A new study published in the Journal of Cachexia tested whether daily peanut butter consumption could improve physical function in older adults.
A total of 120 people aged over 65 participated in the study. All were at risk of falling.
Half of them ate 43 grams of peanut butter every day for six months. The rest continued with their usual diet.
Chair test
The primary measurement was how quickly participants could walk four meters. After six months, there was no difference between the groups.
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However, researchers also conducted another test. Participants were asked to stand up from a chair and sit down again five times as quickly as possible.
In this test, the time decreased by an average of 1.2 seconds in the group that ate peanut butter. Their muscle strength also increased slightly.
Muscle strength is important in daily life. It is used, for example, when getting up from a chair or climbing stairs.
Improvements
Muscle mass and strength decline with age, especially after 65. A protein-rich diet may help support muscle health.
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In the study, participants did not gain weight, even though they consumed extra energy and protein from peanut butter.
The researchers note that several factors may have influenced the results. Participants already had a relatively high protein intake and fairly good physical function at the start of the study.
Overall, peanut butter did not improve walking speed but led to a modest improvement in a muscle strength test. Whether this has long-term significance remains unclear.
Sources: News Medical, and Journal of Cachexia.
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