Hickory nut vs. Pecan — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison
Summary
Pecan is richer in fibers and monounsaturated fats. It is richer in copper, zinc, iron, vitamins B3, B6, E, and K. Comparatively, hickory is richer in phosphorus, magnesium, folate, vitamin B1, and B5. Hickory contains more carbs and saturated fats.
Table of contents
Introduction
The pecan nut is native to North America. They are common in Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico. They can be consumed raw or roasted. They may be utilized and processed into various culinary products, including milk and flour.
The hickory nut tree has various types, mainly spread around the North American continent. However, some are also found in the temperate climate regions of Asia. The hickory nut is similar to walnut in shape, but it's smaller, with some minor differences in how it looks.
This article will discuss the difference between pecan and hickory nuts while considering their general differences, nutritional content, and health impacts.
General differences
The general differences between pecan and hickory fall under various categories such as price and availability and culinary usage.
Price
Pecan nuts are cheaper than hickory nuts. They are available all around the world.
Culinary usage
Pecan and hickory can be used interchangeably in the culinary world. They are primarily used as eating raw or roasted. In addition to that, they can be used in baking sweets and desserts such as pies.
Pecan milk and hickory nut milk are available. However, hickory nut milk is not widely used, and it's a more expensive nut than pecan, making pecan milk cheaper.
Nutritional content comparison
Calories
Pecan and hickory nuts contain approximately similar amounts of calories. However, we can say that pecan contains a slightly higher calorie amount.
Carbs
Hickory nuts contain more carbs than pecan nuts.
Hickory contains nearly 1.4 times more carbs than pecan nuts.
Fibers
Although hickory contains more carbs than pecan nuts, when it comes to fiber content, pecan nuts contain 1.5 times more fiber than hickory nuts.
Glycemic index
They are classified as low glycemic index foods, and they do not cause an insulin spike after consumption.
Proteins
Hickory nuts contain higher amounts of proteins than pecan.
Fats
The majority of the macronutrient in hickory and pecan nuts are composed of fats. Pecan nuts contain higher amounts of fats than hickory.
We can say that 72% of pecan is fat, and 64% of hickory is fat.
Since fats are the main component, it is important to mention their distribution in detail.
Although pecan contains more “total fat” than hickory, it contains less saturated fat and equal polyunsaturated fats. Among the polyunsaturated fats are omega-3 fats and omega-6 fats.
The fats are mostly unsaturated type distributed among polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats.
Minerals
Both nuts are highly rich and diverse in their mineral profiles. Pecan is richer in copper, zinc, and iron. All these values satisfy the RDV of each respectively. In addition to that, the amount of phosphorus also satisfies the RDV. However, hickory contains higher amounts of phosphorus. On the other hand, hickory is richer in phosphorus and magnesium, and they both satisfy the RDV of each. In addition to that, copper and zinc amounts in hickory, although less than pecan, also satisfy the RDV of each.
Below we can see a comparative diagram for each nut’s mineral distribution.
Mineral Comparison
Contains
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MagnesiumMagnesium
+43%
Contains
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PhosphorusPhosphorus
+21.3%
Contains
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SeleniumSelenium
+113.2%
Contains
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CalciumCalcium
+14.8%
Contains
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IronIron
+19.3%
Contains
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CopperCopper
+62.6%
Contains
less
SodiumSodium
-100%
Vitamins
The vitamin profiles of pecan and hickory are not as diverse and rich compared to their mineral profiles.
Pecan is richer in vitamins B3, B6, E, and K. whereas, on the other hand, the hickory nut is richer in c
Below we can see the diagram that displays the distribution of their vitamins.
Vitamin Comparison
Contains
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Vitamin CVitamin C
+81.8%
Contains
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Vitamin AVitamin A
+133.9%
Contains
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Vitamin B1Vitamin B1
+31.4%
Contains
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Vitamin B5Vitamin B5
+102.3%
Contains
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FolateFolate
+81.8%
Contains
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Vitamin B3Vitamin B3
+28.7%
Health impacts
Overall Health
Nuts in general, including hickory and pecans, have long been regarded to contribute to weight gain. On the other hand, science has determined a false assumption based on its research. They are high in calories due to their high monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They are abundant in vitamins and minerals and healthy fats and help with digestion and metabolism. (1)
Cardiovascular Health
Pecans are known for their high content of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which is heart-healthy. They also contain antioxidants like vitamin E and phenolic compounds, which may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to atherosclerosis (2, 3).
