We all know that nuts have plenty of additional health benefits, such as enhancing artery health, delivering essential minerals, and decreasing inflammation.
On top of that, nuts have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, which can benefit your general health. According to a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition by the University of Georgia Athens, pecans may have the ability to improve total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol), and triglycerides.
Over the course of eight weeks, 52 participants were divided into three groups. The first group consumed roughly 470 calories of pecans per day in addition to their regular diet, the second group consumed even more pecans by replacing their average caloric intake, and the third group served as a control group, consuming no pecans at all.
After eight weeks, both the first and second groups experienced a reduction in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "bad" kind of cholesterol).
Although additional research on this subject is needed, the findings regarding pecans and heart health are remarkable. Jamie Cooper, a professor and one of the study's authors, told UGA Today that even a slight reduction in cholesterol can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.
Health properties of pecans
The outcomes of this study with pecans and heart health are promising, but the particular properties of pecans that contribute to these results are still unclear.
Nuts, in general, have been shown to offer several health benefits due to their high fiber, good fat, amino acid, vitamin E, and potassium content, which may explain the research findings on pecans.
While there is still much to learn about pecans and their impact on cholesterol and heart health, we know that they can be a valuable component of a cholesterol-lowering diet.