HEALTH BENEFITS OF CASHEW

The Cashew is native to Brazil, in the area between the Atlantic rain forest and the Amazon rain forest. The vegetation type of the region is dry forest, savannah woodland or thorn scrub, and includes the almost desert-like Caatinga. Cashew is sometimes referred to as a rainforest species and the nuts are found in products that have a rainforest friendly label or connotation. Although the trees will grow in tropical wet forests, they produce few nuts, and production is much greater in areas with a distinct wet and dry season, such as its native range in Brazil, India and East and West Africa.

The Portuguese brought the cashew to India and east Africa in the 16th century, after it was discovered in 1578. The Portuguese planted cashews in India initially to reduce erosion not for fruit production. Uses for the nut and pseudofruit, the cashew apple, weren’t developed until much later. The trees were well adapted to the region, and became naturalized. Trees also became naturalized in Central America, East and West Africa and the Caribbean islands.

Also known by the botanical name Anacardium occidentale, the cashew is a close relative of mangos, pistachios, poison ivy and poison oak. It was first introduced on a worldwide scale by Portuguese explorers in South America in the 16 th century, but international trade didn’t take off until the 1920s.

Sometimes called “nature’s vitamin pill,” cashew nuts, which now rank #1 among nut crops in the world with 4.1 billion pounds produced in 2002 , have been used to promote wellness for centuries.

The Wonders Of Cashew

The Heart

Cashew is high in antioxidants which in turn provides major cardiovascular benefits. Cashew as mentioned before contains monounsaturated fat which is in the form of oleic acid. It helps in the reduction of triglyceride level, a substance that causes major heart related problems and attacks. Cashew has been found to reduce LDL cholesterol by 10-20% thus preventing atherosclerosis and reducing the occurrence of plague formation in the arteries. Cashew is also a source of omega-3 fatty acid which is known for combating heart related problems and prevents cardiac arrhythmia. Thus a person suffering from heart problems must add cashews in his diet.

Prevents Cancer

Rich source of flavonoid makes cashew helpful against cancer. It contains a flavonoid called proanthocyanidins which inhibits the development of tumour and prevents the growth of cancer cells.

Rich Source Of Copper

Cashew is rich in copper. Copper helps in preventing free radicals thus helping in rejuvenating the skin and removes pigment. It also improves the flexibility in bones and joints. An enzyme present in copper called tyrosinase helps in the production of melanin providing color to skin and hair.

Strengthens Bones and Lowers The Blood Pressure

Magnesium in cashew helps in making the bones strong. It helps in providing the right posture of the bone structure for the body. Magnesium prevents the entry of calcium into the nerve cells thus providing proper functioning of the nervous system. Lack of intake of magnesium can lead to high blood pressure, migraines, tension and fatigue.

Inhibits Formation Of Gallstones

Gallstones are the generation of stone in the bladder due to the expansion of bile formation. The gallstones are largely made up of cholesterol. Scientific studies have found that consuming cashews can lower the chances of stones by 25%.

Other Health Benefits of Cashew

• Cashew prevents tooth decay and abscessed teeth. Research has also shown that chemicals in cashew nuts kill gram positive bacteria, a pervasive mouth affliction that causes tooth decay, acne, tuberculosis and leprosy. 
• Cashew contains good fat and one is unlike to gain weight by consuming cashews. High calories and high dietary fibre makes it a filling snack and helps in maintaining the body weight.
• Cashew is helpful in combating diabetes as cashew seed extracts helps in restricting the absorption of glucose in the body. Recent clinical trials have shows that cashews and other nuts work with a person’s lipid profile to have a beneficial effect on those with diabetes or at risk for diabetes.
  And with 37.7 percent of the daily recommended value of monounsaturated fats, cashews can reduce triglyceride levels in diabetics, protecting them from further complications.
  Integrating frequent nut consumption into your diet, especially raw cashews, may lower the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, the most commonly diagnosed form of diabetes in America today.
• Cashew contains zea-xanthin which helps in protection of the eyes from UV-rays and prevents age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).