Nutty toast spread shown to improve vascular health

Peanuts are obtained from the leguminous plant Arachis hypogaea; they contain fatty acids, protein, fibre, and polyphenols. The nutrient-rich snack can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, according to research. The study, carried out by scientists at the University of Barcelona, included the participation of 63 healthy adults, aged between 18 to 33.

For six months, the participants included a daily portion of peanut products into their regular diet.

Professor Rosa Lamuela said: “In this study group, it is more difficult to see any effect of dietary changes on health.”

The professor at the faculty of pharmacy and food sciences revealed that participants who ate peanuts had a “significant increase in urinary levels of phenolic metabolites”.

This was in comparison to the control group, which had eaten cream without fibre or polyphenols.

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Patients should be invited at least every five years, with others requiring more regular monitoring.

If you would like support in leading a healthier lifestyle, it could be beneficial to talk to your healthcare team.

The research paper is published in the journal Antioxidants, and was carried out by the ARISTOTLE project.

The ARISTOTLE project is an initiative to analyse the prebiotic and postbiotic effects of consuming peanut products, promoted by The Peanut Institute (in the United States).