Key Findings: The bioactive compounds included in many plant foods, like peanuts, include antioxidants, polyphenols, and unsaturated fatty acids. Animal studies have shown that these compounds enhance neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival to support brain health. Feeding studies in humans have shown that plant foods, including nuts, improve cognition through frontal executive function. More research is still needed to compare the health benefits of plant-exclusive diets vs. plant-centered diets that include fish and/or small amounts of animal foods.
