Pecans
<p>"Pecan" is from an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_language" title="Algonquin language" >Algonquian</a> word, meaning a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut(fruit)" title="Nut (fruit)" >nut</a> requiring a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock(geology)" title="Rock (geology)" >stone</a> to crack.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-2" >[3]</a></sup></p>
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Pecans are a good source of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein" title="Protein" >protein</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsaturated_fat" title="Unsaturated fat" >unsaturated fats</a>. Like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walnut" title="Walnut" >walnuts</a> (which pecans resemble), pecans are rich in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-6_fatty_acid" title="Omega-6 fatty acid" >omega-6 fatty acids</a>, although pecans contain about half as much omega-6 as walnuts.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-14" >[15]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-15" >[16]</a></sup></p>
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A diet rich in nuts can lower the risk of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallstone" title="Gallstone" >gallstones</a> in women.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-16" >[17]</a></sup> The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant" title="Antioxidant" >antioxidants</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytosterol" title="Phytosterol" >plant sterols</a> found in pecans reduce high <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol" title="Cholesterol" >cholesterol</a> by reducing the "bad" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_density_lipoprotein" title="Low density lipoprotein" class="mw-redirect" >LDL cholesterol</a> levels.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-17" >[18]</a></sup></p>
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Clinical research published in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Nutrition" title="Journal of Nutrition" >Journal of Nutrition</a> (September 2001) found that eating about a handful of pecans each day may help lower cholesterol levels similar to what is often seen with cholesterol-lowering medications.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-18" >[19]</a></sup> </p>
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Research conducted at the University of Georgia has also confirmed that pecans contain plant sterols, which are known for their cholesterol-lowering ability.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-19" >[20]</a></sup> Pecans may also play a role in neurological health. Eating pecans daily may delay age-related muscle nerve degeneration, according to a study conducted at the University of Massachusetts and published in Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan#cite_note-20" >[21]</a></sup></p>