Cashew: Harm And Benefit

What is cashew? Cashew: benefit and harm. Properties and side effects of cashew, read in this article.

Cashew (western cashew, Indian nut) is the seed of the tree of the same name, whose homeland is Brazil. They are often mistakenly classified as nuts because they have similar properties and are used in cooking in the same way. But for allergy sufferers who cannot tolerate nuts, the differences are more than obvious: an allergy to nuts does not mean intolerance to cashews. Read more about the properties, as well as the harm and benefit of cashews, in this article.

Cashew - a plant with "oddities"

Native Americans used cashews as a food source long before the plant was discovered by European explorers. And only after these strange sickle-shaped seeds got to Europe, their large-scale distribution began. However, the main producer and supplier of cashews was and remains India.

The cashew tree is quite tall (up to 12 meters), but from afar it resembles a small shrub because it grows low to the ground. Cashew is a rather fragile plant and in the absence of heat and moisture it quickly withers. It grows quite quickly and blooms two or three times a year. Soon the yellow-pink flowers fall, and very strange fruits appear in their place.

Currently, cashews are grown in 32 countries of the world.

Cashew seeds (keep calling them nuts if you want) are in a shell and attached to a large, fleshy apple. Cashew apples are also edible and taste good. But let's return to the seeds themselves, they are more popular in our region.

In India, fenny liquor is made from cashews, the strength of which exceeds 40 degrees.

The seeds containing the seeds are very poisonous. To avoid rashes and other negative consequences, cashew factory workers even protect their hands in the process of extracting its edible part. And only when all the procedures are completed and the seeds are cleaned, we get nutritious, tasty and very useful cashews, which are valued all over the world.

 

Composition of cashew nuts

100 g of cashew nuts contains:

• carbohydrates - 30.19 g;
• protein - 18.22 g;
• fats - 43.85 g;
• cholesterol - 0 g;
• food fibers - 3.3 m;
• energy value – 553 kcal;
• pyridoxine - 0.417 mg;
• thiamine - 0.423 mg;
• vitamin E (tocopherol) – 5.31 mg;
• folate - 25 micrograms;
• calcium - 37 mg;
• mineral magnesium - 292 mg;
• copper - 2.195 mg;
• potassium - 660 mg;
• sodium - 12 mg;
• manganese - 1.655 mg.

 

Benefits of cashews for the body

The nutritional value of cashews given above should be enough to include this product in your diet. The seeds are a good source of monounsaturated fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. But in order to appreciate all the benefits of cashews for health, it is necessary to consider their impact on each system of our body.

Heart and blood vessels. About 75% of the fat contained in cashews is unsaturated fatty acids. And most of them contain oleic acid, a substance that normalizes the work of the heart and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetes . When monounsaturated fats enter the body, the level of triglycerides in the blood normalizes. Triglycerides are derivatives of glycerol, which are the main source of energy for all cells in our body. However, when the level of triglycerides rises above the norm (starting from 1.13 mmol/l), the risk of developing atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction appears. It is also important to consider the level of cholesterol. If cholesterol is normal, even with a high level of triglycerides, the risk of stroke decreases. Therefore, consumption of cashews is especially important for diabetics.

Gallstone disease. A study based on the data of 80 thousand women proved that a handful of cashews a day reduces the risk of gallstones or bile ducts by 25%.

Weight control . Often people avoid cashews for fear of spoiling them. However, a study conducted and published in the journal with the symbolic name "Obesity" proves the opposite. People who consume nuts at least 2 times a week have less risk of gaining excess weight, compared to those who refuse this product. We will also remind you that cashews do not contain cholesterol.

Dental health . Cashew nuts destroy the bacteria responsible for tooth decay, gum disease, etc.

Antioxidants . Cashews are antioxidants and help eliminate all free radicals that destroy cell membranes, making them vulnerable to many diseases, including cancer.

Magnesium . Thanks to magnesium, cashews eliminate high blood pressure, headaches, fatigue, muscle spasms and migraines. In addition, magnesium controls the delivery of calcium to the nervous system, thereby ensuring its smooth functioning.

Copper . Also, cashews contain enough copper, which is responsible for the production of melanin (the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair). Also, copper participates in the development of bone and connective tissue, and prevents the development of arthritis, arthrosis and other diseases of bones and joints.

 

Cashews are bad for the body

Delicious nuts with a delicate texture and a long track record also have some side effects.

Weight gain. Just because nuts help with weight control doesn't mean you can't get better from them. It's a matter of quantity. No matter what, a serving of cashews (one small handful) contains 163 calories and 13.1 g of fat. This should be taken into account when planning your daily diet. Yes, a diet with a high fat content was recognized as useful, but in a "high" and not "excessive" way. Even though the fats in cashews are healthy, they can lead to weight gain if you eat too much and often.

Allergy. The results of one scientific study, published in the October 2005 issue of the Archives of Childhood Diseases, suggest that cashew allergies are particularly dangerous. This type of allergy carries a higher risk of anaphylactic shock than other nut allergies. As you know, such a reaction of the body can be fatal. Any complications (urticaria, rash, itching, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea), and especially breathing problems, require immediate response. Read more about this in the article: Emergency help for food allergies.

Blood pressure. While cashews themselves contain practically no sodium (only 12 mg per 100 g), most ready-made products are sold already salted. One serving of salted cashews can contain up to 181 mg of sodium. As you know, exceeding the daily norm of salt - 1500 mg - leads to drops in blood pressure and hypertension.

Headaches. If you suffer from cephalgia or migraine, make sure that cashews are not the cause. Otherwise, it is better not to use them. These nuts contain amino acids such as tyramine and phenethylamine, which help maintain normal blood pressure levels and ensure good health. However, sensitivity to these amino acids can be the cause of headache attacks.