Health benefits of kaju cashew nuts
What are cashew nuts?
Cashew nuts are the fruit of the cashew tree, an exotic tree which now inhabits many areas of the world.
The official origin of the cashew nut is thought to be Brazil, but there are also mentions in Indian and South East Asian history which states that the tree was able to grow and thrive in their tropical climates.
Today, we know them as a tasty, satisfying snack or as a versatile ingredient used in cooking for sauces or in butter.
However, it’s probably a little known fact that in their natural form, cashew nuts can be quite toxic and cannot be consumed until they’ve been roasted.
Are cashew nuts toxic?
Cashew nuts themselves aren’t toxic, but the kidney-shaped shell surrounds it consists of a toxic oil called urushiol.
Urushiol in cashew nuts may cause contact dermatitis, this means that coming into contact urushiol can cause:6
- Itching of the skin
- Blisters
- Skin rashes
The good news is that the toxins which are created by urushiol can be eliminated through roasting.
This is why raw cashews are processed in such a meticulous way.
Because raw cashews are processed in such a careful and meticulous way, it’s rare that someone will accidentally consume a contaminated nut and develop dermatitis.
This labour-intensive process is one of the reasons behind the high price of cashews. But also, why it has such a high status in the nut world!
Are cashew nuts good for you?
Yes, absolutely.
Cashews contribute to a great level of protein and are a good source of minerals such as iron and zinc, which makes them an excellent addition to your vegetarian or vegan diet.8
Cashews are also rich in magnesium, a mineral which is thought to improve recall and delay, age-related memory loss.
Not only that, but they’re great if you add a handful to a vegetarian stir-fry or use as a nut butter on crackers or bread.
Health benefits of cashews
Cashews are linked to a wide variety of health benefits, including:
May improve heart health
People who eat diets high in nuts, including cashews, are less at risk of heart disease than those who don’t
This is thought to be because Cashew nuts are particularly high in unsaturated fats, which have been linked to lower heart disease in some studies.
In addition to this, cashews are also a great source of fibre and contain almost the same protein as an equivalent quantity of cooked meat.
May lower cholesterol
Cashew nuts seem to lower the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body and increase the amount of ‘good’ cholesterol.
This is very much down to the fact that cashews are low in unsaturated fat, meaning that by default they should help you lower cholesterol when used as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
May lower blood sugar
For the same reason as above, those who eat cashew nuts as part of a well-balanced diet may see a reduction in blood sugar.
A 2018 study showed that people with diabetes who ate cashew nuts every day had lower blood sugar than their counterparts who didn’t.
Contains antioxidants
Like many nuts and seeds, cashew nuts are packed full of antioxidants that can help keep your body healthy by fighting off free radicals that enter the body.
This can help reduce inflammation and support your body to keep free from disease.
May help you lose weight
As a rule, nuts are generally high in calories and fats making them a bit limited for those on a diet.
However, some research has linked nut-rich diets to weight loss and overall lower body weight than those that leave them out altogether.
It is thought that your body may only digest around 84% of the calories of a cashew, it is therefore thought likely some of the fat remains in the nuts compound wall, known as the fibrous, rather than being digested.
Easy addition to the diet
Last, but by no means least.
Cashews make a really easy, versatile, healthy snack that can be eaten by themselves or as part of a stir fry, soup, salad or any dish you wish to add them.
They can be eaten raw or roasted, unshelled obviously!
But keep in mind that salted or flavoured cashews can add more salt and oils, which will see the calorie and fat contain climb significantly.
| Brand | Foods.shopkruz |
|---|---|
| Region Produced In | INDIAN |
| Form | Whole |
| Manufacturer | foods.shopkruz |
| Item part number | FSCOM-211 |
| Net Quantity | 250.0 gram |
| Product Dimensions | 9 x 10 x 15 cm; 250 Grams |
| Country of Origin | India |
