Study Finds Pecans Improve Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight Adults

Eating 57 grams of pecans daily had a positive impact on heart and metabolic health

A recent study published in Current Developments in Nutrition evaluated the cardiometabolic effects of eating pecans instead of usual snacks in adults at risk for cardiometabolic diseases.

The study was a 12-week parallel randomized controlled trial involving overweight or obese adults with at least one feature of metabolic syndrome. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to replace their usual snacks with 57 grams of pecans daily for 12 weeks, while a control group followed their usual diets. Researchers measured vascular and metabolic health markers at the start and end of the trial.

Significant changes were seen in metabolites related to short-chain fatty acid production, carnitine metabolism, and anti-inflammatory lipid species —key pathways that influence cardiovascular and metabolic health. These findings suggest that pecan consumption may enhance cardiometabolic health by modulating multiple metabolic processes.