Most nuts contain alpha-tocopherol (regular vitamin E), but pecans are loaded with gamma-tocopherol - a more potent form that specifically targets nitrogen-based free radicals. This is why they outperform other nuts in antioxidant studies.

The name "pecan" comes from the Algonquin word "pacane" meaning "nut requiring a stone to crack." Native Americans relied on pecans as a primary food source during winter months because they're calorie-dense and don't spoil.

Pecan trees are native to the river valleys of the American South. The alluvial soil deposits create nuts with higher mineral content than cultivated varieties elsewhere. Georgia produces 80% of the world's pecans.

Unlike most nuts, pecans contain compounds that actually improve insulin sensitivity rather than just avoiding blood sugar spikes. They help your body process glucose more effectively.

A pecan's shell thickness directly correlates to its antioxidant content - thicker shells mean higher antioxidants. This is why hand-picked, properly sorted pecans matter.