Pecan nut: benefits and harm

The benefits and harms of pecans for the body today is a controversial topic among most people. This product is considered exotic by many, but despite this, pecans can be increasingly seen on store shelves. Undoubtedly, the nut has a large number of beneficial properties, but its composition has not been fully studied, as a result of which some are afraid to eat it due to the individual characteristics of the body.

Description of pecan

If we look at the description and photo of the pecan, it is worth noting that the biological name is as follows - Illinois Caria. This plant belongs to the Walnut family, to the Hickory genus. The tree is deciduous; in its homeland the plant can reach large sizes. There have been cases when old trees reach a girth of 2 m.

Among the descriptions of appearance it is worth noting:

• the trunk is thick;
• the bark is wrinkled;
• the crown is quite lush and spreading;
• the leaves are quite large, elongated, smooth;
• At the moment of flowering, long and fluffy earrings appear.

The flowering period is from May to late June. The pollination process is carried out by the wind.

What does a pecan look like?

Many people call pecans a drupe. As a rule, fruits grow on the tree in bunches. Each bunch includes from 5 to 10 fruits. Nuts can reach a length of up to 4 cm. The shell is quite dense, with a smooth surface.

When pecans are ripe, they turn brown in color. After the fruit has completely dried, it begins to crack, resulting in a visible kernel, which is shaped like a walnut. The kernels are quite sweet, the internal partitions are completely absent.

Where do pecans grow?

Grows on fertile and loose soils with sufficient moisture. This type of tree can be found in the United States - in the states of Iowa and Indonesia, the Mississippi Valley, and the Texas prairie. Pecans are grown commercially for further sale.

Since some varieties can tolerate low temperatures, they can be grown even in the North.

Where do pecans grow in Russia?

As you know, pecans prefer to grow in warm areas where the weather is humid. That is why most of the plantings occur in North America and the Mississippi coast. These territories are considered the birthplace of trees. Today, this type of plant can be found in Russia.As a rule, the plant grows in Central Asia, the Caucasus and Crimea. It was brought to Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. Today it grows in the south of the country.

In the world

Its natural habitat is the Mississippi River Valley, Mexico. Before this, trees were seen on the western side of the United States, on the coasts of the Pacific Ocean, and Italy.

In 1716, pecans were brought to America, after which they spread throughout all European countries. For the first time information about the nut was mentioned by Carl Linnaeus. In 1818, this species was separated into a separate genus. Plant cultivation dates back to the 18th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, trees began to be grown in Russia, namely on the Black Sea coast.

How do pecans grow?

After the planting material has been planted in open ground, you should prepare for the fact that the tree will grow quite slowly for the first 5 years. For example, the annual growth is only 30 cm. As many believe, during this period of time the root system is formed.

Fruiting is quite late. As a rule, harvesting begins at the end of October. That is why not all varieties can be grown in Russia, since due to low temperature conditions the fruits do not ripen completely, and the yield remains extremely low. With proper care, fruiting occurs after the tree has reached the age of 12 years.

What does a pecan taste like?

Many people tend to assume that walnuts and pecans are close relatives, and this is not surprising, because in appearance they are quite similar, but in fact, the differences are colossal.

A distinctive feature is its taste, which cannot be compared with other varieties. Pecans taste quite delicate, creamy, with a sweet aftertaste. It is important to take into account that the kernels have no bitterness at all.

Chemical composition of pecans

The kernels contain a large amount of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, which have a beneficial effect on health. Before you start eating, you should first study what is included in the composition, since due to the individual characteristics of the body, there is a possibility that some components will not only not be absorbed, but will also cause irreparable harm. Includes:

• vegetable fats;
• zinc;
• carbohydrates;
• vitamins of group C;
• iron;
• beta-carotene;
• tocopherol;
• sodium;
• proteins;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• oleic acid;
• retinol;
• B vitamins.

