Cashew offers many health advantages. As with other nuts, cashew contains protein, fiber and healthy fats – plus magnesium, iron, copper zinc manganese as essential minerals essential to human life and well-being. Let’s examine some of its many health advantages!
Health Benefits Of Cashew
1) Rich Source Of Antioxidants
Cashews are an excellent source of antioxidants, helping reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers while supporting skin health by stimulating cell regeneration. Other foods containing antioxidants include blueberries, strawberries, black beans, pomegranates, and apples.
2) Promotes Heart Health
Promoting Heart Health Cashews contain high amounts of monounsaturated fats that support heart health by lowering overall cholesterol levels, thus decreasing risk for heart disease. Monounsaturated fatty acids, known as “good fats,” help decrease bad cholesterol in bloodstream. Avocado, olive oil and peanut butter all contain abundant sources of these good lipids.
3) Supports Brain Function
Cashews are an excellent source of copper, an essential nutrient necessary for producing red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body and supporting brain function and warding off degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s. Plus, their abundant zinc content boosts brain power while simultaneously supporting immune health and hormone regulation.
4) Improves Eye Health
Cashews contain high amounts of vitamin E, which has many health benefits for eyesight including reduced macular degeneration risk and collagen production for wrinkle and fine line reduction. Other foods high in Vitamin E include almonds, olive oil, avocados and broccoli.
5) Cashews Are A Great Source Of Protein
One ounce of cashews provides 6 grams of protein – more than one third of your recommended daily amount! Protein is essential for building muscle mass and may help decrease belly fat. Other high-protein foods include almonds, beans, peanut butter and fish.
6) It May Help In Weight Loss And Fighting Obesity
Cashews contain high concentrations of monounsaturated fat and fiber that can help aid weight loss, as eating fiber-rich foods helps control blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin release from your body and can benefit those at risk for type 2 diabetes or those already living with it. Oats, yogurt, apples and avocados are other healthy fiber-rich food options worth eating!
Other Benefits
Cashew nuts are an excellent source of magnesium, an essential mineral needed for controlling blood pressure. In addition, their consumption promotes bone health while helping alleviate anxiety and improve sleep patterns.
Zinc found in cashews is essential to immune function and can reduce cold symptoms, as well as reduce inflammation and be beneficial in relieving acne symptoms.
Copper found in cashews is essential for iron absorption and may help protect against anemia.
Potassium found in cashews can help lower blood pressure and decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cashews are an excellent source of vitamin B6, an essential nutrient for maintaining proper nervous system function.
Magnesium found in cashews can help combat cramps and leg spasms.
Copper present in cashews can help prevent anemia, increase iron absorption and ease anxiety.
Zinc present in cashews can help strengthen immune systems and avoid colds and flu.
How To Include Cashew In Your Diet
Cashews can add flavor and texture to salads, oatmeal and yogurt dishes, and you can even turn them into nut butter by blending cashews with oil, salt and sweetener (if desired). They’re great in cashew cream too- just stir some into almond milk for an instant cashew cream fix or blend some into cashew cheese made of salted and nutritional yeast-packed cashews! Additionally they can be baked into desserts such as brownies or granola bars before adding them into trail mix snacks as a healthy snack option!
Side Effects Of Cashew
Although cashews are generally safe to eat, due to their high caloric and fat intake. According to the American Heart Association, eating up to 1/4 cup per day of cashews won’t do any lasting harm if eaten regularly; however, those at risk of heart disease or high cholesterol should limit consumption; those with diabetes should consume them sparingly as cashews contain large amounts of fats. If you are allergic to tree nuts it would also be wise to limit consumption as cashews belong to this same family.
Also Refer :- 7 Health Benefits Of Drinking Green Tea Daily
Conclusion
Cashews are an ideal snack choice due to their abundance of protein, fiber and healthy fats. In addition, cashews contain antioxidants, minerals and vitamins which provide numerous health benefits. Though high in calories and fat content may make cashews nutritious snacks, people with allergies to nuts should limit consumption of this nut family-related product.
