Improve heart health

Pecans are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, a type of fat that may be beneficial to heart health. In one research of 204 persons with coronary artery disease, which is characterized by arterial narrowing, eating 1 ounce (30 grams) of pecans daily for 12 weeks improved the blood ratio of total cholesterol to HDL (good) cholesterol. Similarly, a previous study of 19 adults with normal cholesterol levels discovered that those who ate 2.5 ounces (68 grams) of pecans daily had considerably reduced levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol after 8 weeks as compared to those in a control group who didn't eat any nuts.

Other research suggests that eating more tree nuts, particularly pecans, may lower total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides – all of which are risk factors for heart disease.