New Findings Highlight Two Decades of Evidence Supporting Pecans in Heart-Healthy Diets

Review synthesizes research on pecans' role in cardiovascular health, diet quality, and more

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A newly published scientific review highlights pecans – America's native nut – and their role in heart-healthy diets. The comprehensive analysis synthesizes more than 20 years of research on pecans and reinforces positive evidence related to cardiovascular health and overall diet quality, while also identifying promising areas for future research.

Why it matters

The review demonstrates that including pecans as part of a healthy eating pattern can support key markers associated with cardiovascular health, particularly blood lipids. Pecans contain rich sources of polyphenols and other bioactive components that could also support antioxidant activity and help reduce lipid oxidation, a process related to oxidative stress.

The details

Studies show that regular pecan consumption has been linked to improvements in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol when eaten in snacking portions. Findings on pecans' effects on blood sugar and diabetes-related outcomes are mixed, and more research is needed to clarify their role in metabolic health. Several studies report greater feelings of fullness after pecan consumption, making satiety a promising area of research, even as findings on weight outcomes remain mixed.

  • The review, Pecans and Human Health: Distinctive Benefits of an American Nut, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients in February 2026.
  • The review evaluated more than 20 years of research on pecans and health, including studies published between 2000 and 2025.

The players

Illinois Institute of Technology

The institution where the researchers who conducted the review are based.

Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, MS

Director of the Center for Nutrition Research at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a co-author of the review.

American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB)

The organization that supported the study, though they had no influence over the study or its findings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What stands out in the research is the consistency of evidence linking pecans to markers of heart health and overall diet quality.”

— Britt Burton-Freeman, Director of the Center for Nutrition Research, Illinois Institute of Technology (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The review identifies promising opportunities for future research, including gut health and digestion, brain health, and the influence of bioactive compounds that vary by growing conditions.

The takeaway

Adding a handful of pecans to meals or snacks may be a simple and flavorful way to support heart health and improve overall diet quality, as pecans naturally fit into balanced, healthy eating patterns.