Raw Organic Pecans

          Pecan This for Great Flavor, Texture, Nutrition and Health

 

Pecans are one of the most popular types of nuts in the world, produced by a species of hickory trees native to northern Mexico and the southern United States. They are popular for their sweet flavor and slightly chewy texture, making them perfect for both savory and sweet dishes.  Pecans are also nutritional powerhouses loaded with vitamins, minerals, monounsaturated fats, and antioxidants. 

At Northwest Wild Foods we work hard to establish strong relationships with small family-run farm operations here in the USA, and our raw organically grown pecans come from just such a family-run farm in the southern United States.

While pecans are popularly enjoyed as pecan pie, a classic American dish favored during Thanksgiving and Christmas, their contour, crunchy texture and buttery flavor make for a transformative ingredient in a number of other dishes, including appetizers, desserts, and main dishes alike. Pecans can be enjoyed as a topping on pie or sweet potatoes, or they can add crunch to a stir-fry or salad. You can even add a crumbly pecan topping the next time you bake a coffee cake or add it to a batch of cookies. Of course, raw organic pecans alone have such a rich and nutty flavor that they are a delicious and healthy snack straight out of the bag.

Nutritional Value of these Delicious Nutritious Pecans

Pecans rank among the top 15 foods with the highest levels of antioxidants according to the USDA. In fact, pecans have the highest antioxidant capacity of any tree nut.

Pecans are rich in many vitamins and minerals important for healthy skin, eyes, teeth, bones, muscles, and nerves. These include vitamins A, B, and E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, selenium, and zinc.

Monounsaturated fats comprise seventy percent of the pecan, the highest of all nuts consumed.  Diets high in monounsaturated fats, like the Mediterranean diet, consider pecans an integral part of daily nutrition for control of hypertension and preventing or moderating cardiovascular disease

However, that's not all: an ounce of pecans (about a handful) provides about 10 percent of the Daily Recommended fiber intake. They are also sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and low in carbohydrates.

Pecans are also a great source of plant-based protein. 

One ounce (28 grams) of pecans contains the following nutrients:

Calories: 196

Protein: 2.5 grams

Fat: 20.5 grams

Carbs: 4 grams

Fiber: 2.7 grams

Copper: 38% of the Daily Value (DV)

Thiamine (vitamin B1): 16% of the DV

Zinc: 12% of the DV

Magnesium: 8% of the DV

Phosphorus: 6% of the DV

Iron: 4% of the DV

 

The mineral content of pecans provides benefits in so many ways:

Copper is involved in nerve cell function, immune health, and the production of red blood cells.

Thiamine, or Vitamin B1, is essential for converting carbohydrates into energy to help fuel the body.

Zinc is necessary for immune function, as well as cell growth, brain function, and wound healing.

The magnesium, calcium, fiber, vitamin E, and zinc in pecans also provide anti-inflammatory properties.

Since raw pecans contain no sodium, adding them to the diet will help people with high blood pressure control their overall sodium intake.

Perhaps the numerous health benefits realized from eating pecans is one of the reasons that the hickory tree producing pecans is also the State Tree of Texas!

 

The Many Health Benefits of Pecans 

Improves Heart Health

Research shows that an increased intake of tree nuts, including pecans, is linked to reduced levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.  This is because pecans are a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids, a type of fat beneficial for heart health. 

Promote Effective Weight Loss.

The fatty acids and healthy fats supplied by pecans are important for weight loss. These healthy fats signal to the grehlin hormone that the body is full and satisfied.

Better Management of Diabetes 

Pecans have a very low glycemic index, which means that eating them does not cause a spike in blood sugar, even in people with diabetes. Eating pecans may offset the effects of higher glycemic index foods when eaten as part of the same meal.  A key factor is that the water-soluble fiber contained within pecans slows the absorption of sugar into the blood.

One small study with overweight adults found that eating a pecan-rich diet for 4 weeks improved the body’s ability to use insulin effectively. This resulted in an improved glycemic response and lowered HbA1c levels.

Promotes Brain Function

Pecans are brimming with nutrients that may benefit brain function, including mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids, in particular, have been linked to a decreased mental decline and reduced inflammation. 

Meanwhile, thiamine and copper found in pecans work together to stop free radical damage in the brain and can delay the rapid onset of Parkinson's disease.

Manganese acts to stabilize the brain's synaptic process. Mood swings, learning disabilities, and epilepsy are affected by low manganese levels, making pecans superb brain food. In fact, a large study in over 15,000 women lasting over 40 years linked a higher consumption of pecan nuts with improved long-term cognition.

High Antioxidant Levels: Disease Prevention

As a rich source of antioxidants, adding pecans to your diet will prevent oxidative stress and its harmful effects. Oxidative stress is a factor in developing cancer and diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, heart failure, Chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression.

Breast Cancer Prevention. 

Oleic acid, found in abundance in pecans, has been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Arthritis Relief

Pecans also contain Omega-3 fats, which can help ease the pain of arthritis by reducing inflammation. The magnesium, calcium, fiber, vitamin E, and zinc in pecans also give the nuts anti-inflammatory properties.

Bone Health

The phosphorus and calcium in pecans aid in the maintenance of bone health. Our bones consist of approximately 85% phosphorus, the rest of which is found in the tissues and cells. Eating pecans helps prevent the symptoms of osteoporosis, particularly in women. Thus, a diet that includes pecans is great for improving bone mineral density and (as an added bonus) prevent muscle pain and cramping from exercise.

Skin Care

Pecans contain nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and Ellagic acid, which prevent premature aging and reduce the occurrence of wrinkles. In addition, the zinc content in these nuts helps achieve a toned complexion. 

Eye Care

Vitamin E-rich pecan nuts are a great addition to the diet. They are often associated with reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration, thus keeping the eyes healthy even while you are aging. These nuts are also recommended for preventing the occurrence of cataracts. 

Hair Care

Pecan nuts are widely used to treat male pattern baldness. The L-arginine, an amino acid in these nuts is a compound that increases blood circulation throughout the body, thereby strengthening the roots of the hair. Also, the presence of iron prevents anemia and consequently, hair loss.

Superfood in a Nutshell 

Whether eaten on their own, or added to salads, ice cream, pies or as praline candy, pecans are a flavorful and nutritious addition to your diet.

They are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that will benefit your health and add joy to your life.  So why wait?  Northwestern Wild Foods offers you the best of the best: raw organically grown pecans ready for your enjoyment.

References Used for Article on Raw Organic Pecans     

https://nwwildfoods.com/collections/organic-nuts/products/raw-organic-pecans?variant=44392879423772

 

https://www.wideopencountry.com/health-benefits-pecans/

 

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/why-pecan-nuts-are-good-for-you-and-how-to-eat-them-1262183

 

https://www.nutritionadvance.com/pecan-nutrition-benefits/

 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-pecans-good-for-you#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

 

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a47166/health-benefits-of-pecans/

 

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pecans

 

https://www.organicfacts.net/pecans.html