The market for alternative milk is thriving. Previously dominated by soy and rice products, this market now includes a variety of nut-based milks, each with its own distinct flavour and nutritional benefits. Cashew milk is an excellent alternative, offering a low-calorie option with a creamier consistency than other nut milks.
Cashew milk has an earthy flavour. The cashews are shelled and toasted first. They are then soaked in filtered water. They are then ground into a paste before being combined with water. The final product is the liquid produced by straining this pulp.
Its thick texture makes it ideal for drinking or mixing into cereal. It can also be used in baking and a variety of other uses. Apart from this, cashew milk is extremely nutritious. Here is a list of the benefits you can get.
1. Packed With Nutrients
Cashew milk is high in healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. The majority of the fat in this highly nutritious milk is from unsaturated fatty acids, which improve heart health and provide other benefits.
Commercial cashew milks are typically fortified with vitamins and minerals and contain higher levels of certain nutrients than homemade versions. They do, however, provide less fat and protein and do not include fibre. Store-bought varieties may also contain oils, preservatives, and added sugars. Because homemade cashew milks do not need to be strained, their fibre content is higher. They're also high in magnesium, which is essential for many bodily processes such as nerve function, heart health, and blood pressure regulation.
All cashew milks are naturally lactose-free and can be used in place of cow's milk for those who have digestive issues with dairy.
Homemade milk contains less protein, calcium, and potassium than cow's milk, but it contains more healthy unsaturated fats, iron, and magnesium.
2. Aids Heart Health
Cashew milk contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which means that consuming it will lead to better heart health than consuming less healthy products. Cashew milk also contains magnesium and potassium, which have been shown in studies to help boost and prevent heart disease. In fact, studies have shown that consuming potassium can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 24%. Cashew has also been shown in studies to help reduce the risk of many heart disease triggers, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and cholesterol. It also helps with inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular activity. Cashew milk also contains phytosterol compounds that prevent plaque formation within artery walls.
3. Improves Bone Health
Cashew milk has been shown in studies to protect against bone demineralization due to high levels of magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Cashew milk is also a good bone-building food due to its high vitamin K content. In fact, a single serving of cashew milk can supply up to 12% of the daily vitamin K requirement. Making cashew milk a part of your daily diet can help prevent vitamin K deficiency. Furthermore, when combined with other essential nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin K helps to maintain good bone health by promoting mineralization and bone density maintenance. Good bone health is essential for overall wellness because it lowers the risk of bone fractures.
4. Helps Eye Health
Because cashews contain antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein, drinking cashew milk on a regular basis can help reduce cellular damage caused by free radicals in the eyes. There is a link between poor retinal health and low levels of zeaxanthin and lutein in the blood, according to research.
Other research has found that eating foods high in zeaxanthin and lutein can help reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause vision loss. Researchers discovered that people with high levels of zeaxanthin and lutein in their blood are 40% less likely to develop advanced AMD. High antioxidant consumption may also reduce the risk of cataracts in the elderly.
5. Anti-cancer Properties
Cashew milk has been shown in studies to help prevent the development of some cancer cells. Anacardic acid, a powerful antioxidant, protects the body from the high levels of damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are extremely damaging to body cells and can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to cell mutation, DNA damage, and the development of a cancerous tumour. According to research, regularly consuming cashew products can help prevent certain cancers such as prostate, colon, skin, breast, and liver.
6. Boosts Immunity
Cashew milk is high in zinc and antioxidants, which may help boost immunity. It has been shown in studies to help reduce inflammation in the body, resulting in improved immunity.
Furthermore, zinc, a key nutrient in cashew milk, can aid the body in the creation of immune cells that fight infections and diseases. Low levels of zinc in the blood have been linked to an increase in the presence of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP).
7. Good For Skin
Cashew milk contains a lot of copper. As a result, consuming cashew milk on a regular basis provides the benefits of consuming copper, such as the production of skin proteins for optimal skin health. It also aids in the regulation of elastin and collagen production, two essential proteins that contribute to skin strength and elasticity.
Skin experts advise people to keep their collagen levels high to maintain healthy skin. It has also been demonstrated that a lack of collagen in the body can cause rapid skin ageing. Making cashew milk a regular part of your diet will not only boost your skin's natural collagen production but will also keep it looking young and healthy.