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Pecans are known for their delicious, sweet, nutty flavor, but did you know they are extremely good for your health? The nuts are great for snacking, desserts, and meals and eating them on a regular basis can improve many aspects of your health.
Green Med Info Research Group explains pecans have, “protein, fiber, healthy fats and more than 19 vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and E, B vitamins, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.” They are a complete nutrition package that will help satisfy and nourish you. The high zinc content makes them beneficial for overall immunity. They’re also high in manganese and copper, which have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce high blood pressure.
Did you know pecans have the highest antioxidant content of all tree nuts? They are packed with flavonoids which is a type of antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. These flavonoids help protect against many diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and cognitive impairments. “A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that eating tree nuts is associated with a lower risk of cancer incidence and mortality.” Eating pecans may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels because they are low in sugar.
Studies have shown eating pecans can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and therefore they are a heart healthy food. LDL cholesterol decreases, while the good cholesterol, HDL, increases when pecans are added to the diet. They can also help you maintain a healthy weight because they will keep you full so you’re not reaching for less healthy options.
Jaclyn London of Good Housekeeping shares how pecan consumption may help with cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia because of their high Vitamin E content. “That’s because vitamin E and other antioxidants in plant-based foods help reduce oxidative stress caused by inflammation, protecting cells and therefore tissues of vital organs like your brain.”
As you can see, there are many reasons to eat pecans often. Their health benefits are extensive and they add a nice crunch to just about any meal or dessert.
