Cashew or Kaju nuts are an integral component of many Indian dishes and commonly used as an ingredient base. Recently, these cashew-derived ingredients have become dairy alternatives such as cashew milk and cream production.
Cashews are kidney-shaped seeds sourced from Anacardium occidentale trees. This evergreen produces both an apple-like fruit and an everlasting nut which hangs below. Native to Brazil and later spread throughout Africa and India through pioneers, cashews can be found all year long when stored properly and offer long shelf lives for future consumption.
Cashew nuts, commonly referred to as seeds, possess an intensely rich nutty flavor similar to almonds and peanuts, making it hard to distinguish them when pureed from peanut butter spread. Cashews may be eaten raw, roasted or salted and their consumption should be in moderation for optimal health.
The Nutritional Profile Of Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are one of the most nutritious nuts available; however, due to their high calorie count they should not be consumed on an ongoing basis by dieters and individuals following diet plans. On top of calories they also boast significant health benefits – being rich in essential fatty acids (EPA & DHA), vitamin K2 & magnesium as well as other minerals and trace elements (Zinc).
- Essential fatty acids
- Vitamin E, Vitamin K, and Vitamin K
- Minerals – calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and folate
- Antioxidants
- Strands
- Proteins and carbs
Advantages of Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are packed with essential antioxidants and provide protein and carbs, all while being packed full of healthy fats, proteins, essential vitamins, and minerals for good measure. Consumed moderately they make for an ideal addition to a nutritious diet plan.
1: May Forestall Cardiovascular Diseases
Cashew nuts may seem counter-intuitive to many beliefs; however, they actually contain essential fatty acids, potassium and antioxidants which are beneficial to our heart health. Furthermore, cashews contain phytosterols, phenolic compounds and oleic acid which further support blood vessel health while strengthening them more than ever before.
Cashew nuts have anti-inflammatory properties which help lower LDL levels and raise HDL ones, as well as decrease internal inflammation that could increase risk for heart disease.
2: Help Bring Down The Blood Pressure
Cashew nuts are an excellent source of healthy unsaturated fats and essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and L-arginine. Their consumption helps significantly lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and relaxing blood flow through them.
3: May Forestall And Control Diabetes
Addition of cashew nuts can significantly help individuals with type 2 diabetes regulate their blood sugar level. Fiber helps prevent sudden spikes, so adding 3-4 cashews per day to your diet may be sufficient. Due to their high-calorie content, however, only three or four cashews should be eaten each day for best results.
4: Immunity Booster
Cashew nuts are packed with zinc and vitamins that provide essential immunity-enhancing nutrients, making them a powerful weapon against illness. Zinc plays a pivotal role in cell division. By regularly taking in zinc-rich cashews, your body receives sufficient amounts of this vital mineral – providing your immune system with vital protection.
5: It May Assist With Strengthening Bones
Cashew nuts provide us with all the minerals we require for healthy bones, and cashews contain plenty. Copper and calcium both strengthen bones while copper helps make our joints flexible by synthesizing collagen.
6: Help Boost Brain Capacities
Brain activity requires a steady supply of essential fatty acids from diet. Cashew nuts contain nutritional components which could potentially aid brain capacity enhancement and memory enhancement. For optimal brain development, overnight-soaked cashews may provide extra benefits.
7: Help Control Weight
Cashew nuts are often enjoyed as snacks or as an ingredient in nut blends, offering many of the same health benefits found in other nuts. Cashews contain calories, proteins and filaments which make you feel full for longer and help curb cravings – but since nuts contain many calories it is wise to consume them only occasionally.
8: Good For Health
Cashew nuts provide a natural oil which is high in selenium, zinc, iron and antioxidants – helping keep skin looking young and fresh! Copper helps with the creation of elastin and collagen for improved elasticity of skin.
9: Beneficial For Hair
Beneficial to Hair Copper found in cashew nuts helps produce melanin pigment that enhances hair shade, while essential fatty acids help your locks appear radiant and healthy.
10: Good For Eye Health
Cashews can help protect eye health with their high concentration of zeaxanthin and lutein antioxidants, which serve as natural defenses from UV rays. Their colors naturally occur within our eyes as an important defense mechanism against damaging light – potentially decreasing risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract formation.
11: May Increase Male Richness
Cashew nuts contain zinc which is essential in developing male fertility and fruitfulness chances. Furthermore, regularly eating cashew can assist with controlling weight and diabetes management which will enhance male richness significantly.
12.Easy To Add To Your Diet
Cashews are an easy addition to your diet and can be consumed roasted, salted or raw. They can also be added into various savory and sweet dishes as either whole nuts, ground up pieces or as paste-like consistency. Furthermore, you may enjoy them as cashew margarine on toast, pancakes, oatmeal or parathas or used for energy balls using cashew margarine, roasted oatmeal, seared fruits along with honey or jaggery as the binding agents.
Vegans can utilize cashews to create vegan cream cheese by mixing it with apple juice vinegar and lemon juice. Once complete, this cheese can be used in cheesecakes or any number of tasty cream cheese-based treats.
