The study, published last month in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, followed 120 older adults who were living alone and at risk of falls.<\/p>\n
Ancient Berry May Improve Blood Vessel Function \u2014 Most People Overlook It In The Freezer Aisle<\/a><\/p>\n While walking speed did not improve, those who ate natural peanut butter were able to sit and stand up from a chair five times in a row at a rate of about 1.2 seconds faster than those who did not.<\/p>\n “In this trial, we measured different aspects or dimensions of physical function, such as mobility, balance, muscle power and muscle endurance<\/a>,” lead researcher Dr. Sze-Yen Tan, associate professor of nutrition at Deakin University\u2019s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n Read On The Fox News App<\/a><\/p>\n Eating about three tablespoons of peanut butter daily may help boost muscle power in older adults, a new study suggests.<\/p>\n (iStock)<\/p>\n “Peanut butter intervention had a positive effect on muscle power,<\/a> which is important for activities such as getting out of a chair and climbing the stairs \u2014 but it did not help older people walk faster,” Tan said.<\/p>\n The five-times sit-to-stand test is an indicator of lower-body muscle power and functional independence, according to the researchers.<\/p>\n Jet-black Caf\u00e9 Trend Sweeps America As Experts Share Health Benefits Behind The Hype<\/a><\/p>\n “An improvement of 1.23 seconds may appear to be small, but previous studies suggest that a difference of 1 second is clinically meaningful and can potentially be associated with lower physical disability in the future,” Tan said.<\/p>\n Muscle power \u2014 the ability to generate force quickly \u2014 is especially important for preventing falls, experts say.<\/p>\n Faster chair-rise times may reflect improved lower-body muscle power, experts say.<\/p>\n “Many real-world tasks that prevent falls, such as catching oneself during a trip or rising quickly from a chair, depend heavily on rapid force production,” said Dr. Sam Setareh, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; he was not involved in the research.<\/p>\n Click Here To Sign Up For Our Lifestyle Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n Participants in the peanut butter group also increased their protein and healthy fat intake<\/a> without gaining weight over the six-month period.<\/p>\n Despite the encouraging results,<\/a> Setareh cautioned that the improvement is modest.<\/p>\n Improved muscle power can help with everyday tasks such as climbing stairs and getting out of a chair.<\/p>\n “A change of this magnitude is small, but potentially relevant,” he said. “From a clinical standpoint, it is encouraging but not practice-changing.”<\/p>\n The study did not measure actual fall rates, fractures or hospitalizations, and found no improvements in overall strength.<\/p>\n Click Here For More Lifestyle Stories<\/a><\/p>\n Researchers say further studies are needed<\/a> to determine whether the improvements in muscle power translate into fewer falls, and whether frailer or protein-deficient seniors might see greater benefits.<\/p>\n Tan emphasized that peanut butter should not be viewed as a cure-all.<\/p>\n Peanut butter is an affordable and familiar pantry staple for many adults, experts note.<\/p>\n “Eating 43 grams per day over six months was found to be effective in increasing protein intake and better muscle power,” she said. “It can be part of the habitual diets of older adults.”<\/a><\/p>\n Test Yourself With Our Latest Lifestyle Quiz<\/a><\/p>\n Peanut butter is an affordable and familiar option for most older adults, she noted, and can be easy to eat for those with dental issues.<\/p>\n However, pairing protein intake<\/a> with resistance and balance training is critical, Setareh added.<\/p>\n Experts caution that eating peanut butter is not a cure-all \u2014 and that it should be paired with resistance training.<\/p>\n “The optimal strategy for fall prevention combines adequate protein intake with progressive resistance and balance training,” he said.<\/p>\n![\"Happy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/d5656145dacbd27427e1d501b00181a8.jpeg\"\/)
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