The Power of the Pecan: 7 Health Benefits That Make This the Best Nut On Earth (2024)

FAQs

The Power of the Pecan: 7 Health Benefits That Make This the Best Nut On Earth? ›

Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for fiber¹.

Benefits of Pecans

Raw pecans pack a 1-2-3 punch of protein, healthy fats, and fiber that can help keep you energized and satisfied. Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat.

Improves heart health

Similarly, an older study in 19 people with normal cholesterol levels found that those eating 2.5 ounces (68 grams) of pecans each day had significantly lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol after 8 weeks, compared with those in a control group who didn't eat any nuts ( 7 ).

1. Almonds. Relatively low in calories, almonds are an excellent food for health due to their protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Heart Healthy

They found adding a handful of pecan nuts in your diet helps decrease LDL i.e. 'bad cholesterol', which in could turn prevent stroke and coronary artery disease.

Like many other nuts, pecans contain a high percentage of fat and can lead to diarrhea if too many are eaten in a short amount of time. Over-consumption may also lead to digestive issues like gas and bloating. Recommendation: One ounce (15-19) pecan halves per day.

These foods below will help you maximize your sleep. Try eating them at dinner or as an evening snack. Almonds, Pecans, & Walnuts – They contain Melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep cycles.

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.

Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.

Do pecans clean your colon? ›

Pecans Promote Digestive Health, Relieving Constipation

The fiber found in pecans help to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency.

Stimulates Hair Growth: Pecans contain a large amount of the amino acid L-arginine. L-arginine helps support blood flow to the roots of the hair, stimulating healthy growth. Makes Hair Shiny: One of the best ways to make your hair extra shiny is to include lots of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.

Pecans also play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease because they have an abundance of “good” heart healthy fats. These unsaturated fats can have a protective effect by lowering total blood cholesterol when eaten in moderation. Pecans contain no cholesterol and no trans-fat.

As you can see, walnuts and pecans are both winners in terms of nutritional value. While pecans have fewer calories and more fiber, walnuts offer a higher degree of protein. Whichever you choose, you'll enjoy heart-healthy nutrition with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healthy cholesterol properties.

According to researchers at Texas A&M University, pecans may help prevent obesity, reduce inflammation, and increase energy consumption; and together with their high nutrient content, these benefits put them in the superfood category.

Studies have shown that consuming adequate amounts of selenium is protective against prostate cancer. They are also high in healthy fat, protein, and trace minerals. 3. Pecans are a rich source of disease-fighting antioxidants and not just compared to other nuts.

The anti-inflammatory properties of pecans reduced low-grade inflammation that leads to chronic inflammation and the development of a range of prevalent diseases. This also shows pecans maintain body weight and prevent diabetes despite consuming a high fat diet.