It is recognised that consuming peanuts exerts a positive influence on the sense of satiety. A current study has examined the acute effect of peanuts versus cereal bars on post-prandial (after meal) satiety and blood glucose in healthy adults. Similarly, the long-term effect of these meal pre-loads on body mass in healthy, overweight adults was determined.

A total of 15 healthy subjects, aged between 20 and 58 years and with an average BMI* of 23.1 kg/m², participated in a crossover study. Sixty minutes after pre-loading with peanuts (23 g; 140 kcal) or cereal bars (140 kcal) accompanied by water, or water alone, all the subjects ate a standardised meal. Satiety and blood glucose were measured and assessed immediately prior to meal-pre-loading, during the test meal and two hours after meals at 30-minute intervals. In parallel, a randomised study was carried out (number of subjects = 44; average age = 40.5 years; average BMI = 31.8 kg/m2). Over a period of eight weeks, the subjects were required to consume peanuts or a cereal bar as a meal pre-load an hour prior to their evening meal. Body mass was measured at two-week intervals. Additionally, energy intake was assessed using three-day weight logs (records of dietary intake) prior to the study, after one week and after eight weeks.

The results of the study show that the consumption of cereal bars resulted in greater satiety in the post-prandial phase compared with the consumption of peanuts or increased water intake. Total blood glucose did not vary between the different groups in the post-prandial phase. During the eight-week study, the subjects who consumed cereal bars lost more weight than did those who ate the peanut bars (-1.3 versus -0.2 kg).

In summary, it can be stated that not only does isoenergetic pre-loading with peanuts exert a positive influence, but also that the consumption of carbohydrates prior to a meal significantly enhances post-prandial satiety and weight loss. The results suggest that both nuts and cereal bars may be used in weight management.

*BMI = body mass index

Source:

Johnston CS, Trier CM and Fleming KR (2013): The effect of peanut and grain bar preloads on postmeal satiety, glycemia, and weight loss in healthy individuals: an acute and a chronic randomized intervention trial. Nutrition Journal, 12:35,