Pecan vs Hickory nut - 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.

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

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Pecan

5

:

3

Hickory nut

Contains more Calcium +14.8%

Contains more Iron +19.3%

Contains less Sodium -100%

Contains more Copper +62.6%

Contains more Magnesium +43%

Contains more Phosphorus +21.3%

Equal in Potassium - 436

Equal in Zinc - 4.31

Pecan

Hickory nut

Contains more Calcium +14.8%

Contains more Iron +19.3%

Contains less Sodium -100%

Contains more Copper +62.6%

Contains more Magnesium +43%

Contains more Phosphorus +21.3%

Equal in Potassium - 436

Equal in Zinc - 4.31

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

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Pecan

4

:

6

Hickory nut

Contains more Vitamin B3 +28.7%

Contains more Vitamin A +133.9%

Contains more Vitamin C +81.8%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +31.4%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +102.3%

Contains more Folate +81.8%

Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.131

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.192

Pecan

Hickory nut

Contains more Vitamin B3 +28.7%

Contains more Vitamin A +133.9%

Contains more Vitamin C +81.8%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +31.4%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +102.3%

Contains more Folate +81.8%

Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.131

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.192

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

Pecans have cardioprotective effects. They decrease the chances of cardiovascular diseases by lowering heart disease indicators such as hyperlipidemia and excessive cholesterol levels. (2)

Overall, nuts consumption, including hickory, has cardioprotective effects and reduces all types of cardiovascular diseases and coronary vessel atherosclerosis. (3)

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. (4)

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. (5)

Cancer

On breast cancer cell lines, pecan extract has exhibited anticarcinogenic properties. (6)

Gallic acid present in hickory nuts has protective effects against ovarian cancer. (7)

Digestion

Since they are both rich in fibers, they provide a healthy microflora preventing constipation and providing good absorption of nutrients, reducing total intestinal inflammation levels.

Eating foods that are rich in fibers reduce the risks of diverticulitis development. (8) (9)

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748761/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5762129/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29145952/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26450069/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20441672/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28807853/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26530725/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33727392/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21922199/