Pacanas have recently appeared on Russian shelves, but they have already gained popularity among consumers due to their surprisingly delicate flavor and their healing properties.
Let us now analyze why this dry fruit is useful and how to use it to contribute maximum benefit to the body.
Description of the pecana nut
Pecana nut is one of the most fatty fruits in the world: it contains about 70 percent of its fat. It also contains several vitamins and micronutrients, such as calcium, iron, zinc and potassium.
Where does it grow?
La Pacana is mostly in the southeast of the United States. It also grows in Crimea, the Caucasus and some regions of Central Asia. The main condition for the cultivation of Pacana is a humid and warm climate. Surprisingly, the tree can bear fruit for three centuries: it is a lon g-lived member of the family of nuts.
The tree can grow up to 60 meters long and 2 meters of circumference. Thanks to its erect trunk, the Pacana is used to make wood and even skis. The tree cup is very beautiful: its leaves resemble those of Fresno and retain its bright green color even at the end of autumn.
The taste of the pacana is similar to that of the nut. However, its meat is much softer and soft due to its higher fat content. The pecana nut has a spicy chocolate flavor. Its appearance also resembles that of a nut, but it is more elongated and soft.
Aspect
The pecana nut is a straight dry brown fruit. The peel is 1 mm thick. The nut consists of two halves. In general, the fruit resembles an olive, so sometimes it is called olive nut.
Chemical composition and calories
The caloric value of the almond is 691 kcal per 100 grams.
Pacanas contain the following substances
- calcium, essential for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis;
- Potassium, without which normal myocardial functioning is impossible
- sodium, which favors the health of the heart
- Iron, essential for the production of the necessary quantity of hemoglobin
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which reinforces the immune defenses of the body and strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- polyunsaturated fats, which eliminate “bad” cholesterol of the organism and help prevent atherosclerosis and diseases caused by it (myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombophlebitis);
- Tocoferol, which improves the view and is good for skin and reproductive system;
- Selenium, an antioxidant that helps prevent the development of malignant tumors
- Magnesium and calcium, essential for the heart and normal functioning of skeletal muscles.
Pecana nut properties
The pecan nuts have the following valuable properties
- It helps eliminate the “bad” cholesterol of the organism;
- reinforces the immune system, being an excellent means to prevent seasonal infections;
- beneficial effects on male and female reproductive systems. Therefore, the nut is often prescribed to couples who want to have a baby;
- Improves metabolism, contributing to weight loss. To get rid of excess weight, grains must be eaten in small quantities, at the same time reducing the content of other fatty foods in the diet;
- Decrease blood pressure. A few grains a day can help stabilize blood pressure and avoid a hypertensive crisis;
- Help recover from severe physical and emotional stress
- They can be used to accelerate the rehabilitation rate of patients undergoing major surgery;
- Improves cardiac function and helps prevent arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease and chest angina.
Useful properties
Pecana nut can be consumed by both men and women. Let’s find out what effects it has on the male and female organism.
For the women
For women, Pecana nut, whose beneficial properties have been described above, has the following effects
- It favors the prevention of breast neoplasms and the reproductive system;
- During menopause, it reduces the symptoms of decreasing the activity of the reproductive glands. It helps eliminate hot flashes;
- Prevents osteoporosis and bone fractures that affect menopausal women;
- During pregnancy, it brings nutrients to the body and improves the state of women;
- During breastfeeding, the fatty content of breast milk increases and favors breastfeeding;
- Due to its high vitamin E content, it improves the reproductive system and increases the possibilities of pregnancy;
- Nut oil improves hair and skin quality and delays aging.
For man
For men, the pecana nut is useful for the following properties:
- Prevents the neoplasms of the prostate gland;
- Increases power and improves sperm quality;
- It helps to recover from an exhaustive activity. Pacana is especially indicated for men who do strenuous physical work;
- It helps prevent myocardial infarctions and strokes, which are the main causes of death among men around the world.
For older people
Pacanas are rich in natural antioxidants that slow down the aging process. Therefore, you can help old people to stay healthy and active for a longer time. In addition, the nut eliminates cholesterol, so it helps prevent heart attacks and spills.
Due to its high content of potassium and magnesium, pecan nuts improve the functioning of the heart, which allows reducing the symptoms and frequency of chest angina attacks.
However, it is important to remember that the pecana nut is a very caloric dry fruit, and metabolism slows down at an advanced age. Therefore, older people should not consume more than 2-3 nuts peaks per day, without losing sight of the total caloric content of their diet.
