For starters, they go way beyond dessert. A pecan pie recipe goes a long way.

According to the USDA, pecans have more flavonoids — a type of antioxidant found mostly in veggies and fruit — than any other tree nut. That said: Avoid dietary supplements of vitamin E. Pecans are excellent sources of manganese and copper, two minerals that boost overall metabolic health, may contain anti-inflammatory properties, and potentially help reduce risk of heart disease. They can satisfy a salty-snack craving. Unsalted nuts are a naturally sodium-free snack, making them ideal for anyone following a lower-sodium diet or cutting back on salty foods. Diets high in sodium have been linked to increased risk of chronic disease, especially high blood pressure.

London handled all of Good Housekeeping’s nutrition-related content, testing, and evaluation from 2014 to 2019. Prior to joining GH, she was a clinical dietitian at Mount Sinai Hospital. Jackie has also appeared as an expert guest on The Dr. 5 0 25 0 25 0h-.

Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. However, apart from their delicious flavor, these tasty tree nuts bring so much more to the table in terms of nutrition. Not only are they high in healthy fats, protein and fiber, but pecans are also brimming with key nutrients like manganese, copper and thiamine. Plus, they’ve been tied to a number of impressive health benefits, from improved heart health to better brain function and beyond. So are pecans good for you?