Pecans-Benefits

Pecan Nuts Health Benefits and Nutrition Facts

Pecan nuts come from Pecan trees that usually grow in groves. These trees are abundant near lakes and rivers where water periodically overflows. According to researches, pecans have existed long time ago. America’s original settlers were Indians and these inhabitants grew pecan trees. Even before Europeans arrived in America, the Indians have already been gathering pecan nuts.

Pecan trees can be considered as a native of the US. The shape of the nuts can vary. You can find skinny and long nuts, as well as oval-shaped ones. The nuts are delicious, with rich buttery flavor. In comparison to other nuts, pecan nuts offer plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

The pecan tree belongs to the hickory family and is quite large. In the US, this is a vital commercial crop, but the trees are already cultivated all over the world. The most popular species of the pecan tree are the Moreland, Elliot, and Cape fear. It is said that these nuts are actually considered as drupe and not nuts
 he pecan nuts offer plenty of health benefits.

For every 100 grams, you can get 690 calories thereby making the nuts a great energy source. The nuts also include oleic acid. With regular consumption of the nuts, you have a better chance of increasing good cholesterol or HDL. A diet that includes nuts will provide you body with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and monounsaturated fats. This will allow you to fight strokes and coronary diseases.

Aside from being a good energy source, pecan nuts can also provide you with beta carotene, ellagic acid, zeaxanthin, lutein, and vitamin E. Your body can fight infections and wash out free radicals or toxins. The nuts also contain B vitamins like folate, B6, thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin, as well as minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and manganese.

Many vegetarians love pecan nuts because a handful will provide you with lots of nutrients. Even if you don’t eat meat or other protein-rich foods, your body will have adequate energy. You can check out the many pecan nut recipes that vegans love to cook. There are cookbooks, as well as free recipes online that you can download.

Pecan nuts have many culinary uses. You can eat the nuts raw. You can even have the nuts sweetened or salted depending on your personal taste. Because of the high fats and sweet taste of the nuts, it is great for making muffins, baklava, fudge, pie, and caramel puddles. The nuts can also be sprinkled over ice creams and sundaes. Lots of cakes, sweets, and biscuits taste better with the nuts added as confectionary. The nuts can also made into peanut butter that you can spread over toasts and breads.

Pecan nuts these days are widely available. You can find the nuts all over the world. All you have to do is check out the local grocery store and purchase the pecan nuts that you need. The nuts are quite affordable and you can make a lot of things out of the nuts.