The Benefits of Pecans

Whoever said that eating roasted pecans was unhealthy is nuts. There are plenty of studies about the health benefits one could get from eating different preparations of these fruits.

Roasted pecans are consumed for many reasons. Sometimes, they are used as ingredients in main dishes and desserts. Oftentimes, these are taken as a snack. These are very filling nuts. Since a great portion of pecans is composed of fiber that can not be broken down by the body, pecans stay longer in the gut. As a result, one feels fuller for a longer time. The low sodium content of pecan nuts makes them a great treat not only for the palate but for the body as well. It has been proven that high sodium can cause renal problems. When one has renal problems, things easily get complicated. Kidney problems cause liver damage and mental deterioration. Symptoms can include irritability, sleepiness and sluggishness of thought processes. Sodium is also one cause of water retention. This causes the body to bloat. A diet rich in nuts like pecans can actually lower the possibility of developing gallstones in women. So, one advantage of roasted pecans or pecan nuts in general is that it is a filling snack that is not hard on your body.

Like most nuts, pecans are also a good source of proteins. From our grade school days, we have been taught the importance of protein in our diet. Remember your “grow foods?” Well, proteins help in the development of our physical systems. Eating roasted pecans can thus help build muscle and rejuvenate skin and hair.

Recent research shows that eating a handful of pecans can be good for the cardiovascular system. This is because pecans contain different forms of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that protects blood lipids from oxidation reactions which destroys different parts of the body little by little. It has also been found that pecans rank highest among nuts in antioxidant capacity because it contains ellagic acid and flavonoids aside from Vitamin E. This means that roasted pecans can actually lower the risk of coronary heart disease, cancer and neurological diseases. Pecans also contain plant sterol that lower cholesterol. When LDL becomes oxidized, the by-product builds up and causes clogged arteries.

Pecan nuts are a good source of unsaturated fats. Almost 60% of the fats found in pecans are monounsaturated and the remaining 30% are polyunsaturated. This means that there are very little saturated fats. Also, pecans do not have trans fats. If included in the diet, roasted pecans are good for the heart.

For the health buffs: pecan nuts have more than 19 vitamins and minerals. To name a few: vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. Also, an ounce of pecans gives 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance of fiber. Getting the right amount of fiber in the diet can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. But that’s not just it. Pecans contain very little carbohydrates and zero cholesterol. So if you’re a health buff, you might want to consider adding roasted pecans to your diet.

Reap the benefits of a complete and healthy diet. Get roasted pecans from Tanner’s Pecans and Candies.