Peanut Butter and Brain Health

Sponsor
Penn State University
Study ID
NCT07774546
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Healthy Aging
  • Middle-aged and Older Adults

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
45 Years - 75 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Peanut butter — OTHER
    Study participants will receive daily 45 g of peanut butter for 16 weeks.

Study Details

Healthy foods, including peanuts, may improve brain function, which is essential for cognitive and metabolic health, and may contribute to improved food intake regulation. It is therefore important to investigate the specific effects of peanut butter on cerebral blood flow responses, as well as the potential associated functional benefits. The researchers hypothesize that long-term peanut butter consumption improves vascular function in the brain, thereby enhancing cognitive performance and appetite control in middle aged and older adults. Objective: The primary objectives are to investigate in middle aged and older men and women the effect of 16-week peanut butter consumption on brain vascular function, while we will also assess changes in cognitive performance and appetite-related brain reward activity (secondary objectives). Cerebral blood flow responses (brain vascular function) will be non-invasively quantified by the non-invasive gold standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL).Study design: This intervention study will have a randomized, controlled, cross-over design. The total study duration will be 40 weeks, including two 16-week interventions, separated by a washout period of at least 8 weeks. Study population: Forty-five middle-aged and older men and women (aged 45-75 years) without a history of cardiovascular diseases or complaints will participate. This population is expected to have a decreased cerebral blood flow at baseline and are also at increased risk of cognitive impairment, allowing for improvement by the intervention. Intervention: Study participants will receive, in random order, 45 g of peanut butter daily (peanut intervention) or no peanut butter (control) for a total of 16 weeks, separated by a wash-out period of at least 8 weeks. Main study parameters/endpoints: At baseline, first anthropometric measurements will be performed and blood pressure will be determined. In addition, a fasting blood sample will be drawn. Another fasting blood sample will be drawn at eight weeks, while participants have to attend the research facilities to perform follow-up measurements after sixteen weeks. The primary endpoint is the difference at follow-up in the cerebral blood flow response between peanut butter intervention and control periods. Cognitive performance will be assessed, while the researchers will also focus on appetite-related brain reward activity (secondary outcomes).

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 19, 2026
Start date
Sep 30, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2028
Completion
Jul 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
45 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION

Arms

  • Experimental: Peanut butter
    Study participants will receive daily 45 g of peanut butter during the 16-week intervention period.
  • No Intervention: Control
    Study participants will not consume the study peanut butter during the 16-week control period.

Primary Outcome Measure

Cerebral blood flow by pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging [ Time Frame: At the end of both the 16-week peanut butter intervention and the 16-week control periods. ]

Central Contacts

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