Pecan Nut Calories

If we consider the calorie content of pecans, it is worth noting that the fat content for every 100 g of product is approximately 72%. As an example for comparison we can give:

• walnut – 62% fat;
• hazelnuts – 61%;
• peanuts – 49%.

The calorie level of 1 pecan is 690 kcal.

Pecan Glycemic Index

Table of the glycemic index of nuts for every 100 g of product:

Beneficial properties of pecan nuts

Undoubtedly, the benefits of pecans for human health are undeniable. The product has been proven to have many beneficial properties:

• the protein contained allows damaged tissues to recover and grow fairly quickly;
• B vitamins take an active part in metabolism;
• vitamins of group C bring significant benefits to a weakened body;
• copper boosts the immune system;
• Magnesium helps lower blood pressure and normalizes blood sugar.

In addition, pecans are actively used in folk medicine to treat many diseases and for preventive purposes.

What is useful for women

As you know, the female body needs fat, since it is with its help that beauty can be maintained. If there is a deficiency of fat in the body, this will cause significant harm:

• the skin will begin to deteriorate;
• hair will fall out;
• the nail plate will weaken.

Many researchers say that due to its beneficial properties, pecans can be used for preventive purposes to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer, since many women personally face similar problems.

What is useful for men

Many people know that some foods can improve men's health. Pecans belong to this category of products. Due to their beneficial properties, nuts can increase the level of testosterone, which is considered the main hormone. Testosterone is responsible for:

• reproductive system;
• body structure;
• hair growth;
• voice timbre.

Every man would benefit from eating a small amount of pecans during a snack.This product contains arginine, an amino acid that allows you to increase blood flow to the sexual organ, resulting in increased potency.

Benefits for pregnant women

As a rule, women during pregnancy pay special attention to their diet, which must be correct. Before you start eating a new product, you should first find out all the necessary information about it, namely, take into account the benefits and harm to the body.

Pecans provide significant benefits during pregnancy:

• folic acid contributes to the proper development and growth of the child;
• vitamins of group C make the body strong enough and resistant to viral infections;
• Vitamins of group E have a beneficial effect on the skin. During pregnancy, many women experience the appearance of stretch marks, which is why it is recommended to eat nuts in small quantities.

It is important to understand that, despite all the beneficial properties, you should not abuse the product. It is recommended to eat no more than 10 nuts per week.

What is good for children

You can start introducing nuts into your child’s diet after he turns 3 years old. If you give it earlier, you can cause harm to the child’s body, despite all the beneficial properties of the product, for example, an allergic reaction will appear.

Pecans can also be given starting at age 4, although many experts strongly recommend this at age 6. Nuts can improve memory, strengthen the immune system, and accelerate growth.

Pecans for diabetes

Any nuts contain a large amount of proteins, minerals, healthy fats, and pecans are no exception in this case. Most hazelnuts help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, prevent the development of heart and vascular diseases, and improve well-being.

Pecans contain a large number of substances that are beneficial for people with diabetes:

• omega-3;
• calcium;
• vitamins of groups D;
• cellulose.

Thus, if you have diabetes, you can eat pecans. Since it will not only not harm your overall well-being, but will also allow you to cope with an existing disease. The main thing is to use it in moderation so as not to cause harm to your health.

Pecans for pancreatitis

If an acute stage of pancreatitis is observed or the chronic stage has worsened, then consuming any nuts in these situations is prohibited. This is due to the fact that the nut is a rough product and that is why, when consumed, it has a strong mechanical effect on the digestive organs. In case of pancreatitis, mechanical influences should be avoided completely, which will prevent you from causing even more harm to your health.

In addition, nuts contain a large amount of fat and plant fiber, which is also undesirable for this type of disease. You can eat nuts only after a stable remission has been achieved or the disease has been completely eliminated.

