Pecan Store November 14th, 2009

I just found this fantastic article that breaks down all the nutrition you need to know about nuts. And the CNN.com article confirms what we’ve been saying all along - the pecan is one naturally nutritious nut! Here’s why:

• Unsaturated fats - It’s not entirely clear why, but it’s thought that the “good” fats in nuts - both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats - lower bad cholesterol levels.

• Omega-3 fatty acids - Many nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a healthy form of fatty acids that seem to help your heart by, among other things, preventing dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in many fish, but nuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
• L-arginine - Nuts also have lots of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.

• Fiber - All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full, so you’ll eat less later. Fiber is also thought to play a role in preventing diabetes.

• Vitamin E - Researchers still aren’t sure, but it’s thought that vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques in your arteries which can narrow them, leading to chest pain, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.

• Plant sterols - Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to products like margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.

There you have it! For more information on pecan nutrition, check out some of our older posts, or head on over to ILovePecans.org today.

photo credit: Zanastardust

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