Daily Peanut Consumption Does Not Lead to Weight Gain, New Study Finds

Fat to Fit the Healthy Mag gained firsthand insights into new findings presented by researchers from Loma Linda University at Nutrition 2025.

Orlando, June 2025 — A new randomized controlled trial led by Sapna Perumemba, with Rose-Ann Francis, Sujatha Rajaram, and Joan Sabaté from the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University, challenges the widespread belief that peanuts contribute to weight gain due to their energy density.

The 3-month feeding trial involved 80 adults aged 18–70, randomly assigned to consume either 2 oz of peanuts daily or to avoid peanuts and peanut butter altogether. At the end of the study, researchers found no significant differences in body weight, BMI, total caloric intake, or total/regional body fat between the groups.

“These findings highlight that regular peanut consumption does not cause weight gain or increased energy intake,” the authors stated. “In fact, peanuts can be part of a healthy, balanced diet—even in individuals with free-living dietary habits.”

The study was part of the Peanut Intervention for Cardiometabolic Trial, and was partially funded by The Peanut Institute.

Fat to Fit the Healthy Mag spoke with the research team at Nutrition 2025 and underscores the relevance of these results for individuals following low-carb or high-fat diets, where nuts and seeds are essential sources of healthy fats and satiety.