The cashew is a popular and beloved fruit in Nigeria and the rest of the world. The cashew tree is widely distributed throughout most areas of the country, and there are many cashew plantations left standing today. The cashew comprises both the nut and the fleshy fruit, which are good for health. In this region of the world, roasting cashew nuts is a popular and entertaining activity for young people.
Cashews are members of the Anacardiaceae plant family, including mangoes. They are indigenous to Brazil's northern coastal regions. The cashew has a kidney-shaped fruit known by its botanical name, Anacarduim occidentale. Cashew is extensively grown in tropical areas; Nigeria, Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and other countries are common examples.
The proverb "health is wealth" implies that a person must be healthy to survive. Varying diets contribute to overall well-being; nutritious fruits like cashews should never be undervalued. Humans can benefit greatly from the medicinal properties of cashew trees, their bark, leaves, and fruit. Some of these properties include preventing diarrhoea, eliminating bacteria and germs, boosting libido, and lowering body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, and fever.
It makes sense that it is frequently referred to as "nature's vitamin pill" as it currently leads the world in nut production, with 4.1 billion pounds produced in 2002. For millennia, people have utilised it to improve wellness. Here are some health benefits suggested by NIH and USDA, keep reading!
8 Health Benefits Of Cashews
1. Good For Cardiovascular And Heart Health
Mounting data suggest that cashew nuts dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. In a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 300 adults who added 30g of raw cashews to their diet every day for 12 weeks saw improvements in their good cholesterol and lower blood pressure, suggesting that cashew nuts may be beneficial for heart health.
2. Cashews May Promote Weight Loss
Research indicates that consuming a moderate quantity of cashews daily does not appear to be associated with increased body weight, body mass index, or waist circumference, even though they contain quite high calories. This is mostly because they provide healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats, which increase metabolism and hasten the body's fat-burning process. Because of this, nutritionists suggest them, saying that they may increase thermogenesis, the body's process of producing heat, which makes them ideal for weight-watchers.
3. Ideal For Controlling Diabetes
Cashews ought to be among your staple meals if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing the disease. They are high in fibre and include monounsaturated fats that help boost HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Moreover, cashews' antioxidants lessen inflammation, the primary cause of Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Additionally, they won't raise your blood sugar because they are low in sugar.
4. Fantastic For Your Eyes Health
Eating cashews can protect your eyes from UV radiation and damage from oxidative stress brought on by the body's free radicals. According to this study, cashew nuts contain the antioxidant pigments zeaxanthin and lutein, which are vital in the fight against the damaging effects of light on the eyes. They may also lower the risk of cataract development and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and improve the health of people susceptible to low antioxidant status.
5. Cashews Are Excellent For Hair And Skin Health
Our skin and hair are coloured and kept healthy by the pigment melanin. Melanin synthesis depends on the element copper, and cashew nuts are a great source of copper! Similar to the benefits of a good sunscreen, a healthy quantity of melanin helps prevent skin damage and skin cancer by reflecting solar energy. The abundance of antioxidants in cashew nuts also protects against cellular damage, contributing to the outward manifestations of ageing.
6. Incredibly Rich In Minerals And Vitamins
Cashews are a great source of B vitamins and contain vitamins C and K. They are also an excellent way to replenish the body's supply of various trace elements, such as calcium, manganese, sodium, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium, which are necessary for sustaining health and vigour.
7. Excellent For Your Bones
One ounce of cashew nuts provides a whopping 67% of the daily required intake of copper, making them one of the best plant sources available. A poor bone mineral density associated with copper deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis. At the same time, manganese is necessary for bone density and prevents fractures; magnesium from cashews aids in the structural development of bone.
8. Helps With Prevention Of Cancer
Proanthocyanidins, a family of flavanols found in cashews, are rich in nutrients that starve tumours and prevent cancer cells from proliferating. Additionally, research has demonstrated that cashews can lower the risk of colon cancer. Cashews are a good source of phytochemicals and antioxidants that protect against cancer and heart disease. Their high copper content also allows the seed to eliminate free radicals effectively.
In technical terms, cashew nuts are seeds rather than nuts. In their rich, nutty flavour, cashews resemble almonds or peanuts. Once pureed, cashew butter could be difficult to tell from other nut butters, such as peanut butter. You can eat cashew nuts raw, roasted, or salted. Why not include them in your diet and reap their benefits?