Contrary to their name, cashew nuts are a kind of seed. They are derived from cashew apples and are highly nutritious and beneficial to one’s health. The majority of their health advantages stem from the beneficial antioxidants and fatty acids they contain. They’re high in copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and selenium.
Unprocessed and raw cashews can be poisonous, thus they should be processed and cleaned before consumption. However, after processing, they are healthy and delightful, with several health advantages. Consuming cashews has been related to improved cardiovascular health, weight reduction, and reduced cholesterol.
What are cashew nuts?
Cashews are derived from cashew trees, which are native to Brazil but are grown in a variety of nations throughout the globe.
They are not nuts, but rather seeds that sprout on the bottom of cashew apples (also known as cashew fruits). Cashew seeds are enclosed in kidney-shaped shells that are surrounded by a variety of poisonous layers.
Cashews are generally shelled by hand because mechanical shelling often causes harm. This hand processing is one reason why cashews might be costly to purchase.Â
Cashew nuts are rich in vitamin K, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and a variety of other essential minerals. Some people believe cashews to be a healthier option than peanuts as they contain less omega-6 and more omega-3 fatty acids.Â
Cashews vary from peanuts in that they contain minerals such as copper, manganese, and magnesium. A poor balance of these fatty acids is linked to inflammation and chronic illnesses.
Are cashews toxic?
Cashews are not harmful, however, their shell contains the toxic oil urushiol.
The National Institute of Health advises that cashew nuts contain urushiol, which can cause contact dermatitis. Urushiol can cause itching, blisters, and skin rashes. The good news is that the poisons may be removed by simply roasting the cashews.
What are Cashew Apples or Cashew Fruit?
Fresh cashew apples are an excellent source of antioxidants. Some describe their flavor as sweet and pleasant. Cashew apples can taste similar to tropical fruits such as mango, with citrus notes.
In regions where cashew trees flourish, the apples are used to cook and make jam, and chutney. Cashew apple juice is utilized for medical purposes.Â
Cashew Apple Fruit Juice: Antioxidants
The juice derived from cashew apples is rich in antioxidants and has several health advantages. Also, the juice of cashew apples has anti-inflammatory qualities that may speed up injury recovery. Cashew apples are rich in minerals, and vitamin C, and have antimicrobial characteristics.
Cashew Nuts’ Nutritional Value
Cashews have a high nutritional content that offers health benefits for you. According to Cleveland Clinic researchers, one ounce (28 grams) of cashews contains around 18 cashew nuts. Cashews are also beneficial to digestion since 18 cashews provide just under a gram of dietary fiber (4% of your RDI).
Cashews are beneficial because they contain monounsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids have several health advantages. Cashews have been shown to include linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitoleic acid.
Cashews also have a high concentration of amino acids and proteins, which help to strengthen muscles and bones. 100 grams of cashews provide 18 grams of protein, which is approximately one-third of your total RDI. Of course, given that 100 grams of cashews have 553 calories, ingesting that much is not recommended.
Cashew nuts contain the majority of the minerals required by the body to function properly and stay healthy. One ounce of cashews provides 0.6mcg of copper (31% of RDI), 0.5mcg of manganese (23% of RDI), 82mg of magnesium (20% of RDI), and 166mg of phosphorous (17% of RDI).
Cashews contain iron, which maintains healthy blood flow and avoids iron deficiency. An ounce of cashews provides 2 milligrams of iron, which accounts for 10% of the recommended daily intake.
Harvard research on cashews shows that nuts contain essential elements for blood health. They are rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, selenium, and zinc. These minerals have all been proved to have beneficial health effects.
Minerals including zinc, selenium, and magnesium are thought to help prevent illness by boosting the immune system. Most of the minerals present in cashew nuts have strong anti-inflammatory capabilities.
Cashews have no sodium, therefore be cautious when eating salted cashews because too much salt can be harmful to heart health.
Health Benefits of Cashew Nuts
Now that we know more about cashews, let’s look at the health advantages of including them in your diet.
Cashew Nuts Promote a Healthy Heart
Cashews are high in antioxidants, which are beneficial to heart health. Researchers discovered that nuts like cashews are high in phytosterols and phenolic chemicals, which are good for heart health. Cashews, like many other nuts, contain unsaturated fatty acids and very few saturated fatty acids. These have anti-inflammatory effects on your body and help keep your heart healthy.
Cashew Nuts Reduce Cholesterol.
Cashews are beneficial to your health for a variety of reasons, including their ability to lower “bad” cholesterol levels.Â
A 2017 study discovered that high quantities of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the harmful cholesterol that you should avoid. Scientists have also determined that the saturated fat content of cashews does not affect blood fat levels.
Cashew nuts can naturally reduce blood pressure levels.
Cashews include minerals including magnesium and potassium, which assist control blood pressure and can benefit persons with hypertension. Some studies found that eating more cashews helped to lower systolic blood pressure without triggering weight gain.Â
The minerals in cashews strengthen the bones.
Cashew nuts include vitamins and minerals that support bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. Nuts are an excellent dietary supply of magnesium, which helps to maintain bone health. Two ounces of cashews provide around 160 milligrams of magnesium, which is approximately 40% of the recommended daily intake.
Summary
These kidney-shaped cashew nuts may help with a variety of diseases, ranging from the heart to the intestines. Eating cashews daily will provide you with the necessary nutrients.
If you keep cashews correctly in an airtight container, you may enjoy them all year. Just remember that too much of anything is dangerous. So you should monitor their usage. Otherwise, try these delightfully creamy nuts!
