Pecans a Natural Medicine in Disease Prevention

Researchers at Loma Linda University in California, has shown that the antioxidants that occur naturally in pecans may help in the prevention of heart disease and other diseases. The published findings appear in the January 2011 issue Journal of Nutrition.

Pecans contain other forms of the antioxidant vitamin E along with numerous phenolic substances many of them containing antioxidant abilities. Pecans are extremely abundant in the form of vitamin E referred to as gamma tocopherols. The studies findings had demonstrated after the consumption of pecans these gamma tocopherols levels in the body doubled and the bad cholesterol in the body had decreased up to as much as 33%.

Dr. Ella Haddad, researcher and associate professor in the School of Public Health in the nutrition department stated that there test had shown the consumption of pecans raises the amounts of healthy antioxidants in the body. This protective effect is essential in helping prevent the development of various diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

The research project was developed to further examine the health benefits of pecans. Dr. Haddad had examined biomarkers in blood and urine samples from participants in the study. Who had consumed a series of three diets made up of whole pecans, pecans combined with water or a control meal equal to nutritional composition. The meals of pecans contained around three ounces of the nuts. Samples were taken before meals and at intervals up to 24 hours after consumption.

After the test meals which consisted of pecans both whole and blended, researchers had discovered that the amounts of vitamin E in the body had doubled eight hours after both meals. Antioxidant power in the blood had increased 12% in the whole pecan meal and 10% in the blended pecan meals, two hours after consumption. Also, after consuming the whole pecan meal, the oxidized bad cholesterol levels had decrease by 30% after two hours, 33% after three hours and 26% after eight hours.

This study is among other numerous studies showing the health benefits of pecans. Dr. Haddad states there study demonstrates that pecans contain antioxidant factors and that these antioxidants are absorbed into the body providing protection against disease.

Other pecan benefits

Neurological protection

A study published in June 2010, in the issue of Current Topics in Nutraceutrcal Research, had shown in an animal study that pecans may have a part in providing protection to the nervous system. The study was conducted by the University of Massachusetts Lowell, in which advocated that by adding pecans to your diet could delay the developing of age related neuron degeneration. This had included numerous diseases including ALS known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Lowers cholesterol

Clinical research which had been published in the Journal of Nutrition (September 2001) had compared the Step 1 diet (28% fat) which is recommended by the American Heart Association for people with high cholesterol levels to a pecan enriched diet (40% fat). Findings of the research had revealed the pecan diet had lowered total cholesterol by 11.3% and bad cholesterol by 16.5% which was twice the amount of the Step 1 diet and did not provide any weight gain.

Dr. Ronald Eitenmiller, University of Georgia, had conducted research and confirmed that pecans contain plant sterols which are known for their ability to lower cholesterol levels.

The FDA did acknowledge these findings with the following statement "Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pecans, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

Maintain weight

In September 2003, published in the American Journal of Nutrition, was a review study of pecans and other nuts researched. This new review had advocated that nuts like pecans may just aide in weight loss and maintenance. The review had noted studies that had indicated that by eating nuts it could increase the metabolic rates and enhance the feeling of fullness. When used in combination with a healthy low fat diet nuts provide increased pleasing flavor and texture that could lead to more dietary compliance.

Heart Healthy

Pecans contain very little saturated fats. Almost 60% of fat in pecans are monounsaturated and 30% polyunsaturated. Pecans contain no trans fat. In addition they provide a great source of vitamin B1, protein, thiamin, oleic acid and magnesium.

Sources:

Daily News

Medical News Today

I Love Pecans