It turns out that one of the simplest snacks can affect lifespan. Spanish scientists studied how daily consumption of peanuts and peanut butter affects telomeres - the end sections of chromosomes that shorten with age and are associated with the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The study, published in the journal Antioxidants , involved 58 people who were divided into three groups. The first group ate 25 grams of roasted peanuts daily, the second group ate 32 grams of peanut butter, and the third group received a control butter. Other foods that can affect telomeres (nuts, grapes, dark chocolate, wine) were prohibited from the participants.
After three months, the group that consumed whole peanuts experienced telomere lengthening. The peanut butter group had no positive effect, and 22% even experienced accelerated telomere shortening.
The scientists explain the difference by saying that whole peanuts promote the formation of short-chain fatty acids in the gut. They reduce cortisol levels and biomarkers of depression, which supports cellular health. “These results highlight the importance of eating whole foods over processed foods,” the authors note.
However, the researchers note limitations of the study: the small number of participants and the short duration of observation. Telomere changes occur slowly, so longer studies are needed to confirm the results.
Regular consumption of nuts, including peanuts, has been shown to reduce insulin levels and belly fat, but it's important to remember that more than six million Americans are allergic to peanuts and cannot reap these benefits.
