subject: Texas, the pecan nut and its health benefits [print this page] Texas, the pecan nut and its health benefits
Working in a high pressure job can be stressful and injurious to physical health.
Performing at a high level and concentrating on a computer screen for eight hours a day can take its toll on the eyes and brain. Taking regular breaks from your workstation is recommended by health professionals who recognize the adverse affects of working for too long but another way of preventing maladies and disorders is to eat well. A balanced diet replete with vitamins and minerals can assist the body in fighting off infections and help you feel energised in your office space.
Office staff in Texas should take full advantage of the nutritious foodstuff that forms their state emblem, which contains plenty of helpful antioxidants and disease busting ingredients; the magical pecan nut. Texas is famous for its pecan nut production and is the second largest producer of the seed in the world. The pecan tree became the state tree in 1919 and the nuts it creates are used in pies, pastries and sweet dishes across the continent.
There are over a thousand varieties of the nut, which are named after American Indian tribes, such as Mohawk, Cheyenne and Sioux. In fact the month of April has been declared as National Pecan Month illustrating the close bond the nut has wit h its American Heritage.
So what are the advantages of eating pecans?
Nutritionists say eating four or five servings of any type of nut each week is recommended; pecans are special because they are believed to have a cholesterol-reducing ability. Pecans contain Beta-sisterol, which helps to reduce the bad cholesterol that can lead to an unhealthy heart. About 30 pecan halves a day can lower the risk of heart disease.
Oleic acid, found in food like olive oil, is also present in the pecan nut. Scientists at a Chicago university have found that the fatty acid reduces the activity of a gene that is believed to trigger breast cancer. The pecan nut contains far more oleic acid than olive oil so it is a welcome addition to the female diet.
Staff in Texas, whether based in Addison office space or Zapata office space, may want to take heed of the advice to include nuts and grains in their diet. However, they should remember that sugar-laden pecan pies, sweetened-nut muffins and Danish pastries topped with the state nut are not healthy options that should be divulged in every day. A plain-old handful of pecans is the best way to go and then the occasional sweet treat won't go amiss.
