Nuts are delicious and make for a healthy and nutritious snack as they are some of the most nutrient-dense nutritionally complete foods you can eat  According to research from the University of Wyoming, pecans are considered one of the most valuable North American nut species.

Another interesting fact, according to the experts at Nut Health, wild pecans were actually a staple in the diets of Native Americans. In fact, the name "pecan" is a Native American word of Algonquin origin used to describe "all nuts requiring a stone to crack. Pecan trees flourish  in warm climates with lots of sun, and well-nourished soil. And while pecan trees take almost 10 years to produce nuts , once they finally produce them, pecan trees can continue to produce nuts for 100 years or more!  

Jam-packed With Vitamins And Minerals

Nuts, especially pecans are extremely high in vitamins and minerals. Pecans contain a variety of nutrients including healthy fats dietary fibre, and protein. They are also high in copper, manganese, thiamin, and zinc.

Copper is an essential mineral involved in energy production and iron metabolism, while Manganese is a trace mineral that plays an important role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation. It's also necessary for normal brain and nerve function. Thiamin or vitamin b1 is essential to the growth, development, and function of cells, while zinc helps keep the body's immune system and metabolism functioning normally.

Good For Your Heart

According to the Mayo Clinic, eating nuts (including pecans) as part of a healthy diet can significantly increase your heart health as it may improve the health of the lining of your arteries and can help reduce the risk of developing blood clots. 

Pecans are high in monounsaturated fats which can improve your blood cholesterol by helping to lower your LDL. Keeping your LDL level low reduces your risk for heart disease and stroke.

High In Fibre

Pecans are a great source of fibre, providing three grams per ounce, or about 11% of the amount of fibre recommended each day. Ingesting adequate fibre and fluid every day will keep you regular and may also help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. 

A Great Source Of Protein

Pecans are also an excellent source of high-quality protein, providing three grams of protein per ounce. Plant-based protein sources are easier to digest, are less inflammatory, and contain more vitamins and minerals than their animal-based counterparts.

So the next time you are at the supermarket, be sure to grab yourself a bag of pecans! We enjoy eating them as a snack or tossed in a salad.

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