Pecans, like all dried fruit, have protective functions on the cardiovascular system, a new study shows
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousPecans, like all dried fruit, have protective functions on the cardiovascular system, a new study shows
It has been discovered by a research group that a handful of pecans a day can ward off heart problems. Researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) conducted one study eight weeks to determine whether or not these crunchy nuts play a beneficial role in heart health.
A systematic review
The study collected 56 adults between the ages of 30 and 75, considered to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease, and placed them in three separate groups. Group one was asked to eat 68 grams (about 470 calories) of pecans per day. Group two were asked to replace pecans with a similar amount of calories in their diet, and group three (the control group) did not consume pecans during the study. (Read also: Dried fruit, the magnificent 7! The most nutritious and valuable varieties to be included in the diet)
During the eighth week, all volunteers underwent a blood test before and after eating a high-fat meal, so that the authors could examine any changes that occurred in their lipid (fat) and glucose (sugar) levels. ) in the blood. So it was found that fasting blood lipids in both groups that consumed pecans were better; the amount of triglycerides (lipids) in the blood after eating also decreased for those in group one, while group two showed reduced glucose levels.
The results
At the conclusion of the study, the researchers reported that adults who consumed pecans showed, on average, a 5% decrease in total cholesterol and a 6% -9% decrease in low-density lipoprotein, LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. Their findings were published in one of the latest issues of The Journal of Nutrition.
Some research show that even a 1% reduction in LDL is associated with a small reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease, so these reductions are significantly clinically significant.
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 93 million American adults, 20 years of age and older, have total cholesterol levels above 200 mg / dL, which is above the range considered healthy. The agency also reports that approximately 29 million adults in the United States have total cholesterol levels above 240 mg / dL.
These nuts have heart-healthy unsaturated fats and fiber, phenolic acids e Anthocyanins, which contain antioxidants that can help fight disease. Furthermore, since pecans are both flavorful and very versatile, they can be eaten in a variety of ways, in a salad, or lightly toasted to savor and enjoy them as a snack or simply use them as a condiment on your dishes.
However, it is not essential to consume only pecans, also other types of nuts such as classic walnuts or almonds, have similar properties.
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Photos: JN
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