Cashew nuts – Tasty seeds that form an Healthy Snack

We have seen the health benefits and the usage of Almonds and Pistachios nuts. In this post we will discuss about cashew nuts.

Colorful Cashew fruits in a tree, in Kannur, Kerala, India
Photo by: Vinayaraj

This kidney shaped seeds stick to the bottom of the cashew apple. In India it is called KAAJU. 

Cashew Nuts are a native of Brazil’s Amazon forest. Today it is cultivated in many parts of the world – Mainly Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Philippines etc.

Mostly cashew nuts are used in preparing cakes, sweets, biscuits etc. Roasted nuts are very popular among us. 

Cashews are nutritiously dense with variety of essential fats and proteins, vitamins and minerals which can bring a number of health benefits to our body.

Many people avoid eating of cashews because of its fat content. In fact cashews contain fat less than other nuts. And also contain only unsaturated fat. This fat can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.

The proanthocyanidins a class of flavonols, contained in this nut help to fight against tumour cells by stopping them to divide further. Cashews contain less fat, cholesterol free and the antioxidants present in these nuts keep away heart diseases. With sources of magnesium cashew helps lower blood pressure. 

Cashew helps to keep up healthy bones because of calcium and magnesium contents. And help to keep healthy teeth and strong gum.

Women preparing Cashew for packaging,
Africa

All nuts including cashews have been associated with a reduced risk of gallstone disease. Recent study shows cashews like other nuts work with a person’s lipid profile to have a beneficial effect on diabetes.

This nut can reduce triglyceride levels in diabetes protecting them from further complications. Consumption of cashews especially raw cashew in our diets may lower the risk of type II diabetes.

Fried Cashew Nuts
Photo by: Midori

Cashews can be eaten as a snack with other nuts as raw, salted or roasted. These nuts are widely used in confectionery as addition to biscuits, cakes, sweets etc.

Precaution: it is advised to consume only limited quantity of cashews. And also better to take along with other nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios or along with other dishes. Do not eat too many at a time. 

For some people cashew nuts may cause allergy. Individual with known allergic reactions to these cashew nuts may observe caution while eating especially raw. Cashew allergy is a common condition in some individual.

Hope I have given few benefits and usages of cashews. If any of you know more please free to mention here so that others may know more about this nut.