Published research shows that the pecan, that All-American nut, contains the most antioxidant capacity of any other nut and is among the top category of foods to contain the highest antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants are substances found in foods that protect against cell damage and, studies have shown, can help fight diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer and heart disease.
In the largest, most comprehensive analysis of foods to date, researchers at the USDA Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center measured the antioxidant capacity of more than 100 foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, spices and cereals. Using a method called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), the researchers found that pecans ranked highest among all nuts in antioxidant capacity and were among the foods that showed high antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants help to prevent oxidation in body cells, which has been linked to many chronic and degenerative diseases, as well as the aging process.

Among the foods that contained the highest antioxidant capacity were beans, blueberries, apples and pecans. This research, published in the June edition of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, provides the first comprehensive set of data on antioxidant status of foods being consumed by the U.S. population. Ultimately, this will allow researchers to measure consumer’s overall intake of antioxidants and compare it to health outcomes in the population.

GOOD TO KNOW
With all of the discussions today about genetic modification of crops, NPSA (National Pecan Shellers Association) advises there are no pecans on the market that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The leading pecan crop breeding expert working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture advises that no pecan trees in their orchards or labs contain GMOs. The genetic engineering of pecans is not a strategy being used in the development of pecan cultivars.

NUTRITION
Pecans are packed with nutrition including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. It only takes about an ounce (or about 8 pecans) to get these nutritional and antioxidant benefits. Pecans are naturally cholesterol-free and sodium-free, and one serving provides about 10 percent of the Daily Value for zinc and fiber. Pecans are a particularly good source of unsaturated fats, including the monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid. Oleic acid, also found in olive oil, is a staple of the heart-healthy "Mediterranean diet." A serving of pecans (about one ounce or 30 grams) actually has about 25-30 percent more oleic acid than a serving of olive oil (one tablespoon). The government's newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans acknowledge that as part of a balanced diet, consumers can eat moderate amounts of fat as long as it is predominantly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated -- the heart-healthy, unsaturated fats.

Just last year, a study in Nutrition Research showed that eating about a handful of pecans each day might help reduce the risk of heart disease. The researchers suggest that this is in part due to the pecan’s significant content of vitamin E, which protects blood lipids from oxidation. When “bad” (LDL) cholesterol is oxidized, it is more likely to build up and clog arteries.
Other studies have shown that eating pecans might help reduce the risk of gallstones, aid in weight loss and support prostate health. Please see our "nutrition" page for additional information.

ORDERING OPTIONS
Pecan Nut Butter is available in the "all natural" and "organic" variety. It may be purchased in the following ways:

* In individual 9 ounce or 16 ounce jars
We do advise that you refrigerate the pecan butter even before you open it, to keep it at it's highest quality.
We also are offering Organic pecans (shelled halves) in 8 and 16 oz. bags

Information taken from The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA), a non-profit trade association.