Effects of daily consumption of one or varied peanut flavors on acceptance and intake

• Compliance to recommended daily consumption of peanuts was high.
• Liking of peanuts was high for the duration of the trial.
• The peanut flavor consumed had a weak effect on compliance to the protocol.
• Neither compliance nor liking of peanuts during the trial was affected by variety.
• Both compliance and liking were affected by sex.

To realize the health benefits associated with peanut consumption, it is important that they remain acceptable with regular intake. Peanuts are marketed with various flavorings so that consumers will not become fatigued by frequent consumption of any single flavor. This study sought to determine whether liking of peanuts or compliance to a peanut feeding intervention would differ based on receiving an individual flavor or a variety of flavors. Participants (n = 151) were directed to consume 42 g peanuts/d for 12 weeks as 14-g servings of 3 different flavors (n = 50) or a single flavor (n = 25–26/group). The trial was randomized, with a parallel-group design. Neither the peanut flavor consumed nor the presence of variety had an impact on liking of the peanuts or compliance with the study protocol (p > 0.05). Men had significantly greater compliance and liking ratings than women (p < 0.05), but liking declines did not differ based on sex. Eating attitudes and dietary restraint did not correlate with liking or compliance. Peanuts were generally well-liked in the study, with a mean liking of 69 on a 100-mm visual analogue scale and a decrease of less than 15% over 12 weeks. Overall compliance to the protocol was 96.9%, suggesting participants were able to incorporate peanuts into their diet on a daily basis. These findings suggest a recommendation to regularly consume peanuts would be well-tolerated, facilitating their contribution to a healthy diet. The study was conducted between February 2010 and May 2012 at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01886326.