Cashew Benefits: Importance in Various Health Conditions

Cashew Benefits, Plant Description, Nutrition data, Scientific Classification, Regional Names, Uses in various Health Conditions, possible Side Effects and FAQ

What is Cashew?

Cashew nuts are a dried fruit rich in many nutrients. Cashew nuts are plants belonging to the ‘Anacardiaceae’ family. Cashew is native to mainly the coastal areas of northeast Brazil. Cashew nuts are kidney shaped seeds that are widely cultivated in tropical climates. Cashew nuts are generally grown in countries like India, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

cashew benefits

Since the cashew have enough healthy nutrients, the benefits are the growth of the heart, improve the health of the muscles and nerves, improve the health of the muscles and the nerves, the risk of diabetes (especially type-2 diabetes), the health of the brain and the development of all the organs, the development of all the blood cells, the development of all the organs of the blood vessels, balanced hormones etc.

Health Benefits of Cashew

Plant description

Cashew plant is an evergreen plant bearing apples which bears external seeds called ‘cashew’. It can grow to a height of 12 meters (40 feet) in fertile soil. The leaves are oval shaped. Size of the fruit may be up to 2.5 centimetre (more than 1 inch). 

The following article explains the health benefits of Cashew and related other important things.

Read Also: Amazing Health Benefits of Guava

Nutritional value of 100 g of Cashew 

  • Energy – 553 Kcal (2,310 Kj)
  • Carbohydrates – 30.19 g
  • Starch – 23.49 g
  • Sugar – 5.91 g
  • Dietary Fiber – 3.3 g
  • Fat- 43.85 g
    • Saturated- 7.783 g
    • Monounsaturated – 23.797 g
    • Polyunsaturated – 7.845 g
  • Protein- 18.22 g
  • Vitamin- 
    • Vitamin B1- 0.423 mg
    • Vitamin B2- 0.058 mg
    • Vitamin B3- 1.062 mg
    • Vitamin B5- 0.86 mg
    • Vitamin B6- 0.417 mg
    • Vitamin B9- 25 μg
    • Vitamin C- 0.5 mg
    • Vitamin E- 0.90 mg
    • Vitamin K- 34.1 μg
  • Minerals- 
    • Calcium- 37 mg
    • Copper- 2.2 mg
    • Iron- 6.68 mg
    • Magnesium- 292 mg
    • Manganese- 1.66 mg
    • Phosphorus- 593 mg
    • Potassium- 660 mg
    • Selenium- 19.9 μg
    • Sodium- 12 mg
    • Zinc- 5.78 mg
    • Water- 5.20 g

Different Regional Names of Cashew 

  • Assamese: kaju
  • Tamil: Mundhiri Paruppu / Andiparippu
  • Malayalam: Andiparippu / Kashuvandiparippu / Parangi Andi
  • Telugu: Jeedipappu
  • Kannada: Godambi / Geru Beeja
  • Hindi: Kaju
  • Bengali: Hijli Badam
  • Gujarati: Kaju
  • Marathi: Kaju
  • Odia: Kaju / Lanka Anbumani / Kaju Badam
  • Punjabi: Kaju
  • Kashmiri: Kaju

Scientific Classification of Cashew 

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Tracheophytes
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Clade: Rosids
  • Order: Sapindales
  • Family: Anacardiaceae
  • Genus: Anacardium
  • Species: A. Occidentale
  • Scientific Name: Anacardium occidentale

Health Benefits of Cashew

  1. Prevents Heart Disease

Cashew nuts are a great source of dietary fat. These fats need to be absorbed by the body in nutrients such as fatty vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as essential fatty acids that help brain development and prevent blood clotting. Healthy fats in cashew nuts LDL helps in reducing cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is extremely harmful as it can lead to various cardiovascular diseases and reducing its amount in the blood helps in significantly reducing the risk of heart disease.

Cashew nuts increase the level of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body, lower blood pressure, and reduce triglyceride, all of which contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system.

  1. Reduces the risk of type-2 Diabetes

Cashew is good for diabetic patients as it regulates blood sugar levels by managing insulin. Cashew nuts even help reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

  1. Works as a Cancer Chemo-preventive Agent

Cashew nuts contain a variety of antioxidants such as anacardic acids, cardols, and cardinals, for which they are very effective for people undergoing treatment for cancer or tumors. Many cancer patients are advised to take cashew nuts as they are a rich source of protein that the body can easily absorb.

  1. Promotes the development of Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Red blood cells (RBC) are one of the most important types of cells in the blood as it helps to transport oxygen from the lungs to the brain and other organs. Cashew is rich in copper, which helps in maintaining iron metabolism, RBC formation, and immune system health and effectiveness at all times.

Having a favorable level of RBC in the body improves organ function, reduces the risk of tissue damage, and overall increases energy. Without RBCs, organs begin to deteriorate. Moreover, copper is an important nutrient for the body as without it, there may be a risk of anemia, osteoporosis and irregular heart rate.

  1. Reduce the risk of Anemia

Cashew contains iron. This nutrient helps in transporting oxygen to different organs throughout the body, as well as the way the body enzymes work. Making cashew nuts a regular part of the diet can help prevent fatigue, anemia, and even reduce sensitivity to random body infections. Eating just a few nuts daily can really go a long way for your body health.

