Almonds, Pecans
Besides being one of the most flavorful nuts, almonds also offer the highest amount of fiber of any nut – as much as three grams of fiber per ounce, which make them a great source for the fiber that our bodies needs for the following reasons and more:
Fiber helps keep you regular, and supports a healthy, balanced gut. It helps absorb toxins in the digestive tract and helps maintain cardiovascular health. It helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and healthy blood sugar levels that are already in the normal range.
Almonds also have a weight-loss component to them. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who consume almonds shed more pounds than those who don’t. Like most nuts, almonds have also been found to help with combating high cholesterol and the development of heart disease.
Pecans are absolutely packed with antioxidants. The USDA includes pecans in the list of top 20 foods for antioxidant capacity. The value of antioxidants is immense in the human body. Dr. Lester Packer (one of the world’s top scientists in antioxidant research) states: “There is now overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrating that people who eat a diet rich in antioxidants and take antioxidant supplements will live longer, healthier lives.”
The mineral content of Pecans is also impressive. They contain a staggering 245% of the daily value of manganese, important for heart health. You can also get 65% of your needed copper from pecans, along with 33% of your needed zinc and magnesium.
For those suffering from diabetes, which is over 30 million Americans, pecans are an ideal snack due to the high amount of oleic acid that they contain. Numerous recent studies have linked this monounsaturated fatty acid to helping better regulate the way glucose and insulin are produced in the body. Similar to the health benefits linked to the Mediterranean diet (oleic acid is a primary component of olive oil), pecans can offer those same benefits in bite-sized portions.