The Impact of Peanut Intake on Mental Health, Stress, Sleep Quality, & Brain Activity: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blinded Clinical Trial

Summary

Study Summary: Peanuts, Stress, Sleep, and Cognitive Function Stress can affect how one thinks, concentrates, and performs everyday mental tasks. Diet may be one factor that influences cognitive function and the body's response to stress, but more research is needed to understand whether specific foods can support brain health and mental well-being. This study will investigate whether eating peanuts daily for eight weeks influences cognitive function, stress, and sleep in young adults who experience higher levels of daily stress. Researchers are particularly interested in understanding whether regular peanut consumption may influence how the brain responds to challenging tasks and how individuals perform on measures of cognitive function. Throughout the study, participants will complete assessments of their cognitive function, stress, and well-being. They will wear a wrist-worn device to monitor sleep patterns, heart rate, and daily activity and use a mobile app to complete daily brief questions on their current well-being. During study visits, participants will wear a comfortable, noninvasive device on their forehead that measures changes in blood flow in the brain while they complete tasks designed to assess cognitive function and responses to stress. Saliva samples will also be collected to measure biological markers associated with the body's stress response. By examining brain activity alongside measures of cognition, sleep, and stress, researchers hope to better understand the relationship between peanut consumption and brain health. This research may help clarify whether incorporating peanuts into the daily diet could influence cognitive performance and other aspects of mental well-being.

Description