Since childhood, we have been fed a pretty common fun fact. It goes like this, whichever organ a nut resembles, eating that nut will benefit said organ immensely. Hence, walnuts for the brains, almonds for the eyes, and so on and so forth. And so, cashews were always related to the kidneys. These wholesome and yummy nuts were easily available and tasty to eat, and guess what, high on benefits too. But cashew benefits are not only limited to the kidneys. They offer a whole plethora of advantages for your skin, hair and health.
Yes, cashew benefits range from boosting heart health and aiding blood production to maintain skin health and even improving fertility. There are a lot of good things that cashews bring to our life. In this article, we will talk all about it.
What are the various cashews benefits?
Cashew nuts benefits are many, each better than the last. It not only helps clear out the system and ease various bodily functions but is also great at reducing stress and elevating the mood in general. Further, it is also good for the skin and also helps improve vision. Let’s take a closer look at all that it has to offer.
Cashews are a rich source of iron and copper, both essential nutrients for building blood and aid the production of red blood cells. This further helps in the production of hemoglobin which binds and supplies oxygen to various body parts. Cashews help elevate energy levels in the body with their ability to build blood.
Many people say that cashews are rich in fat. However, the truth is that cashews contain good fats, which, instead of affecting the heart in a negative manner, boosts its health. Cashew is full of monounsaturated and unsaturated fats that benefit the heart and also lower the cholesterol levels which helps keep the blood vessels in good health.
Cashews are a rich source of proanthocyanidins. It is a type of flavonol that is known to prevent the replication of cancer cells in the body. This is especially beneficial because the cancer cells replication process is specifically fast and once it starts, it is next to impossible to stop it. Cashews are also a rich source of copper and minerals, both of which are known to help prevent the possibility of colon cancer. Overall, having cashews on a regular basis will considerably cut down the chances of you having cancer.
Studies have proved that regular consumption of cashews helps reduce systolic blood pressure by about five points. This helps prevent the chances of having higher blood pressure.
Magnesium is known to be effective in treating migraine. It is also known to reduce the frequency of the attacks. Cashews are rich in the nutrient which makes the nerve cells less sensitive when the pain happens.
Gallstones happen when the cholesterol levels are extremely high. Cashews are rich in monounsaturated fats that help manage your cholesterol profile by increasing the good cholesterol and reducing the bad one. This overall helps prevent the formation of gallstones.
Again, due to the presence of monounsaturated or healthy fats, cashews aid in weight management. It helps mobiliise stored fats into free fatty acids wherein they are utilised. Because cashews are rich in copper, which aids metabolism, it also helps with thyroid function.
Cashew is rich in copper and vitamin C and both are essential for healthy and supple skin. It also helps maintain the levels of collagen and elastin in the skin, thus helping it stay youthful for a long time. Vitamin C further helps retain the supple elasticity of the skin and imparts radiance to it.
Cashews have an antioxidant zeaxanthin, which is instrumental in protecting the macula within the eyes from any damage. In fact, do you know that this particular antioxidant also serves as a UV filter and protects your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun? Regular intake of cashews can help improve your vision and even lower your power if you have one.
Cashew is rich in zinc and selenium, and both are known to be helpful in increasing sperm count and even improving its quality, at the same time improving libido. In a way, it is instrumental in improving fertility.
Cashew nuts are rich in amino acids. Many studies suggest that these acids have a positive effect on stress and anxiety, thus reducing tension. It also helps in getting better sleep. However, to claim that cashew nuts can help with depression would be incorrect. Yes, it is helpful in relieving mild stress and aids in better sleep, but no more. For anxiety and clinical depression, it is always better to consult a therapist and take the prescribed medicines. A good diet always helps but is never the medicine.
If you are thinking of going vegan, you’d be delighted to know that cashew nuts are vegan friendly. In fact, you can even create cheese out of it if you are lactose-intolerant. Many vegan and lactose-free dairy products are made using refined oil with no protein. However cashew cheese is an excellent option here. It not only provides immense nutrition, but also gives you the requisite taste, not at the cost of your veganism or lactose intolerance, whatever may be the case. In fact, cashew nuts can also be used to create high-protein nut milk. It is richer in protein as compared to macadamia milk.
The deficiency of iron leads to anemia. Cashew nuts are a rich source of the nutrient, thus preventing the chances of having the disorder. It also improves the immune system and helps better the functioning of the body's enzymes.
Regular consumption of cashew nuts or even application of cashew oil helps make your mane healthy and shiny. This happens due to the copper content present in the cashews. It aids in the production of melanin, thus making hair darker, stronger and more gorgeous. It also helps prevent premature greying.
FAQs on cashews benefits
Q. Should I have salted cashews?
A. Salted cashews can be consumed as snacks sometimes. But these are not nutritious. The best way to have cashew nuts is raw or unsalted, without any oils. The best you can do is bake or dry roast them.
Q. Who should not have cashew nuts?
A. Anyone who is allergic to tree nuts or even nuts, in general, should not consume cashew nuts. The best thing would be to ask your doctor first about it.
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Written by Kadambari Srivastava on 30th Mar 2021
A finance professional by degree who jumped into the world of content creation 7 years ago, Kadambari is a pro at spinning words, whether it's beauty, business, entertainment, or anything else. Better separate your 'its' from 'it's' when she is around. When she isn't writing, she can be seen with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other, keeping up with her book challenge of the year.