How to peel pecans

Pecans can be shelled using several methods:

1. Boil – Place the nuts in a container, add water, put on the fire, bring to a boil and let cook for 10 minutes.
2. Soak – place the nuts in salt water for 2 hours.
3. To freeze – Many people claim that frozen nuts are the easiest to peel.

Once the pecans are prepared, you can begin shelling. To do this, you need to choose a tool. In this case, you can use a hammer or pliers. The nut is carefully split, the kernel is removed, the grooves and shell are removed and allowed to dry.

Cooking recipes

Pecan is an exotic product that has captivated a large number of gourmets. Nuts go well with salads, soups, main courses, and desserts. Sauces made from pecan nuts acquire an unusual taste, which can later be used for meat or fish.

Pecans are most often used for baking and desserts. The most popular are Danish rolls with nuts and maple syrup. In addition, the product can be added to cakes, as a topping, as well as pies and homemade chocolate.

Pecan Pie

For preparation you will need:

• flour – 175 g;
• pecans – 2.5 tbsp.;
• butter – 225 g (plus 85 g for filling);
• maple syrup – 150 g;
• rum – 3 tbsp. l.;
• eggs – 3 pcs.;
• granulated sugar – 250 g.

Base preparation process:

1. Finely chop the butter.
2. Sprinkle with flour and rub well.
3. Add salt to taste.
4. Add 3 tbsp. l. water.
5. Knead the dough.
6. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
7. The dough is rolled out into any shape.
8. The bottom and always the sides are formed.
9. Cover with foil.
10. Bake for 12 minutes at +190C.
11. Remove the foil.
12. Leave for another 10 minutes.

Preparing the filling:

1. Beat the eggs.
2. Add maple syrup and granulated sugar.
3. Beat until a homogeneous air mass is obtained.
4. Grind the pecans.
5. Add to the filling.

The resulting mass is poured into the dough and baked for about 40 minutes.

Pecan tincture

As a preventive measure to boost the immune system, as well as in the fight against vitamin deficiency, it is customary to use pecan-based tincture. Everyone has long known what beneficial properties this product has, as a result of which an alcohol tincture is being actively prepared.

To prepare you will need:

• vodka – 0.5 l;
• pecans – 20 pcs.

Cooking process:

1. Pecans are crushed.
2. Fill with vodka.
3. Let it brew for 30 days in a dark place.

This tincture should be consumed 1 tbsp. l. every day until the tincture runs out. The course of treatment is repeated annually 2 times.

Sauce

To prepare the sauce you will need:

• garlic – 1 clove;
• basil – 1 small cup;
• pecans - ½ cup;
• olive oil – ½ cup;
• grated hard cheese – 2 tbsp. l.;
• salt - to taste.

Cooking process:

1. Garlic is crushed in a blender.
2. Add basil and pecans.
3. Beat.
4. Pour in oil.
5. Beat until smooth.

After this, the sauce can be poured into a container, sprinkled with cheese, and added salt to taste.

Daily value of pecans

In order for pecans to really bring significant benefits to the body and not harm, it is necessary to observe the permissible daily intake during consumption. A healthy person can eat up to 35 grams of pecans daily. This weight is approximately 15-18 pcs. nuts It is important to understand that abuse of this product will not lead to anything good.If your body has an individual intolerance to certain components, you should first consult with a specialist.

Contraindications

Before you start introducing a new type of product into your diet, you should first study the beneficial properties of pecans and contraindications. This is due to the fact that if the recommendations for use are not followed, significant harm to health can be caused. It is important to consider that in addition to their beneficial properties, nuts also have a number of contraindications. It is not recommended to use the product for people:

• having individual intolerance to certain components;
• with an allergic reaction;
• obesity, since nuts are high in calories.

In all other cases, the body will only benefit from consumption.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of pecans for the body have been scientifically proven. A healthy person can include nuts in their diet without fear of causing significant harm to their health, but the permissible daily allowance must be met. In addition to a large number of useful properties, the nut has a delicate taste.

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