effect is still unclear, but scientists suspect that the high levels of vitamin E, folic acid, and magnesium in peanuts may be beneficial for depression. Other studies have found that low vitamin E levels are linked to an increased risk of depression.

 

Peanuts and Dementia

As we’ve discussed, peanuts are an excellent source of folic acid and vitamin E, which are important for cognitive health. Studies have found that eating peanuts regularly may help protect against cognitive decline and reduce the risk of developing dementia. Another study has found that people who consume peanuts regularly have a significantly lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Moreover, it has been suggested that peanuts may be helpful for people who have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

 

More Benefits of Peanut Consumption

  • Improved memory: Peanuts are rich in vitamin E, which has been linked to improved memory and concentration. This vitamin is important for the formation and maintenance of new neurons and synapses, which are essential for memory and thinking.
  • Better heart health: Peanuts are a rich source of healthy fats, fibre, and minerals. These nutrients are important for healthy heart function and have been linked to lower rates of heart attack and stroke.
  • Weight management: Peanuts are a great snack option for those looking to lose weight since they are low in calories and contain no added sugars. Eating a handful of peanuts each day may help reduce weight gain.
  • Improved bone health: The minerals in peanuts, especially calcium and magnesium, are important for bone health. Studies have found that regular peanut consumption may help improve bone health.

 

How to Enjoy More Peanut Goodness?

  • Add peanuts to your peanut butter sandwich and eat it with an apple.
  • Add peanuts to your morning smoothie.
  • Use peanuts in your salad with toasted coconut and almonds.
  • Add peanuts to your soup and stew.
  • Coat veggies with peanuts for a delicious and nutritious snack.
  • Place peanuts in your trail mix for a protein punch.

How To Buy Peanuts Online In the UK?

 Peanuts are available in a range of flavours to make incorporating them into your daily diet easier. You can eat them raw or blanched. We also offer red skin mini peanuts, which after toasting are smaller and more flavorful. Honey peanutscaramelized peanuts, and honey chilli coatings are available if you prefer sweet treats. We also use salt to make them in a unique Mediterranean way. You can also go through our full variety of peanut snacks here.

 

Summary

Peanuts are a delicious, healthy snack. They are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. They can also protect against cognitive decline and dementia. Peanuts are a great source of vitamin E, which is important for cognitive health and can help improve memory and concentration. To get all these benefits, simply add peanuts to your diet and enjoy more peanut goodness! If you love peanuts and want to enjoy more of their benefits, there’s no need to stop eating them. You can also apply them to your skin and hair to enjoy one more way they can help your body.

 

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published