Damages and contraindications
Pecan nuts can be harmful if consumed in excess. This is due to its high caloric content. In addition, to achieve a feeling of satiety, Pacanas must eat a lot. In order not to gain weight, it is necessary to exclude other products that contain fat from the diet or increase physical activity.
Another contraindication is individual intolerance. Any dry fruit can cause allergies. If you are allergic to nuts, it is likely that a hypersensitivity reaction is also developed after eating pacanas.
Pacanas should not be consumed in the presence of pancreatic diseases and gallbladder. Pacanas are quite heavy foods, so the digestive system in case of pancreatitis and cholecystitis cannot deal with their digestion.
Special uses
Pacanas can be used not only as a dietary raw supplement. It can be used in the kitchen, in cosmetology and as a natural scar.
For culinary use
Pacanas are used in salads: a few grains provide a salty and sweet taste to the dishes. They can also be used as garrison of baked products and meat dishes. They can also be served with hard cheeses as a cold snack accompanied by wine.
Pacanas can also be used as a cake filling. Their walnut grains have a achocolatado flavor and create a culinary masterpiece. By the way, the famous American walnut cakes contain ground pecan walnuts such as filling.
In the science of nutrition
Pacanas are used in the science of nutrition to increase calories and as a nutritional supplement for people who have recently suffered severe stress or surgical intervention. Nutritionists advise to eat 2-3 nuts per day, preferably in the morning, so that the calories contained in the nut are consumed during the day.
In popular medicine
Traditional medicine specialists recommend the use of pacanas for the treatment of the following ailments
- Ocular diseases (cataracts, myopia, “chickens blindness”);
- Atherosclerosis;
- avitaminosis.
The nut is also used to prevent heart attacks, brain spills and malignant tumors.
In cosmetology
Pecán nut oil has unique properties: it contains a lot of vitamin E, which improves the skin, as well as antioxidants that slow down the aging process.
The oil can be applied to the skin in its pure form as a mask or added to a night cream. It should not be used in the morning, since its high oil content causes a brilliant film to be left on the skin and leave marks on it. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, it is better to avoid it or use only once a week.
The oil can be added to the conditioners, shampoos and hair masks. Strengthens hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Dry and damaged hair will look better and fall less. Pure oil can also be applied to the hair.
How many nuts should I eat up to date?
Once determined to introduce the pecan walnuts in their diet and evaluated their useful properties, you need to know how many grains you should eat up to date, not to win more kilos. Nutritionists say you have to eat more than 2-3 nuts a day. This will not damage the figure and at the same time help saturate the body with all the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
Particularities of its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
In their “homeland”, Pacanas are considered an essential food during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is true: Pecana nut can be considered the best dry fruit for young mothers and women who are about to have a baby. This is due to the fact that the pecan walnut helps reinforce the immune system and relieve women of physiological immunodeficiencies associated with pregnancy. In addition, the nut increases the volume of breast milk and makes it more fat and nutritious. In the pregnancy planning phase, nut is also useful: the lack of vitamin E, essential for the normal functioning of the reproductive system and the success of the conception.
However, it is important to remember that the woman’s body becomes more sensitive while leading the baby. Therefore, the consumption of nuts must begin with a grain a day, to check if an allergic reaction occurs.
Particularities of the selection and storage of nuts
The pecan walnuts should be chosen taking into account the following factors:
- Aspect. Quality nuts have a smooth and bright shell;
- conservation. Nuts tend to spoil quickly due to their high fat content. Walnuts should never be purchased with an expiration date: they have an unpleasant and rancid flavor and do not contain any useful substance.
Preferably, nuts should be packaged in a vacuum to keep during transport.
Do not be afraid to ask the seller a single nut. A good quality nut must have a slightly sweet taste with a chocolate nuance. If the nut has a bitter taste, it means that the fats it contains are rancid and should not buy it.
Save the pacanas in a glass jar with wel l-coated lid. The jar must be stored in the refrigerator so that it spoils more slowly. Do not buy large amounts of nuts: remember to consume them before the expiration date. It is preferable to keep nuts away from products with strong odors, since they can absorb odors and lose their unique flavor.
Now you know more about pecan walnuts, what they are and how to consume them to improve your health. The most important thing when introducing these nuts in your diet is moderation. Only two or three nuts a day are a real cure, while more can cause weight gain.
