As you may know, eating nuts can be very good for your health. But what about specific types of nuts? For example, are pecan nuts good for your health?
The Lowdown on Pecan Nuts
Pecan nuts are perhaps the most delicious nuts out there. It is thus no wonder that so many people eat them. But are pecan nuts good for your health? That’s what a recent study set out to discover.
Earlier studies have shown that a high intake of nuts can reduce the risk of heart disease. The authors of this study thus focused on possible heart health benefits of pecan nuts.
Studying a group of 26 participants, they found that the addition of pecans to their diet resulted in an improved insulin sensitivity. This is very important, as it could help prevent type 2 diabetes in people who are at risk of this condition. The authors also noted other related benefits, like an improved function of beta cells.
Why Are Pecan Nuts Good for Your Health?
There are several reasons why pecan nuts can achieve this effect. For one, they are a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Both these types of fat are a healthy alternative to saturated fats, which are a large part of a standard Western diet.
This could explain why replacing them with the healthy fats found in pecans may improve some heart health markers. On top of that, pecans also contain lots of vitamins that can boost your immune system.
The Takeaway
The authors argue that eating just a handful of pecans a day can improve a person’s health. According to them, this is especially true of people who have a higher risk of heart disease. But it’s important to remember that this was a very small-scale study. As such, there’s need for further research before we can say for sure that pecans are good for your health.
