Support Your Brain with a Peanut-Powered Snack

Support Your Brain with a Peanut-Powered Snack

(Feature Impact) Young or old, all can benefit from giving the brain a healthy boost. Emerging nutritional science makes it clear that good cognitive function goes beyond mental exercises as food can help shape memory, mood and cognitive health.

A study published the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter. Additionally, research published in “Clinical Nutrition” highlighted a study of college students ages 18-33 which showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.

Peanut butter is the key ingredient in these Protein Balls, a snack time favorite with a pinch of protein that serves as a perfect pick-me-up after a day in the office or following your favorite workout routine.

Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:

• Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
• Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
• Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
• P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety

To find more ways to support your brain with the right nutrition, visit GAPeanuts.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Protein Balls

Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute

Servings: 24

• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cups quick oats
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
• 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
• 1/4 cup water

1. Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
2. Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.