Pecan nuts, relatively uncommon in our country, come from the lands of North America and Mexico. These exotic tree nuts come in many varieties and are not just tasty, but also a powerhouse of energy and nutrition and full of good food value and benefits for your body.

Intrigued? Click here to discover the wonderful impacts of eating pecans regularly.

Pecan nuts contain a wide range of nutrients like fiber, protein, fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6, minerals like manganese, copper, magnesium and iron, and compounds like carotene, crypto-xanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin.  While it is true that these nuts have a high fat content, these fats are of the healthy kind and are essential for the proper functioning of your body. These large buttery nuts can be eaten raw, roasted or used as an ingredient in various food preparations.

Like other members of the nut family, pecan nuts have beneficial effects on your body, mind and soul. Some of them include:

1. Reducing the Risk of Cancer

Pecan nuts, like olive oil, contain a fatty acid called oleic acid that is said to prevent irregular formation of breast cancer cells, thereby preventing the occurrence of breast cancer, especially in post-menopausal women who are most susceptible to this disease.

2. Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes

While many people dismiss pecan nuts thinking them to be high in fats, these are actually good for your body as they help in bodily functions and are necessary for the healthy functioning of your heart. The antioxidants in these nuts work to keep your blood clean and your heart pumping efficiently. The magnesium content in pecan nuts works on lowering your blood pressure levels. All these beneficial actions help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

4. Helping Your Digestion Function

Being an excellent source of fiber, pecan nuts are a blessing for your digestion function as they help your food move through your digestive tract, harmonize your stomach and help eliminate waste and toxins from your body easily. Since they work on keeping your colon clean, they prevent colon cancer.

5. Keeping Your Bones Healthy and Maintaining Oral Health

Pecan nuts contain calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for keeping your bones and teeth healthy. They also help in your body’s healing process and relive you from chronic aches and pains. Also, the antioxidants in these nuts flush out harmful chemicals and toxins preventing them from impacting your joints and limbs.

In addition, pecan nuts, due to their high fiber content, help you shed excess weight since they fill you up quickly and keep you full for a long time, reducing your calorie intake and acting as a natural appetite suppressant without any side effects. The are also highly recommended for those suffering from anemia due to their high iron content and can even be used as a preventive measure against this disease. The carotene in pecan nuts combined with the antioxidants makes them fantastic food for your eyes, keeping them healthy and preventing problems ranging from dryness and itchiness to loss of vision, cataracts and age related macular degeneration.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and grab a handful of pecans and munch your way to health and wellness. Or you could even enjoy their benefits by using them in any or all of the following ways:

1. Sprinkle them on the top of cakes or pies before popping them into the oven to get a crisp crunchy coating.
2. Add some to your smoothie while blending for a richer texture and enhanced nutrition.
3. Use pecan nuts to prepare salad dressings and other sauces like pesto and vinaigrette.

4. Eat pecan nuts Mediterranean style by tossing them with figs, cheese, olive oil and greens for a healthy salad.
5. Add some to your baked goodies like buns, muffins and breads.