Scientists from Brazil and other countries have found that adding pecan nuts to a healthy diet may benefit people with heart disease.
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease in the United States. It is also known as coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease.
For some individuals, the first sign of coronary artery disease is a heart attack. Working with a healthcare team can help reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Coronary artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (the coronary arteries) and other parts of the body.
Risk factors include being overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and tobacco smoking. A family history of heart disease—especially early onset before age 50—also increases risk.
The effects of healthy foods on blood sugar control and body fat in people with coronary artery disease remain unclear.
In the current study, researchers examined whether a healthy diet supplemented with pecan nuts or extra-virgin olive oil could influence blood sugar levels and body fat in people with coronary artery disease.
The 12-week study involved 204 participants, who were assigned to one of three groups: a healthy diet alone, a healthy diet plus 30 grams of pecan nuts per day, or a healthy diet plus 30 milliliters of extra-virgin olive oil per day.
At the end of the study, the researchers found no significant differences among the groups in blood sugar levels or body fat.
However, the group consuming pecan nuts showed improved overall diet quality compared with the other groups.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that while adding pecan nuts to a healthy diet did not significantly change blood sugar or body fat in people with coronary artery disease, it may improve the overall nutritional quality of the diet.
They noted that further studies are needed to examine dietary strategies for the secondary prevention of heart disease.
The research was published in The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition and conducted by Júlia L. Dos Santos and colleagues.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and calcium supplements could harm your heart health.
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