What are pecans good for and how to use them? Guide to nuts

They are pleasantly sweet, may resemble walnuts at first glance and come from the south of the United States, where they are made into an iconic holiday pie. You know what we're talking about? Pecans, of course. Although they are used in a variety of different sweets, they are incredibly healthy in their own right and should definitely not be missing from your diet. We'll take a look at what their benefits are and why you should use them in our article today.

Article content:

• What are pecans?
• What are the benefits of pecans?
• What are the benefits of pecans?

What are pecans?

Pecans are the fruit of the pecan tree, a large tree that grows in almost every southern state in the United States (Texas is a common producer). This tree can grow up to 50 metres tall and can take hundreds of years to grow. Although the fruit of the pecan tree is commonly called a pecan, it is really a drupe, which is an oval-shaped stone that must first be shelled to get to the seed. But that doesn't change the fact that pecans are an incredibly nutritious food. For example, LifeLike's pecans contain in 100 grams:

In addition to these macronutrients, we also find a number of micronutrients in these nuts - vitamins A, B, C and E, minerals such as magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as a number of other substances are represented.

Pecans are a rich source of fat, protein and vitamins A, B, C and E.

What are the benefits of pecans?

Pecans are packed with a variety of the nutrients mentioned above. And they are also responsible for the vast majority of the health benefits that regular consumption of these nuts brings:

They contain heart-healthy substances

Although it may not seem like it at first glance, pecans contain several substances that are essential for a healthy heart. First and foremost, of course, are monounsaturated fatty acids, which have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol. Lower levels of this "harmful" cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, we write about this in more detail in a separate article. In addition to healthy fats, nuts also contain a number of micronutrients beneficial for the heart, primarily calcium, magnesium or potassium, which are associated with optimal blood pressure.

Contain substances with anti-inflammatory effect

However, pecans also contain a number of substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect. These are primarily omega 3s, which we have also discussed in detail throughout this article. Simply put, you should know that these are recommended for their anti-inflammatory properties, for example in arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. Vitamin E, zinc and other minerals that pecans naturally contain have a similar effect.

Although at first glance the pecan fruit may not look very appealing, it tastes delicious.

They add a whole host of neglected nutrients

In addition to the vitamins and minerals mentioned above, pecans are packed with other substances that are not well represented in our current diets. Typical examples include manganese, which has significant antioxidant properties and is important for proper nerve function. In addition, they contain an amino acid called l-arginine, which is good for proper hair growth, or folate, which affects the quality of our skin.

How to include pecans in your diet?

As you can see, the many substances that pecans contain really offer a lot of health benefits and it is therefore a good idea to consume them at least from time to time. But how do you incorporate them into your diet? Since they don't take up much space, but are nutritious, they are perfect for longer sporting events or longer hikes. You can also use them in various fitness cakes (the American pecan pie is typical), no-bake and baked recipes or just eat them on their own. Blending them in a blender can then create a delicious nut butter that can be added to porridge or perhaps spread on baked goods. There are simply no limits to your imagination in this respect.

Pecan pie is iconic and can also be baked in a healthier version. You will find plenty of recipes.

What to take away from today's article?

The main thing you should take away from today's article is that although pecans are commonly thought of as nuts, they are actually more like stone nuts. Nevertheless, they are extremely loaded with healthy fats, fiber, protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. This has a number of positive effects on our health - eating pecans regularly can do something for your heart, reduce inflammation in the body and improve skin quality. And yet, it's extremely easy to incorporate them into your diet. In our shop you can find both smaller packs from Country Life and a quarter-pack of delicious pecans from LifeLike. A large selection of all other nuts and seeds can be found in our separate web category called Nuts.