The cashew tree is native to Brazil, where its fruit is
considered a delicacy. In the 16th century, the
Portuguese introduced them to Indiaand some
African countries, where they are nowalso grown.
What we call the cashew nutrientsnut is actually the seed of
this fruit. Cashews are rich in iron, phosphorus,
selenium, magnesium and zinc. They are also good
sources of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and
protein.
Here are seven health benefits of cashews.
1. Cancer Prevention
Cashews are ripe with proanthocyanidi ns, a classof
flavanols that actually starve tumors and stop cancer
cells from dividing. Studies have also shown that
cashews can reduce your colon cancer risk. Their
high copper content also endows the seed with the
power to eliminate free radicals and they are also
good sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants
that protect us from heart disease and cancer.
2. Heart Health
Cashews have a lower fat content than most other
nuts and most of it is in the form of oleic acid, the
same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in
olive oil. Studies show that oleic acid promotes good
cardiovascular health by helping to reduce
triglyceride levels, high levels of which are associated
with an increased risk for heart disease. Cashews
are wonderfully cholesterol free and their high
antioxidant content helps lower risk of
cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. The
magnesium in cashews helps lower blood pressure
and helps prevent heart attacks.
3. Hair and Skin Health
Cashews are rich in the mineral copper. An essential
component of many enzymes, copper plays its part
in a broad array of processes. Onecopper-containi
ng enzyme, tyrosinase, converts tyrosine to melanin,
which is the pigment that gives hair and skin its
color. Without the copper cashews are so abundant
in, these enzymes would not be able to do their
jobs.
4. Bone Health
Cashews are particularly rich in magnesium. It's a
well-known fact that calcium is necessary forstrong
bones, but magnesium is as well. Most of the
magnesium in the human body is in our
bones.Some of it helps lend bones their physical
structure, and the remainder is located on the
surface of the bone where it is stored for the body
to use as it needs. Copper found in cashewsis vital
for the function of enzymes involved in combining
collagen and elastin, providing substance and
flexibility in bones and joints.
5. Good for the Nerves
By preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells
and activating them, magnesium keeps our nerves
relaxed and thereby our blood vessels andmuscles
too. Too little magnesium means too much calcium
can gain entrance to the nerve cell, causing it to
send too many messages, and leading to too much
contraction.
Insufficient magnesium leads to higher blood
pressure, muscle tension, migraine headaches,
soreness and fatigue. Not surprisingly, studies have
demonstrated that magnesium helps diminish the
frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood
pressure and helps prevent heart attacks.
6. Prevent Gallstones
Data collected on 80,718 women from the
Nurses'Health Study demonstrates that women who
eat at least an ounce of nuts each week, such as
cashews, have a 25% lower risk of developing
gallstones.
7. Weight Loss
People who eat nuts twice a week are much less
likely to gain weight than those who rarely eat nuts.
Cashew nuts are indeed relatively high in fat, but it is
considered "good fat." This is attributable to the
ideal fat ratio in the nut, 1:2:1 for saturated,
monounsaturated , and polyunsaturated ,
respectively, which is recommended by scientists for
tip-top health. Cashew nuts contain less fat than
most other popular nuts, including peanuts, pecans,
almonds and walnuts. They are dense in energy and
high indietary fiber, making them a very valuable
_snackfor managing weight gain.
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