You may know the crunchy pecan as the star ingredient in that creamy pecan pie. But this buttery nut that pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory ingredients has much more to offer. Pecans are power-packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fats that can do you a world of good. Here’s a detailed look at why pecans should feature more prominently in your meals. These nuts:
Are A Nutritional Powerhouse
Pecans are dense in energy as well as nutrients. They contain protein, minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E.1 That’s a lot of goodness packed into a tiny nut! In fact, epidemiologic research has found that consuming about an ounce of pecans or other tree nuts makes a significant difference to the quality of diet of adults in the United States. Intake of nutrients like vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fiber in particular improves.2
Are Rich In Antioxidants
Pecans contain phenolic compounds like ellagic, protocatechuic, gallic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acids as well as catechins which are high in antioxidant capacity 3 Antioxidants help counter the effects of free radicals, created through the natural process of oxidation in our bodies. An overload of free radicals can damage cells and DNA and has been implicated in various conditions like certain cancers, liver disease, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Snacking on pecans can give you a dose of beneficial antioxidants to counter these illnesses.4
Can Lower Cholesterol
It is estimated that 33.5% of adults in America have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or bad cholesterol.5 But you may be able to lower your cholesterol levels by adding pecans to your diet. One study compared the effects of following a heart-friendly diet recommended by the American Heart Association with a pecan-enriched diet where all the components of the heart-friendly diet were proportionately reduced by a fifth and replaced by pecans. It was found that the pecan-enriched diet lowered total and LDL cholesterol by 6.7% and 10.4%, respectively, beyond what the heart-friendly diet was able to achieve. The rich reserves of monounsaturated fat found in pecan may be responsible for this beneficial effect.6
Are Good For Your Heart
Pecans can do your heart a world of good. Not only do they lower levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which can damage your heart and contribute to heart disease, but they can also reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is a significant step in the development of heart disease.7 8 In fact, research indicates that having about 15 grams of pecans or other nuts per day can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 24%.9 So snack on some delicious pecans to keep your heart healthy!
Can Control Blood Sugar
Eating pecans or other tree nuts can help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Research indicates that people who have about half a cup of these nuts in a day have lower levels of fasting blood sugar than those who don’t. Experts suggest that this beneficial effect may be due to magnesium or unsaturated fats present in pecans. The fact that pecans replaced blood sugar-spiking carbs in the diet may also have played a part.10
Help You Live A Longer, Healthier Life
All the benefits that pecans offer can actually translate into a longer and healthier life for you. One large study that looked at people over a 30-year period found various benefits of consuming pecans and other nuts. Those who had a handful of nuts daily had a 20% lower chance of dying from any cause when compared to those who didn’t. They were less likely to die from heart disease or cancer and also tended to be slimmer. So what are you waiting for? Pick up some pecans for your mid-morning snack today.11
Nosh On Pecans: Different Ways To Get Them In
Chomp down a handful of pecans daily. These make a tasty and convenient snack. You can also sprinkle some on yogurt or breakfast cereal. Or how about spreading a little pecan butter on a cracker or toast? They are also a great addition to stir fries and salads and can even be used to encrust chicken or fish.12
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