Looking to boost your fitness? Eat this snack!

DALLAS (KDAF) — Summer is in full swing, and with the Olympics heating up, it’s the perfect time to get inspired to eat healthy and work out. Plus, with fall sports just around the corner, it’s time to get game-ready!

Peanuts are your new workout BFF. Packed with 19 vitamins and minerals, they’re a great snack to power your workout and aid muscle recovery. The Peanut Institute reveals how these tiny powerhouses can boost your fitness game, whether you’re a weekend warrior, a student athlete, or just looking to tone up.

Lean Body Mass: A 2024 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that adding peanuts or peanut butter to your diet, combined with resistance training, can improve lean body mass.

Muscle Growth: A study conducted in 2021 by Auburn University showed that older adults who included peanut powder in their workouts saw significant muscle growth and strength gains.

Increased Endurance: Research from 2022 and a 2023 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients found that peanuts can improve endurance and reduce post-exercise fatigue by lowering oxidative stress.

Weight Management: Other studies have found that eating peanuts and peanut butter regularly does not lead to total weight gain6. One possible reason is that peanuts promote satiety7. Peanuts are high in three macronutrients – protein, fiber and healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – that can deliver a feeling of fullness. Peanut consumption has also been associated with a reduced risk of long-term obesity.

Research conducted by the University of South Australia and published online in Nutrients found daily consumption of lightly salted peanuts twice a day before meals led to weight loss , lowered blood pressure and improved fasting glucose levels.

“Just a small amount of peanuts or peanut butter incorporated into a daily diet can have a significant impact,” says Dr. Samara Sterling, a nutrition scientist and research director for The Peanut Institute. They’re portable, inexpensive, and perfect for on-the-go snacking!

For more health tips and peanut power, visit PeanutInstitute.com and follow them on social media. Get ready to crush your fitness goals with peanuts!

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