Parilli-Moser I, Domínguez-López I, Trius-Soler M, et al. - According to this randomized controlled trial, regular consumption of peanuts and peanut butter may improve memory function and stress response in a healthy young population. Such effects appear to be linked to the consumption of peanut polyphenols, elevated levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and unexpectedly, very long chain saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs), all of which were present in the control product.

• For six months, 63 healthy young adults received 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 prepared from peanut oil (free of phenolic compounds and fiber) (CB, n = 19).

• When the two interventions were compared to the control, the SRP group showed a substantial reduction in anxiety scores when compared to the CB group.

• Consumers of SRP and PB exhibited enhanced immediate memory after the intervention.

• Lower anxiety scores were correlated with SRP and PB, whereas lower depression scores were related to SRP, PB and CB.

• Polyphenol intake, fecal SCFAs, plasma and fecal VLCSFAs were all found to be substantially linked to memory functions and stress response.