Cashews: Nutrition And Health Benefits You Did Not Know About

India is well known for its spices all over the world. In fact, the invasion of India began when the traders sought an opportunity to enter the country for spices and realized the amazing land that produced the best quality spices and nuts. 

The same is the case with countries such as Brazil, Nigeria, Vietnam, etc. All these countries are well known for their production of the best quality spices and condiments, and perhaps the most important of them all are cashews. 

Cashews are nuts that grow majorly in the aforementioned countries and are one of the highest exported nuts from these countries as well. Cashew from India, Brazil, Vietnam and the Ivory coast is sought to be the best in the world in quality and taste. Cashew nut is one of the most important types of nuts in the hierarchy and is used in many different ways for cooking and as snacks. 

Cashew – Nutritional Facts

Cashew nuts grow in countries such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, etc, because of the tropical and wet weather that these areas have. Cashews require high altitude, high rainfall and generally warm weather to grow. Perennial rains are excellent for these plants but never in high quantities. 

Low temperatures are also not suitable for the good growth of cashews. Brazil is the native country for cashew nuts as they grow aplenty in its terrain. The cashews from Brazil are considered to be one of the best in terms of quality. India and Vietnam, and the Ivory coast make up the next biggest producers of good-quality cashews. 

Cashew is full of healthy cholesterol, which is the good kind of fat that everyone must consume. Healthy fats are an important part of daily diet and help maintain heart and brain health. Healthy fats help in improving the health of the body by helping in the development of cells and muscles. 

Nutritionally speaking, cashew consists of many important ingredients such as Iron, Calcium, Fibre, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and small micro constituents of many vital nutrients as well such as Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Niacin, Riboflavin, Vit B6 etc. The list of vital nutrients in both macros and micros is long for cashew nuts.

Cashews are mistaken by the general public and are deemed to be high in cholesterol and thus avoided by many. This is, in fact, a myth as cashews do not cause cholesterol but, in fact, can prevent them. Cashews only consist of high-density lipoproteins, which are good fats. 

Over-consumption of cashews or fatty food in general is the main cause of cholesterol. Cashews are full of amazing benefits for the body and consist of excellent micronutrients that are essential for bones, heart, brain, muscles, skin and general health and wellbeing. 

Health Benefits of Cashews

  • Good Fats

Good fats or HDL (High-Density Lipoproteins) are an important part of the diet and are required for healthy muscle and the development of the nervous system.

  • Anti-oxidants

Cashews are excellent antioxidant agents and help with anti-aging benefits in the body and prevent cell degeneration, and may even prevent cancer.

  • Healthy Brain

Cashews are great for brain development and brain functions as it helps brain cell maintenance and wellbeing. 

  • Bone development

Cashews are rich in calcium and help with healthy bone development in kids and women during pregnancy. It helps to maintain bone density and healthy upkeep.