Strengthening the Case for Pecans: New Scientific Studies to Uncover Nutritional Benefits

Credible science is the backbone of our nutrition communications around pecans. While many studies looking at tree nuts and nutrition have been conducted with positive results, studies specifically singling out pecan’s nutrition benefits are few and far between. The American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB) is working to change that by funding a series of new scientific studies conducted by prestigious universities and organizations with the aim of uncovering the unique health benefits of pecans and providing new insights to help consumers appreciate the nut’s role in a healthy diet.

In order to build the scientific pipeline for pecans, APPB did a review of all available tree nut studies, including studies isolating pecans. The APPB identified three areas as opportunities to fill in potential nutrition gaps, including inflammation—which includes vascular disease and heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes—and gut health, which has been tied to improved cognition and immunity.

In early June, APPB issued a request for scientific proposals and received more than 18 proposals from top research universities such as UC Davis, UCLA, University of Georgia, and others. APPB will be funding five studies by the end of September that will investigate a variety of topics, including:

• Exploring how pecans impact key health areas such as the gut microbiome, cardiovascular function, metabolism, inflammation, and cognitive performance.
• Focusing on skin antioxidant defense and systemic oxidative status, which are critical in the aging process.
• Exploring the dose-response effects of eating pecans on health markers in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Monitoring overall health and a pecan-related diet, with a goal of understanding how incorporating pecans into one’s diet can influence health across different life stages.

These studies’ results will bolster data behind our nutrition claims and help us reach our consumers with more reasons to love America’s delicious and nutritious native nut. The future of pecan research looks promising, and with it, the potential to gain attention from health-conscious consumers.