Hickory nuts, on the other hand, also contain healthy fats and some antioxidants, although their specific nutrient composition may vary slightly from pecans. They're also a good source of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health (4).
In general, including a variety of nuts in your diet, including both pecans and hickory nuts, can be beneficial for heart health. They can be part of a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, all of which contribute to overall cardiovascular health. However, it's essential to consume them in moderation, as they are calorie-dense foods.
Diabetes
Pecan contains anti-diabetic flavonoids and phenolic substances that reduce total blood glucose levels and provide glycemic control. In addition to this capability, it has anti-oxidant properties. (5)
In addition, most nuts, including pecan and hickory, have characteristics that reduce metabolic syndrome, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Reducing the risks of developing metabolic syndrome reduces the overall mortality rate. (6)
Cancer
On breast cancer cell lines, pecan extract has exhibited anticarcinogenic properties. (7)
Gallic acid present in hickory nuts has protective effects against ovarian cancer. (8)
Digestion
Since they are both fiber-rich, they may alter the gut microbiome and increase Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus levels, considered “good” bacteria; dietary fiber may also alleviate chronic constipation symptoms.
According to several guidelines, eating fiber-rich foods may beneficially affect diverticular disease. (9) (10) (11)
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748761/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9772122/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35307465/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17125536/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26450069/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20441672/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28807853/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26530725/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33727392/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21922199/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34684388/
Infographic
Macronutrient Comparison
Contains more ProteinProtein | +38.7% |
Contains more CarbsCarbs | +31.7% |
Contains more OtherOther | +35.8% |
Contains more FatsFats | +11.8% |
Contains more WaterWater | +32.8% |
Fat Type Comparison
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat | -12.2% |
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat | +25.1% |
Comparison summary table
Lower in Sodium | |||
Lower in Saturated Fat | |||
Lower in Sugar | |||
Lower in Glycemic Index | |||
Lower in price | |||
Lower in Cholesterol | Equal | ||
Rich in minerals | Equal | ||
Rich in vitamins | Equal |
All nutrients comparison - raw data values
Nutrient | Opinion | ||
Calories | 657kcal | 691kcal | |
Protein | 12.72g | 9.17g | |
Fats | 64.37g | 71.97g | |
Vitamin C | 2mg | 1.1mg | |
Net carbs | 11.85g | 4.26g | |
Carbs | 18.25g | 13.86g | |
Magnesium | 173mg | 121mg | |
Calcium | 61mg | 70mg | |
Potassium | 436mg | 410mg | |
Iron | 2.12mg | 2.53mg | |
Sugar | 3.97g | ||
Fiber | 6.4g | 9.6g | |
Copper | 0.738mg | 1.2mg | |
Zinc | 4.31mg | 4.53mg | |
Starch | 0.46g | ||
Phosphorus | 336mg | 277mg | |
Sodium | 1mg | 0mg | |
Vitamin A | 131IU | 56IU | |
Vitamin A RAE | 7µg | 3µg | |
Vitamin E | 1.4mg | ||
Manganese | 4.61mg | 4.5mg | |
Selenium | 8.1µg | 3.8µg | |
Vitamin B1 | 0.867mg | 0.66mg | |
Vitamin B2 | 0.131mg | 0.13mg | |
Vitamin B3 | 0.907mg | 1.167mg | |
Vitamin B5 | 1.746mg | 0.863mg | |
Vitamin B6 | 0.192mg | 0.21mg | |
Vitamin K | 3.5µg | ||
Folate | 40µg | 22µg | |
Choline | 40.5mg | ||
Saturated Fat | 7.038g | 6.18g | |
Monounsaturated Fat | 32.611g | 40.801g | |
Polyunsaturated fat | 21.886g | 21.614g | |
Tryptophan | 0.139mg | 0.093mg | |
Threonine | 0.422mg | 0.306mg | |
Isoleucine | 0.576mg | 0.336mg | |
Leucine | 1.027mg | 0.598mg | |
Lysine | 0.497mg | 0.287mg | |
Methionine | 0.3mg | 0.183mg | |
Phenylalanine | 0.713mg | 0.426mg | |
Valine | 0.73mg | 0.411mg | |
Histidine | 0.389mg | 0.262mg | |
Fructose | 0.04g |
Which food is preferable for your diet?
Low Calories diet | ||
Low Fats diet | ||
Low Carbs diet | ||
Low Glycemic Index diet |
People also compare
Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
Comparison summary
References
All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.
- Hickory nut - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170177/nutrients
- Pecan - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170182/nutrients
All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.