Health Benefits of Cashews
Health Benefits of Cashews
Cashews are seeds of cashew apples that grow in the tropical tree, Anacardium occidentale, native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Cashews are considered nuts. Cashews come in a variety of products such as cashew flour, cashew milk and cashew butter.
Cashews have been used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments including poor heart health and diabetes.
Cashews contains essential vitamins and minerals including copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, iron, selenium, thiamine, vitamin K, and vitamin B6.
Cashews copper content contains 69% of the daily recommended value that may help with a healthy brain development, energy production and strong immune system.
Cashews are a good source of protein. Cashews may also help promote weight loss.
Cashews are rich in antioxidants including polyphenols and carotenoids.
Cashews are rich in unsaturated fats that may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cashews may promote bone health due to its rich magnesium and manganese content.
Cashews may prevent type 2 diabetes and may regulate blood sugar levels.
Cashews may help prevent gallstones. Studies have shown that eating cashews weekly may help lower the risk of gallstones.
Cashews may also support brain function, cognitive function and mood regulation.
Cashews may also promote skin health.
If you are allergic to cashews and other tree nuts then please do not consume.
Cashews are lectins. Lectins are an anti-nutrient protein that binds to certain carbs. The GI tract has trouble breaking down lectins and may lead to impairing digestion, reducing nutrient absorption, cause inflammation in your immune system and disrupt the balance in your microbiome. This may affect people who have an autoimmune disease.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-cashews-good-for-you
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cashews