Don’t we all like munching on cashews? Cashews are a delicious nut that was originally found in Brazil. They are technically not a nut, but the seed of an evergreen cashew apple tree. There are thousands of cashew benefits for health and body. As one of the most easily recognizable nuts globally with its distinct moon shape, and creamy white in colour, the benefits of eating cashew nuts are manifold.
Cashews can be incorporated in gravies and baked goods, thus lending a distinct creamy taste. Cashew cannot be eaten in the raw form- the ones that we get in the market are usually slightly steamed or roasted. Also, the external cover of the cashew should not be consumed since it is poisonous. Also, remember to limit your daily intake to 5-6 cashews.
Cashew Benefits
Here are a few reasons why you should start munching cashews if you don't.
1. Health Benefits of Cashews
Cashews are wholesome food and there are manifold benefits of eating cashews. It contains magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus. These minerals are essential for the body but not easily found in various foods consumed by us regularly. Cashews are rich in phytosterols- which prevents the body from absorbing bad cholesterol. It is also high in calories and low in fibre content while being rich in essential fats, vitamins, and antioxidants.
2. Cashew Benefits For Heart Functions
Cashews are low in fat and cholesterol content, yet rich in nutrients. Moderate consumption of cashew reduces the chance of various cardiovascular diseases.
3. Keeps the Blood Pressure in Check
Cashew contains high quantity of unsaturated fat and its consumption helps in increasing the good cholesterol, while reducing the LDL or bad cholesterol.
4. Strengthens The Body’s Immune System
One of the most important cashew benefits for health is in boosting your body’s immunity. Zinc is an important nutrient that contributes to your immune system, and daily consumption of cashew will help you meet the requirement.
5. Prevents Cancer
Cashews are a rich source of antioxidants and help in reducing the free radicals in the body, thus, prevent the growth of cancerous cells.
6. Gallstones Occurrence Can be Prevented
Gallstones commonly afflict women, and regularly eating cashew benefits the deposition of cholesterol and other minerals in the gall bladder.
7. Strengthens Bone
An important health benefit of cashew is strengthening the bones, since it contains magnesium and copper, which assists in the production of collagen and maintaining bone flexibility.
8. Protects the Eyes
With an increasing number of women now choosing to work from home, thus a lot of time is spent staring at the laptop and phones, and it can lead to eyesight damage. Zeaxanthin is an important pigment that is produced due to the consumption of cashews, and it protects the retina from the damaging UV rays too.
9. Manage Diabetes
Cashews, though, rich in calories are extremely beneficial for those suffering from type-2 diabetes, as it helps in increasing glucose uptake by the bloodstream. This is one of the most useful cashew benefits.
10. Prevents anemia
Cashew nuts contain high quantity of iron and copper. The deficiency of iron leads to anemia and it can lead to a number of health issues and is an especially common issue among women.
Cashew Benefits For Skin
A healthy body obviously contributes to your overall beauty. There are numerous cashew benefits for skin.
1. Glowing Skin
We all want flawless skins and sometimes we are too lazy to try the various skin products and DIY face packs. Just eating a couple of cashews daily can lead to glowing skin and free of pimples and acne. This is one of the most useful cashew benefits as you can achieve that flawless glowing skin by just eating some tasty nuts.
2. Weight Loss
Cashews help in curbing hunger pangs, thereby leading to weight loss. Moderate consumption of cashews benefits you to maintain your waistline, even though it is high in calorie content.
3. Luscious Locks
This delicious nut helps prevent premature greying, hair fall, and makes the hair texture soft and smooth.
4. Keeps Stretch Marks at Bay
A side-effect of pregnancy is stretch marks and no woman likes them. Pregnant women can incorporate cashew nuts in their diet, which is also a rich source of vitamin C.
5. Prevents the Appearance of Signs of Ageing
Free radicals lead to the formation of wrinkles and lines on our face. Signs of ageing can traumatize any lady, but adding cashew to your diet can help solve this crisis.
Other Benefits of Eating Cashew Nuts
Here are some of the other benefits off cashew nuts that are worth sharing.
1. Can be Eaten by Those on Vegan and Vegetarian Diet
Cashews are rich sources of Omega-3 which is usually found in fish oil, but it is inconsumable by vegetarians and vegans. Cashew can provide this essential fat to these people. Vegans can have cashew cream, cashew butter, and cashew milk since it is equally delicious and healthy. It is also an excellent source of protein for those who cannot eat animal protein.
2. Allowed in the Keto Diet
Moderate consumption of cashew is allowed in the extremely popular Keto diet. You can have 4-5 cashews regularly.
3. Makes You Feel Happy
Cashews benefits include treatment of anxiety and depression since they contain mood-enhancing ingredients like vitamin B6, Magnesium and Tryptophan which gets converted into serotonin that keeps the negative thoughts away.
So, the next time you feel hungry, instead of grabbing those processed foods, have a handful of cashews. It is not only delicious but its beneficial properties are innumerable.
Also Read: Importance Of Almond In Your Daily Diet