Nuts are great, but cashews are even greater. Unfortunately, scientists haven’t found these nuts extremely interesting, and only a small number of studies were based on the nutritious properties provides by cashews. They require humid and hot climate, and most of the produce grows in Tanzania, Nigeria, Brazil and Mozambique.
Benefits of Cashews
Cashews are rich in calories. A serving of 50 grams contains 275 calories. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, soluble fiber, and phytochemicals that prevent numerous diseases and even cancer.
Improve Cardiovascular Health
Palmitoleic and oleic acids in cashews are great for the cardiovascular health. These essential fats lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and normalize good (HDL) cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats are essential part of the Mediterranean diet, which is beneficial for overall health, and prevent coronary artery disease and sudden stroke by regulating blood lipids, as shown in numerous scientific studies.
Provide Essential Minerals
Cashews are an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium, and iron. Eat a healthy serving of cashews to get the recommended amount of these minerals and prevent deficiency-related diseases. A handful of cashews per day is just enough. Selenium is an imperative micronutrient, and it is one of the co-elements of anti-cancer compounds like Glutathione peroxides, known to be one of the best cell reinforcements in the organism. Copper is a co-variable for vital catalysts like cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase. Zinc participates in compounds that control the advancement of processing, DNA union and gonadal capacity.
B Vitamins
Cashews contain pyridoxine (vitamin B6), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), thiamin (vitamin B11), and riboflavin. A serving of 100 grams provides 30% of the recommended daily intake of B6 (0.147mg). Vitamin B6 reduces the risk of homocystinuria and sideroblastic anemia. Niacin protects against dermatitis and pellagra. Each of these vitamins is essential for the metabolism of fat, protein and carbs. They have also been found to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Those eating the nuts experienced a decrease in systolic blood pressure of nearly 5 points.
Antioxidants
Cashews also contain small amounts of zeaxanthin. This antioxidant is assimilated in the retinal macula. It protects against dangerous UV rays and age-related macular degeneration in elderly.
Are cashews antidepressants?
Cashews are considered to be the best alternative remedy for depression. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, and cashews are full of it. Amino acids support healthy development in children, promote good sleep, and treat anxiety, nervousness and depression.
Two handfuls of cashews provide about 1,500mg of tryptophan, which is exactly the same amount contained in prescription antidepressants. Cashew therapies are the only way healing therapy that does not cause side effects, which is not the case of conventional antidepressants. But, the Big Pharma does not want you to know this.
Allergic reaction to cashew nuts
Most allergic reactions to cashew nut, such as other food allergies, manifest with skin lesions followed by respiratory and gastro-intestinal symptoms. These nuts can trigger allergic reactions in individuals at any age. Moreover, cashew nut allergy is quite common, same as the allergies caused by walnuts, almonds and other nuts. Same as peanuts, even a couple of cashews can sometimes cause severe symptoms of allergy.
Cashew nuts allergens are apparently highly potent and can cause relatively severe reactions. They are a relatively common cause of anaphylaxis and can cause death. Avoidance of pistachio nuts must currently be advised in case of a cashew nut allergy, but advice of avoidance of other related allergens needs further investigation.
Cashews calories
Despite their many health advantages, cashews are best to enjoy in moderation because they are very calorie dense. Cashews provide about 157 calories in one ounce, which is about 16-18 whole cashews. Another way of looking at it is that a single cup of whole cashews and halves contains nearly 800 calories. Because of this, “portion control is key.”
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