  1. Boosts Bone and Oral health

Cashew contains phosphorus, which is required for healthy bone and tooth development. Phosphorus is also required to properly synthesize protein, absorb carbohydrates from food, and absorb fat in the maintenance of cellular health.

  1. Boosts Immune System

Cashew nuts contain high amounts of zinc, which is very essential in increasing the immune system. It helps in strengthening the system against microbial infections, helps in wound healing and protein synthesis. Pregnant women are often suggested to eat cashew nuts as it can help in the growth of the baby.

Read Also: Immune System of Human Body

  1. Helps Boost Brain Functions

The brain is the most active organ in our body that needs a steady supply of fatty acids through diet to stay active. Cashew nuts contain brain booster nutrients that can help boost brain function and keep your memory sharp. To improve brain function, you can eat overnight soaked cashews.

  1. Helps control Weight

Cashew nuts are consumed as snacks and are also used in almond mixture. Cashew nuts contain high amounts of calories, protein and fiber that fill you for a long time and control your cravings. But since nuts are high in calories, it is essential to consume them in a limited quantity.

  1. Beneficial For Hair

The copper present in the cashew helps in making hair pigment-melanin which enhances hair color. Essential fatty acids can keep your hair glowing and healthy.

Read Also: How to Maintain Healthy Hair – 20+ Tips and Home Remedies

  1. Good for Eye-Health

Cashew nuts contain zeaxanthin and lutein which are antioxidants that protect against UV rays. Antioxidant pigments are naturally in the eye and are an essential defense against damaging light and can reduce the risk of Age-related Macular Destination (AMD) and cataracts.

  1. May Increase Male Fertility

Cashew nuts contain zinc which is essential for improving the number of sperms and chances of fertility in men. Also, regular consumption of cashew nuts can help control weight and diabetes which significantly increases male fertility.

  1. Help lower the Blood Pressure

Cashew nuts contain healthy unsaturated fats and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and L-arginin. This helps in significantly reducing blood pressure by expanding your blood vessels.

Read Also: Abnormal Blood Pressure – Symptoms, Causes and Remedies

Uses of Cashew

Cashew nuts can be eaten whole or fried with a little salt.  Cashew nuts are used in various Asian rice dishes like biryani, pulao etc. Cashew paste is used in different types of food dishes like cheese, meat, fish etc. A variety of sweets are made from cashew nuts and a variety of sweet dishes and cakes, biscuits etc. are also used.

Side Effects of Cashew

Apart from having many benefits of cashew nuts, overuse of it can lead to deterioration of health. The side effects caused by excessive cashew eating are:

  • Kidney stones: Cashew contains oxalate salts, which mess with the way calcium is absorbed in the body. Excess of unabsorbed calcium can cause kidney stones.
  • Allergies: Most people are allergic to nuts. Hence cashews are basically nuts, these allergies can range from severe to mild. A type of allergy that can occur is called contact dermatitis, causing blemishes and itching on the skin when exposed to cashew nuts. Allergies from cashew nuts can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in the form of nausea, cough, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea and pain. Many patients suffer from breathing difficulties when they have an allergic reaction to cashew nuts. However, the most serious reaction to cashews is Anaphylaxis. It is a quick reaction that can take over the whole body if not careful. This can lead to loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and neck, and even paleness. Treatment is definitely needed if this happens. 
  • In addition, overeating cashew nuts can lead to stomach bloating, weight gain, and joint swelling.

NOTE: It should be used in the right quantity keeping in view the benefits and disadvantages of cashew nuts as excessive use of any product can harm our health. The above mentioned information is provided only for general knowledge based on the information. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using cashew nuts in the medicinal field in curing the disease.

Conclusion

The above article provided some important and useful information about Cashew nuts and the health benefits it holds. This information is based on trusted sources and folk beliefs. Please consult a specialist or doctor before applying these methods (if you are suffering from any serious health condition).

FAQ

Q. What are the benefits of cashew nuts?

Ans: The benefits of cashew nuts are to prevent heart disease, Improving muscle and nerve health, reducing the risk of diabetes (especially type-2 diabetes), working as a cancer-resistant agent, developing vital red blood cells that help transport oxygen to all parts of the body, reducing the risk of anemia, boosting bone and mouth health, preventing gallstones and to increase the immune system.

Q.  Is cashew nuts good as a remedy for anemia?

Ans: Cashew contains iron. This nutrient helps in transporting oxygen to different organs throughout the body, as well as the way the body enzymes work. Making cashew nuts a regular part of the diet can help prevent fatigue, anemia and even reduce sensitivity to random body infections.

Q. Cashew nuts belong to which family?

Ans: Cashews are the plants belonging to the ‘Anacardiaceae’ family.

Q. What is the scientific name of Cashew?

Ans: The scientific name of cashew is ‘Anacardium occidentale’.

Q. How much cashew nut do cashew plants produce?

Ans: Depending on the stage of life at which the cashew tree is and how large it is, cashew plants can produce up to 50 kg of nuts a year.

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